U.S. Army Corps of Engineers responds to Wilmington Dredging objections by NCDEQ

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responding to a decision made by the Department of Environmental Quality about the Wilmington Harbor Dredging project.

The project would dredge the harbor and channel leading into the Port of Wilmington, allowing larger ships that would make the port more competitive with other ports like Norfolk and Charleston.

The public has given feedback on the project in recent months.

NCDEQ announced on Wednesday its objection, saying the Corps has not adequately considered the dredging’s impact on forever chemicals, flooding, and other issues.

Colonel Brad Morgan, district commander for the Wilmington district of the Army Corps of Engineers, said the corps is reviewing DEQ’s objections.

“We acknowledge receipt of their objection letter, all 15 pages of it,” Morgan said. “The team is currently going through that now line by line to, you now, assess and decipher their specific comments and concerns regarding this conditioning authorized project. We stand behind, you know, the collaborative technical and engineering analysis that we put forth within our draft and environmental impact statement.”

A spokesperson for North Carolina Ports sent a statement saying:

“The North Carolina State Ports Authority values the work of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and respects the concerns raised in this objection. We also appreciate the continued support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as we review the content of this letter and determine next steps. Regardless of the path forward, we will continue to deliver on our mission to enhance North Carolina’s economy by serving as a gateway to global markets.”