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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-11 ILM Chamber 403 Project Response Letter Wilmington Cannot Call Itself the Port City and Ignore Its Port March 9, 2026 Natalie English President and CEO, Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Wilmington proudly refers to itself as the Port City. It is one of several nicknames that reflect our history, our waterfront and our connection to the Cape Fear River. But being the Port City requires more than a label. It requires a commitment to maintaining the harbor infrastructure that keeps our port competitive. Recently, the N.C. Division of Coastal Management issued an objection to the Wilmington Harbor Navigation Improvement Project, the proposed effort to deepen our harbor from 42 to 47 feet. Because this issue is complex, technical and highly consequential for our region, it is important to provide context about why the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce has been engaged, what is at stake and why this project matters. The Port of Wilmington is one of North Carolina’s most important economic assets. It supports thousands of direct and indirect jobs across transportation, logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, agriculture and retail. It connects North Carolina businesses to global markets and serves as a critical gateway for imports and exports moving through our state’s supply chain network. The economic impact extends far beyond New Hanover County. For that reason, support for ongoing and future phases of the Wilmington Harbor Navigation Improvement Project remains a clear priority in the Chamber’s Advocacy and Legislative Agenda at the federal, state and local levels. Maintaining the Port’s competitiveness is not a short-term initiative. It is a long-term economic strategy. At a recent meeting of the Ports, Waterways and Beaches Commission, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers outlined several important findings after more than three years of study and environmental review. The project would preserve approximately 550 acres of high-quality freshwater wetlands and enhance an additional 120 acres on Eagle Island while also removing 120 acres of invasive plant species (phragmites). The Corps reported a cost-benefit ratio of 1.3 with projected shipping cost savings of up to 23 percent per 12,500 TEU vessel. Accommodating larger vessels would also mean fewer ships traveling up the Cape Fear River, which could result in comparable or reduced bottom disturbance and erosion. The Corps also addressed concerns related to groundwater and salinity. Using one of the most sophisticated groundwater models available and working with national experts, the analysis concluded that dredging would not introduce new salinity flows into regional aquifers. In fact, groundwater naturally flows toward the river. The most significant factor influencing aquifer conditions remains groundwater pumping. Additional mitigation measures would improve fish passage upstream at Cape Fear Locks and Dams 1 and 2, with mitigation benefits expected to exceed potential impacts. This work did not happen overnight. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted extensive environmental analysis through the Draft Environmental Impact Statement process, coordinated with federal and state agencies, convened technical working groups and incorporated multiple rounds of public input. We respect the Division of Coastal Management’s responsibility to protect coastal resources. Environmental stewardship is a shared priority for our community. Many of our members live and work along the lower Cape Fear River and understand the importance of protecting water quality and sensitive habitats. However, raising significant objections at this late stage after years of technical collaboration and environmental review creates uncertainty around a project that has been carefully studied. Infrastructure projects of this scale require long-term planning and predictability. When uncertainty is introduced late in the process, it can slow investment, complicate logistics planning and signal instability in an intensely competitive marketplace. Ports operate in a highly competitive environment. Shipping lines make decisions based on efficiency, reliability and cost. If Wilmington cannot accommodate larger, fully loaded vessels, cargo will shift to other East Coast ports that are prepared to do so. History offers a cautionary example. Georgetown, South Carolina once operated a thriving port that contributed significantly to its regional economy. As shipping patterns changed and dredging was not prioritized, activity steadily declined. Without sufficient channel depth and sustained investment, cargo moved elsewhere. Today, Georgetown’s port is largely inactive, and the community faces costly redevelopment challenges. Ports rarely decline overnight. They decline gradually when critical infrastructure improvements are delayed or deferred. This is not an argument for ignoring environmental concerns. It is an argument for resolving them thoughtfully and efficiently. North Carolina has repeatedly demonstrated that economic growth and environmental stewardship can move forward together. The Chamber supports continued good faith collaboration between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Division of Coastal Management and the North Carolina Ports Authority to clarify remaining technical questions and move toward resolution. Wilmington’s future competitiveness depends on maintaining the infrastructure that supports our economy. The Port of Wilmington is not simply a local asset. It is a statewide engine of commerce and opportunity. If we intend to remain the Port City, we must also be willing to invest in the port that makes that identity possible. We call on statewide leaders and elected officials to work with the DEQ and the North Carolina Ports Authority to resolve this objection and keep the Wilmington Harbor Navigation Improvement Project moving forward. We also encourage members of the business community across North Carolina to make their voices heard. If your company relies on efficient supply chains, global markets or the jobs supported by our port, now is the time to engage. Contact your legislators, share why the Port of Wilmington matters to your business and urge continued support for this critical infrastructure investment.