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DEQ and Army Corps pause Wilmington Harbor federal review; council defers resolution to Feb. 3
Summary
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers asked for a pause in the federal consistency review of the proposed Wilmington Harbor channel deepening project; council deferred action on its resolution to Feb. 3 to allow staff to review new information.
The Wilmington City Council paused consideration of a resolution on the proposed Wilmington Harbor federal channel deepening project after the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) informed the city that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the State Ports Authority requested a pause in DCMs review.
Kara Spencer read a DEQ communication into the record stating that the Division of Coastal Management has granted the pause at the Corps' request to allow time for additional information and court considerations. The DEQ notice said a timeline has not been established for when the pause may be lifted; it described the Corps' draft environmental impact statement as proposing to deepen and widen portions of the Wilmington Harbor navigation channel in Brunswick and New Hanover counties to accommodate larger vessels.
Council members discussed whether to pass the resolution immediately or wait for any concessions that might emerge from the negotiations. Staff advised that there is no immediate action required and recommended continuing the item to allow the city to receive and review the new information. Council member Ray moved to continue the matter to the Feb. 3 meeting; Council member Quintana seconded and the council voted unanimously to defer the resolution.
Provenance: Item introduced SEG 790; DEQ communication read SEG 1034—1065; continuance motion and vote SEG 1176—1192.
