Meeting Held on New Haven Harbor Navigation Improvement Feasibility Study

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District and the New Haven Port Authority held a public information meeting for the New Haven Harbor Navigation Improvement Feasibility Study and Environment Impact Statement (EIS) on January 24, 2017.

The public scoping meeting was for the EIS being prepared as part of the feasibility study.

In response to a resolution of the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works dated July 31, 2007, USACE is conducting a feasibility study and Environmental Impact Statement to examine navigation-improvements to the existing New Haven Harbor Federal Navigation Project.

The non-Federal sponsor for the study is the New Haven Port Authority in partnership with the Connecticut State Port Authority.

According to the Corps, inadequate channel depths result in navigation inefficiencies in transporting goods into and out of the harbor. To reach the terminals, larger ships must lighter outside the breakwaters and/or experience delays while waiting for favorable tide conditions, or both. Deeper and wider navigation features (main channel, maneuvering area, and turning basin) are needed to increase the navigation efficiency and safety of New Haven Harbor.

The feasibility study will identify, evaluate, and recommend to decision-makers an appropriate, coordinated and workable solution to the navigation inefficiencies at New Haven Harbor.

Alternatives will include analyzing various incremental channel depths and widths based upon need, as well as alternative dredging methodologies. In addition, the study will evaluate various dredged material disposal alternatives such as beneficial use (e.g., marsh creation, beach nourishment, historic disposal mound capping, nearshore placement), open water placement, and upland placement.