Officials Disagree Over Need to Deepen Jacksonville Waterway

Officials are in disagreement over a plan to deepen the St Johns River so more ships can access the port in Jacksonville.

The Florida Times-Union reports a public meeting was held Tuesday night in which a port official, along with activists, debated the merits of making the waterway seven feet deeper.

Port official Joe Miller says the port needs should be open to large ships that could come after the expansion of the Panama Canal is soon completed. The Army Corps of Engineers approved the approximately $766 million dredging plan last year.

St. Johns Riverkeeper executive director Jimmy Orth disagreed with the proposal, saying the project could harm wildlife and would offer no competitive advantage for Jacksonville compared to other East Coast ports already moving more cargo.