Wilmington Harbor Deepening

an environmentally damaging project

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) plans to expand the Wilmington Harbor by deepening the port from 42 to 47 feet. The expansion poses significant risks to the environment, especially to our wetlands, bird islands, fish nurseries without clear economic benefit to our area. The project also risks increasing exposure to toxic sediment, including PFAS and worsens our water quality. The NC Sierra Club is partnering with multiple organizations to block this project & we need your help - learn more & take ACTION below.

NC Coastal Federation & Coalition Partners for Details & ACTION

Additional Opportunity for Public Comments - N.C. Division of Coastal Management

Following the Public Hearing on Nov 17th the N.C. Division of Coastal Management (DCM) the focus being the Draft Environmental Impact (DEIS) submitted by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) the DCM is now accepting letters addressing this topic.

The primary objective is for the DCM to determine whether the proposed project, as presented in the DEIS is "consistent" with the DCM's coastal management program. However, the DEIS exposes a plan that is fundamentally inconsistent with DCM's charter "... among NC's most valuable resources are it's coastal lands and waters ... which should be preserved and protected".

Cape Fear Sierra Club now encourages all members and followers to submit a letter addressing this urgent matter to the DCM before 5pm, December 20th. If you do not have the time to write and submit (via email) your personal letter you are most welcome to submit the 'Sample Letter to DCM by CFSC' (see adjacent box). 

Be sure to include your name and address when submitting the attached letter, or your own letter, via email or direct mail.

Numbers make a difference!

Thank you in advance for your support.

Written comments should be mailed to Federal Consistency Coordinator, 400 Commerce Avenue, Morehead City, NC, 28557, or by email to Federalconsistencycomments@deq.nc.gov.  Please put “Federal Consistency: USACE Wilmington Harbor 403 Navigation Project” in the email subject line (use the link to the right for a pre-addressed email).

Impacts on Communities, Economy, and Resilience
Impacts to Fisheries + Water Quality
USACOE Interactive Site
What You Need to Know
Sample Letter to DCM by CFSC
Send Email
The Economics of the Wilmington Harbor Expansion
Fact Sheet/Talking Points

Open Letters from Engineer Brayton Willis

Detailing significant concerns of this project including those ignored in the EIS, like PFAS contamination

Willis on Port FLooding Effects
Willis on alternative port locations to meet NEPA
Willis Op Ed
Willis on Port EIS, PFAS
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