Corps and Port Authorities Host Public Meeting for New Haven Harbor Navigation Project; Full Study Expected in April

In January, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District, the Connecticut Port Authority, and the New Haven Port Authority held a public information meeting on the status of the New Haven Harbor Navigation Improvement Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in New Haven, Connecticut. The Corps and the Connecticut and New Haven port authorities provided a status update on the study and allowed the public an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments.   

The study is considering navigation improvements, including deepening and widening the federal navigation channel. Inadequate channel depths result in navigation inefficiencies in transporting goods into and out of the harbor. Deeper and wider navigation features (main channel, maneuvering area, and turning basin) are needed, the Corps said.

The feasibility study will coordinate a workable solution to the navigation inefficiencies at New Haven Harbor, including analyzing various incremental channel depths and widths based upon net economic benefits and design requirements for deeper draft vessels. In addition, the study will evaluate various dredged material disposal alternatives such as beneficial use (e.g., oyster habitat and marsh creation, beach nourishment, historic disposal mound capping, nearshore placement), open water placement, and upland placement.

The Draft Integrated Feasibility Report/Environmental Impact Statement (IFR/EIS) is scheduled to be completed in April 2018 and will be available for public review and comment.