SC Ports – Harbor Deepening Project Status
December 5, 2011
CHARLESTON, SC – December 2, 2011 – Charleston Harbor has been a key economic driver for more than 300 years. With the deepest water in the region today, Charleston offers a maintained harbor of -45 feet (13.7 meters) of depth at mean low tide throughout the main shipping channel and -47 feet (14.3 m) in the entrance channel. A five to six foot tidal lift provides even deeper access for several hours during the day.
In addition to having deep water now, the Port of Charleston is advancing a next-generation harbor deepening project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the project’s reconnaissance study in the summer of 2010 and determined that there is not only a federal interest in the further deepening of Charleston Harbor, but also that it was most likely the best value for scarce public dollars. The project is currently in the feasibility phase, with a commitment from the Corps to an accelerated time frame.
Project Status
The post-45-foot feasibility study examines the economic benefits and environmental impacts of the deepening project and determines what depth would be recommended for construction. The South Carolina Ports Authority has signed the cost-sharing agreement with the Corps and has agreed to accelerate its half of the study cost to the Corps to initiate the work. The Ports Authority will provide around $2 million to the Corps for ongoing work in fiscal year 2012.
Scoping is now underway for the post-45 project, and you can submit your comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. To be added to the South Carolina Ports Authority’s email distribution for harbor deepening news, please contact [email protected].
Reconnaissance Study Completed.
• Study cost of $100,000 was funded 100% by federal government
• Reconnaissance Report approved July 30, 2010
• Identified federal interest in proceeding with detailed Feasibility Study
• Report: Preliminary studies at other nearby harbors show that Charleston Harbor would probably be the cheapest South Atlantic harbor to deepen to 50 feet.
Feasibility Study Underway.
• Estimated at $18- to 20-million study, funded 50/50 by the Corps and the South Carolina Ports Authority
• Feasibility Cost-Sharing Agreement (FCSA) between SCPA and Corps signed on June 20, 2011
• Signed amendment for SCPA to accelerate funding and keep project on track
• Initial Scope of Work has been developed
• Information gathering continues
• Public comment underway; scoping meeting December 13
Links and Documents
Submit Your Comments on the Project
Post-45 Project Site (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
South Carolina Mayors Support Charleston Harbor Deepening (PDF)
List of Deepening Supporters and Allies (PDF)
