Congressman Jack Kingston - First District of Georgia

Washington, D.C., Nov 16 -

Completion of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP) is closer to becoming a reality today as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The $40 million study, which is the most extensive study of the Savannah River estuary, outlines the Corps’ strategy for avoiding impacts to the ecosystem surrounding the project as proposes mitigation for any impacts which cannot be avoided.

“This study is an important step in what has been a long process,” said Kingston.  “With it, we can move forward with public comment and agency review and move closer toward getting dredging underway.  The expansion of Savannah’s harbor will remain one of my top priorities.  Completion of the project will ensure the economic viability and continued growth of our area, our state and the nation as a whole.”

The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project will deepen the Savannah River from its current depth of 42 feet to as much as 48 feet in anticipation of larger ships that will begin passing through the Panama Canal in 2014.  These larger vessels have already begun calling on U.S. East and Gulf Coasts.

At present, the Port of Savannah is the fastest growing and fourth largest container port in the nation.  It is responsible for moving 8.3 percent of the U.S. containerized cargo volume and more than 18 percent of all East Coast container trade in FY 2010 according to the Georgia Ports Authority.

“This project – one of the most important and productive civil works projects in the country – will maintain and create jobs and commerce throughout the nation, while significantly reducing transportation costs for U.S. shippers,” said GPA’s Chairman of the Board Alec L. Poitevint. “As the Southeast’s gateway to the world, our harbor must be able to accommodate these vessels without tidal restrictions in order to efficiently serve global commercial demands.”