Corps Seeks Comments on Port of Long Beach Deep Draft Navigation Study
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District has completed a Draft Integrated Feasibility Report (IFR) and Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for the Port of Long Beach Deep Draft Navigation Feasibility Study located in the City of Long Beach, California.
The purpose of the Port of Long Beach Deep Draft Navigation Study is to identify, evaluate and improve existing navigation channels within the Port of Long Beach (POLB) to improve conditions for current and future container and liquid bulk vessel operations and safety, in the event of vessel malfunction or weather-related events. The proposed project is located at Port of Long Beach federal channels and berths serving Pier J and Pier T/West Basin. The proposed project deepens existing federal channels and builds a new federal channel and turning basin by dredging and disposing up to approximately 7.4 million cubic yards of sediment. Construction would begin in 2024 and is anticipated to take approximately 39 months to complete.
The proposed project, which will be undertaken jointly by the Corps and the POLB, would deepen the entrance to the Main Channel (the Approach Channel through Queens Gate) to a depth of -80 feet (ft) mean lower low water (MLLW), widen portions of the Main Channel (bend easing) to a depth of -76 ft MLLW, construct an approach channel and turning basin to Pier J South to a depth of -55 ft MLLW, and deepen portions of the West Basin and West Basin Approach to a depth of -55 ft MLLW. The POLB would also deepen two additional locations within the harbor to a depth of -55 ft MLLW: the Pier J Slip, including berths J266-J270, and berth T140 on Pier T. Structural improvements will also be performed on the Pier J breakwaters at the entrance of the Pier J Slip to accommodate deepening of the Pier J Slip and Approach Channel to -55 ft MLLW.
The draft IFR EIS/EIR review period ends December 9. Written comments on the IFR EIS/EIR can be submitted via email to POLB@usace.army.mil and should include the project title (Port of Long Beach Deep Draft Navigation Study) in the subject line of the email address. Comments can also be sent via mail to: Eduardo T. De Mesa, Chief, Planning Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, ATTN: Mr. Larry Smith, EESPL-PDR-Q, 915 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 930, Los Angeles, CA 90017-3849.
The Draft IFR EIS/EIR is available for review at the following locations:
Billie Jean King Main Library
200 West Broadway
Long Beach, California 90802
Port of Long Beach Administration Building
Environmental Planning Division, 7th Floor
415 West Ocean Boulevard
Long Beach, California 90802
Wilmington Branch Library
1300 North Avalon Boulevard
Wilmington, California 90744
San Pedro Regional Branch Library
931 Gaffey Street
San Pedro, California 90731
Two public meetings will be held on Wednesday, November 13, at the Port of Long Beach Administration Building located at 415 W. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802 in the first floor Multipurpose Room (Room# 1901E). The first meeting will be from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The second meeting will be 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
