On January 18, 2005, the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SPA) Board of Directors authorized Applied Technology and Management to proceed with the scope of work for development of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The information gathered during the preparation of the EIS will be used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District to evaluate the SPA’s proposal to construct a marine container terminal at the Charleston Naval Complex. The Corps will evaluate the potential impact of the proposed activity on both the community and the natural environment. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the Corps will also evaluate a range of reasonable and practicable alternatives to the proposed project that may avoid or minimize potential impacts.

The studies described in the scope of work will evaluate concerns identified during the scoping process such as potential impacts to transportation, air quality, water quality, wetlands and other natural resources, navigation and quality of life. One example of a study that is included in the scope of work is the Access Roadway Feasibility Study for the Proposed Alternative. This study will identify and evaluate potential transportation infrastructure improvements between I-26 and the proposed marine container terminal that will meet the needs of the SPA.

Prior to the publication of the Draft EIS, the Corps plans to hold a public meeting to discuss the findings of the first phase of the Access Roadway Feasibility Study and the other environmental studies. This meeting is scheduled to be held in May 2005. The date, time and location of the public meeting will be announced at this website, via U.S. Mail to the project mailing list, through community leaders and in the quarterly PortEIS Newsletter.

The Corps has already begun work on the studies described in the scope of work in order to meet the revised project schedule. The draft EIS is anticipated to be published in October 2005 with a Record of Decision in August 2006.

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