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Second Mayport project identified as possible funding source for National Emergency declaration

Jacksonville, FL — The Department of Defense has compiled a list of military construction projects that could be eliminated, reduced, or otherwise altered in order to fund the border wall, under President Trump’s National Emergency declaration.

The list includes two projects at Naval Station Mayport.

WOKV has previously reported on a more than $82.3 million budget for a Littoral Combat Ship Support Facility that could be at risk. Naval Facility Engineering Command Southeast says this project consists of a larger administrative building and parking garage to support LCS operations on the base. Mayport is a hub for one of the LCS designs, with 16 of the ships expected to call Mayport home by 2023.

The DOD list, which was released by Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) also identifies a nearly $75 million Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant on the base as something that could be affected by the need to find funding for the National Emergency declaration.

NAVFAC Southeast tells WOKV this project would upgrade the existing sewage treatment plant, to treat wastewater on the base. It would “modernize and improve” the base’s ability to treat wastewater, according to NAVFAC Southeast. The project is not currently under contract, but solicitation is ongoing. There is no timeline set for possible groundbreaking or completion, because NAVFAC Southeast says that is generally determined after the contract is awarded.

We asked what the impact would be if the project was eliminated, and NAVFAC Southeast said only that they continue to solicit the project.

The DOD list identifies all military construction projects that could be affected, which are projects that have not yet been awarded and are not slated to be awarded before September 2019. Eligible projects also must not impact housing, barracks, and dorms.

The DOD further says the list represents more funding than they expect to need as part of the $3.6 billion National Emergency declaration, so while they have highlighted all possible projects, it does not mean that all of these projects will be affected. It is not yet clear when there will be a final determination on this.

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