Feasibility Study

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Navigation Feasibility Study

Updated March 2008

Click Here For a Printable Version

The Port of Palm Beach is the Local Sponsor for a federal study to assess the need for channel expansion. The study, called the Palm Beach Harbor Navigation Feasibility Study, is being conducted by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District. The study was initiated in late 2005, but was unable to proceed due to a lack of federal funds. New cost sharing agreements between the Port and USACE are now allowing the study to commence.

About the Study

The Palm Beach Harbor Navigation Feasibility Study will assess the costs and benefits associated with improvements to the federally-designated deep water channel and turning basins serving the Port of Palm Beach. The success of the Port is dependent upon deep water access through the federal channel. The current channel depths were established approximately 40 years ago and the Port is increasingly losing business opportunities as a result of channel limitations. The study will analyze alternatives to improve access for the existing fleet and also to allow for increased vessel length and draft, while avoiding or minimizing impacts to environmental resources. 

The Feasibility Study is expected to take three years to complete and is a cost shared by the Federal Government and the Port of Palm Beach (known as the non-Federal sponsor). The study will include in-depth analysis of engineering, environmental and economic issues associated with channel widening and deepening to improve vessel access and navigational safety, and will also include extensive public and agency coordination at the local, state and federal levels. A complete Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared as part of the Feasibility Study. 

The culmination of the planning process is the selection of the recommended plan or the decision to take no action. The alternative plan that reasonably maximizes net economic benefits consistent with protecting the Nation's environment, the National Economic Development (NED) plan, shall be selected. The NED plan will be recommended for consideration by Congress as authorized modifications to the federal harbor project.

Background

An Expedited Reconnaissance Report conducted in 2001 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) concluded that, based on preliminary findings, there was a federal interest in pursuing harbor improvements. In August of 2005, the Port of Palm Beach District and USACE executed an agreement to partner in the Feasibility Study to further define the federal interest in harbor expansion. The study was stalled when a federal appropriation bill was not passed by Congress in 2006; however, a modification to the agreement is now allowing the study to begin using the Port’s funding share.

Public Input

The Feasibility Study will encourage public input at several key stages in the study process. The first major public meeting, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Scoping Meeting, was held on January 9^th, 2008, 3:00 p.m. at the Port of Palm Beach.  The scoping meeting is held at the beginning of the study process to provide the public information about the study and to solicit input on issues and concerns regarding the study scope. A summary of the meeting and related materials are available on the United States Army Corps of Engineers website at:   http://planning.saj.usace.army.mil/envdocs/envdocsb.htm#Palm-Beach.

Channel Improvement Alternatives

The graphic entitled “Study Areas for Potential Improvements,” is provided at the link below. This graphic shows the conceptual channel improvement alternatives for the study, based on input from the Port, Palm Beach Harbor Pilots, and existing port users. The Feasibility Study process requires that all alternatives be considered and evaluated. During the Feasibility Study analysis, a given alternative may be eliminated or modified because of impacted environmental resources, insufficient national economic benefits, engineering practicability and/or lack of real navigation improvement or safety. Additional improvement alternatives may also be added to the study as a result of user and public input.

For a PRINTABLE version of the above image, click here.

Schedule

A tentative schedule of milestone dates has been developed and is provided below. The schedule is a working document and will be updated throughout the project with special attention towards creating opportunities for public input.

For More Information

For questions, concerns or additional information, please contact Mr. Rick McMillen direct by clicking on his name for his email address.

For a printable version of this study, please click here. Requires Adobe Reader.

For a printable version of the graphic only, please click here. Requires Adobe Reader.

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