By Karen Robes Meeks
The public will have until October 3 to weigh in on the environmental impacts of the Port of Coos Bay’s plans to make the Federal Navigation Channel deeper and wider.
The US Army Corps of Engineers, which must sign off on the project, is putting together the environmental impact statement for the modifications, which involve deepening the channel from 37 to 45 feet and widening it from 300 to 450 feet from the channel entrance to river mile 8.2.
The public can send written comment by mail or email to the Army Corps of Engineers, which is analyzing the environmental effects of the project.
Funded through private and public funds, the $350 to $400 million project would allow for larger ships to enter the port and make navigating the channel easier.
If all the necessary permits are obtained, the port could begin dredging as soon as late 2019. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2022.
Visit www.nwp.usace.army.mil/coast/coos-bay/channel-modification for more information
