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Dredge Wheeler makes extra cycles; board hears update on Rice's whale rulemaking and potential implications
Summary
The port reported extra dredging cycles by the wheeler and heard a staff update summarizing court-ordered NOAA rulemaking regarding the Rice's whale and possible operational restrictions, while staff said the regulatory pathway and timing remain uncertain.
In the navigation report at the Oct. 20 meeting, port navigation staff said the dredge Wheeler completed an additional dredging cycle on the ship channel and was scheduled for another cycle before returning to New Orleans.
Staff (Jamie) also briefed commissioners on recent developments regarding the Rice's whale and related NOAA rulemaking. Jamie summarized litigation and subsequent regulatory work, saying the process has produced many public comments and that a court-ordered deadline was extended; staff noted possible regulatory outcomes could include transit restrictions and speed limits in portions of the Gulf of Mexico identified as Rice's whale habitat.
Jamie said the status could change and emphasized uncertainty: "We're not exactly sure where this is going, but this is what the status is as of today. Could change at the next board meeting." Jamie described NOAA as having a large volume of comments to process and noted that congressional appropriations language in the House could limit NOAA's ability to proceed.
Commissioners and staff discussed the potential operational impacts, including areas where vessel transit might be restricted and which classes of vessels could be affected. The board did not take action on regulatory matters; the briefing was informational.
What’s next: staff said it will continue to monitor NOAA’s rulemaking and report changes to commissioners as they arise; dredging operations are scheduled to continue under current plans.
