Corps and Port of Tacoma Hold Public Meeting on Blair Waterway Project

On January 17, officials with the Port of Tacoma and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District held a public meeting to outline the feasibility study and environmental assessment for potential improvements to the Blair Waterway. Improvements could include deepening and widening the waterway.

The Blair Waterway is authorized to -51 feet. Larger vessels have draft requirements deeper than -51 feet when fully laden, and therefore face tidal delays and other transportation inefficiencies when arriving and departing.

The general investigation feasibility study will determine whether there is a federal interest in participating in a cost-shared modification of the existing Tacoma Harbor in the interest of navigation improvements and water resource development opportunities.
At the public meeting, officials explained the scope of the study, general investigation study process and opportunities for public involvement. The Corps and Port of Tacoma sought feedback on issues the public would like analyzed during the alternatives evaluation process.