St. Johns Riverkeeper files new challenge to JAXPORT dredging

Jacksonville, FL — The St. Johns Riverkeeper is making a new push to stop JAXPORT dredging.

The complaint against the United States Army Corps of Engineers says the Corps “failed to take the required hard look at the environmental consequences” of harbor deepening and failed to provide a mitigation plan or properly analyze the need for the project, among other things.

The federal court filing says the depth of the dredging project has economic viability concerns, because portions won’t be available for federal funding. The estimated cost of dredging, according to the complaint, is $684,200,000. JAXPORT maintains that dredging is needed in order to stay competitive with newer, larger ships.

The Riverkeeper has asked a judge to declare prior studies “arbitrary, capricious and not in accordance with law”, and stop dredging until new studies are done.

“Unfortunately, the Army Corps has failed to exercise due diligence and provide the public with assurances that our river will be protected,” says Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman.

The Army Corps says they continue to work on the authorized project while closely coordinating with federal, state, and local agencies. They deferred further comment to the Department of Justice.