1998-03-09 RM Exhibits
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF
DREDGING THE CAPE FEAR RIVER
Whereas, the Cape Fear River Dredging project will impact the entire State of North
Carolina; will take eight years to complete and has three elements, including deepening the Cape
Fear River from 38 feet to 42 feet and the Ocean Bar Entrance from 40 feet to 44 feet; constructing
a 6.2 mile passing lane near the Military Ocean Terminal at Sunny Point; and deepening the channel
upriver of Memorial Bridge to 38 feet; and
Whereas, Congress authorized this project in the 1996 Water Resources Development Act
with federal funding initiated in the Fiscal 1998 Water Resources Appropriations bill, and
Whereas, the project funding which requires federal/state matching funds to support the
$350 million estimated cost of the project, with $225 million in federal funding and $75 million in
state funds; and project cost reductions to date total $50 million, with further reductions currently
being studied by the Corps of Engineers; and
Whereas; the aforementioned projects are essential to keep current business as well as
attract new customers to the State Port at Wilmington, especially container carriers; strategic
mobilization benefits the Wilmington and Military Ocean Terminal at Sunny Point; represents a
substantial investment in the State's transportation infrastructure with dividends over several
decades; and plays a significant role in the military mobilization of North Carolina and South
Carolina military installations; and
Whereas, the economic impact of the State's economy is $300 million in tax revenue and
80,000 jobs, and economic development opportunities for the State include attracting business and
industry increasingly dependent on access to global markets; and
Whereas, the dredging project will create wetlands and provide material resources for beach
renourishment, and full mitigation of any unavoidable negative environment impacts will be
conducted; and
Whereas, the Cape Fear River Deepening project has broad-based support by the North
Carolina Congressional delegation, and North Carolina public and private sector leaders and
organizations;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the New Hanover County Board of
Commissioners hereby supports the North Carolina State Ports Authority's Cape Fear River
Deepening project.
Adopted this 9th day of March 1998.
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lerk to the Board
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William A. Caster
Chairman