Corps calls for 47-foot-deep Savannah River to serve GA port

The Army Corps of Engineers in Savannah recommended today that the Savannah River be deepened to 47 feet, at a cost of $652 million.

The Georgia Ports Authority said the Corps’ Environmental Impact Statement is an important milestone, and the findings strike the right balance between the needs of industry and the environment.

“Today’s announcement brings to an end 15 years of exhaustive due diligence,” said Alec Poitevint, the Georgia Ports Authority’s chairman of the board. “With this important step forward, we are closer to putting in place infrastructure that will create economic opportunities across many industries and state lines.”

Georgia had been requesting a river depth of 48 feet.

South Carolina State Ports Authority officials have repeatedly said that a depth of 47 feet would be insufficient for the planned multi-billion-dollar Jasper Ocean Terminal, and that a depth of 50 feet would be necessary. The Jasper terminal would be closer to the ocean than the Port of Savannah.

South Carolinalawmakers and environmental groups say the project, which involves dredging the river to the Port of Savannah in Garden City, would harm the environment.

Several lawsuits are working their way through state and federal courts in South Carolina, challenging permits for the dredging plan.

Reach David Slade at 937-5552 orTwitter @DSladeNews.