Two U.S. senators are developing an option to move forward on the Jacksonville Port Authority’s Mile Point project.
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida revealed Friday that he received some suggestions from U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, who chairs the Senate’s Committee on Environment and Public Works, on how to expedite the process to fix the “navigational hazard” at Mile Point.
The process would allow the port to begin construction before funding is approved.
“Sen. Boxer has answered my request for suggestions on how we might move the project along,” said Nelson.
“We can’t solve the problem the traditional way with an appropriation because of the ban on earmarks. We have to work it a different way,” he said.
In a letter to Nelson dated Sept. 14, Boxer said she appreciated his efforts to expedite the Mile Point project “because of its importance to Jacksonville and the entire state of Florida.”
She recognized that the navigational issues at Mile Point are currently being studied by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and explained how the port authority could keep the project moving while the Corps works to complete a Chief’s Report, which is critical in securing congressional authorization for the project, Boxer stated.
“Under existing law, the non-federal sponsor (Jacksonville Port Authority) is eligible to begin work on the project and receive credit against its required cost-share,” she wrote.
“This allows non-federal sponsors, in coordination with the local Corps’ District, to begin working on a project in advance of the Corps and offers an avenue for the Jacksonville Port Authority to ensure continued progress on the Mile Point project,” Boxer stated in the letter.
Boxer drew the conclusion from reviewing the Water Resources Development Act of 2007.
Mile Point is where the Intracoastal Waterway, a south-flowing body, and the St. Johns River, a north-flowing body, intersect.
The collision of the two waterways, along with varying tide levels, limits the amount of time large container ships can call on local ports.
The problem has been compared to having the bridges in Jacksonville open for only eight hours a day.
Because of the Mile Point issue, ships are limited to two four-hour windows to reach the port in Jacksonville. The cost to correct the problem is estimated at about $40 million.
“Given the navigation safety issues present, I understand the importance of making continued progress on the Mile Point project,” said Boxer.
“As this letter describes, existing law permits the Jacksonville Port Authority to begin work on some of the design and critical construction elements of the project. In addition, the Corps is able to continue with needed design work. Together, these authorities can help to advance this project in a timely manner,” she wrote
Port CEO Paul Anderson and local business leaders have been pursuing opportunities to expedite the process of adjusting Mile Point to increase shipping traffic and jobs at the port, and they met with Nelson and Boxer in April.
“It is gratifying to know that senior leaders in Congress recognize the importance of Mile Point to Northeast Florida, creating jobs and maximizing the taxpayers’ dollars. We appreciate Sen. Nelson’s vigilance and support in the U.S. Senate,” Anderson said in a statement.
“However in meetings with both Senator Boxer’s and Nelson’s staff it was emphasized that they have been informed that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will require a minimum, under optimum circumstances, of 400 days of planning, engineering and design after they issue a Chief of Engineering report scheduled for March,” he said.
“That is almost two years from now, under ‘optimal’ circumstances, and it is just not good enough for the citizens of Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. The Corps needs to be more efficient in their process to optimize this region’s economic engine,” said Anderson.
Attorney George Gabel was one of the business leaders who accompanied Anderson to meet with the staff of Nelson and Boxer in Washington, D.C., in April.
He is chairman of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s International Business Committee and chairman of the North Florida Logistics Advisory Group.
“I think Paul is accomplishing a lot for our port and I am sure that visit helped,” said Gabel.
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