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The
Alabama State Port Authority (Authority) moved one step closer to
providing Alabama industries and economic development officials with a
much needed transportation system to move containerized cargoes through
the Port of Mobile. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued on
Friday a permit to construct a wharf, container terminal and intermodal
rail yard for the proposed Choctaw Point Terminal in Mobile, Ala. The
permit also authorizes project related dredge
and
fill activities to serve the deepwater container terminal on Mobile
River. In noting the importance of Choctaw Point, Governor Bob Riley
said,
"A growing and vibrant port is crucial to keeping
Alabama's economy on track. The expansion of the container terminal
will give Alabama industries a better system to transport their products
and raw materials and help them compete in today's global economy. It
will also help us recruit new industries to the state that will generate
new jobs."
"This
announcement marks another positive step in the creation of the
intermodal terminal and enlargement of the port facilities," according
to Alabama Congressman Jo Bonner. "Numerous officials at the local,
state, and federal levels, as well as many individuals associated with
the Alabama State Port Authority, have worked tirelessly to reach this
point, and I commend the Corps of Engineers for their work in ensuring
this permit application was done in a thorough and timely manner and
with an eye towards minimizing as much as possible the impact to the
surrounding wetlands area. The intermodal facility will undoubtedly
yield immediate and positive economic results once it goes into
operation, and it will be a key component of the ongoing push to make
the Port of Mobile one of the most competitive import-export sites
anywhere in the world."
The USACE issuance of Permit
#AL101-04269-L closed out a three year, three month environmental study
process which began with the Authority’s application to the Corps and to
the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) in December
2001. A team led by Volkert & Associates, Inc., of Mobile, managed the
environmental studies and public outreach component for the proposed
project. Both the container terminal and the intermodal rail yard
propose to unavoidably impact 24.5 acres of wetlands.
Under the permit, the
Authority will create and enhance 56.6 acres of wetlands and tidal
creeks in the immediate area of the proposed terminal to compensate for
wetland and water bottom impacts. N. D. “Skeeter” McClure, IV, P.E.,
the Authority’s Project Manager for the Environmental Impact Study (EIS),
expressed his appreciation for, “the support and hard work of the
cooperating agencies for their efforts in evaluating project related
impacts and crafting the mitigation plan outlined in the Permit.” The
Proposed mitigation plan was developed under the leadership of the U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service with contributions from ADEM, the Environmental
Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries
Service, and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources. “The Authority’s board and management worked diligently with
the environmental resource agencies to minimize impacts to the aquatic
environment. The resulting mitigation plan will replace impacted
wetlands for the project with higher quality wetlands rather than seek
credits in some distant wetland bank more commonly associated with
development projects,” advised James K. Lyons, Director and CEO for the
Authority.
Also in response to public inquiries and comments obtained during the
Draft EIS public hearings and open written comment period, the Authority
committed to providing neighboring communities and the Mobile area with
attractive bay front access on Mobile Bay’s western shore. In December
2004, the Authority hired Spectrum and Associates to develop the park’s
master plan and to coordinate public involvement in the development of
the recreational area, including a public campaign to name the new bay
front park. The first public meeting on the proposed park was held on
February 22nd with nearly 100 citizens and stakeholders in
attendance.
The
USACE permit defines the project as consisting of a 2,000 foot deepwater
wharf, a container yard, an intermodal rail yard, and acreage designated
for value added distribution facilities. The Permit also provides for
storm water management, including the relocation of the Tennessee
Drain. The permit allows for the Authority to move forward on
construction of the $250 Million terminal and will facilitate ongoing
negotiations with private investors interested in terminal operations.
Jimmy Lyons added, “The permit validates the project and prospective
investment in the project. The Authority has long sought a private
investment partner to supplement the State’s financial commitment in
2000 and to attract a world class player in containerized cargo
transportation and operations to Alabama.” The $80 Million supplemental
appropriation bill to fulfill the State’s commitment for the Choctaw
Point Terminal project cleared the Alabama House of Representatives in a
96-0 vote and is pending in the Senate.
Alabama State Port Authority (http://www.asdd.com)
operates the State of Alabama’s deepwater port facilities in Mobile,
Ala. Its varied facilities handle more than 20 million tons of cargo
each year, including such general cargo as forest products, metals,
project cargo and containers, and bulk commodities such as coal and
cement. The Authority is currently in the initial phase of its $300
Million development program port wide which includes the proposed
container/intermodal transportation and distribution center at Choctaw
Point, a $30 Million expansion at the coal terminal, a $9 Million
expansion at the Pier E general cargo terminal and ongoing investments
associated with security upgrades in conjunction U.S. Homeland Security
measures. The Authority’s proposed Choctaw Point Terminal and its
general cargo and bulk facilities are located at the Port of Mobile with
immediate access to two interstate systems, five Class 1 railroads, and
nearly 15,000 miles of inland waterway connections.
Mobile! The Real Easy!
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