Wilmington, NC -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Wilmington District, will host a series of in-person and virtual public meetings to discuss the development of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for Morehead City Harbor and Wilmington Harbor. The recently published Notice(s) of Intent can be found below:
Wilmington Harbor NOI: Click here for link
Morehead City NOI: Click here for link
The primary purpose of these meetings is to engage with the community regarding the long-term strategy for maintaining safe, efficient navigation in North Carolina’s two federal harbor channels. The EISs will evaluate the reasonably foreseeable impacts to the environment related to proposed updates to operation and maintenance (O&M) dredging and associated activities. Updates to O&M activities are expected to improve operational flexibility by updating avoidance and minimization measures, including adjusting the timing of dredging operations. These EISs will not consider or assess any changes in channel dimensions, dredged material volumes, or dredged material placement options.
Public Meeting Schedule
Morehead City Harbor Meetings
- In-Person: Monday, June 8 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Location: Morehead City Elementary School, Media Room (3316 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC 28557)
- Virtual (Session 1): Tuesday, June 9 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
- Virtual (Session 2): Monday, June 15 | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Wilmington Harbor Meetings
- In-Person: Tuesday, June 9 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Location: Edwin A. Alderman Elementary School, Cafeteria/Multi-Purpose Room (2025 Independence Boulevard, Wilmington, NC 28403)
- Virtual (Session 1): Monday, June 15 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
- Virtual (Session 2): Tuesday, June 16 | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Meeting Purpose and Project Goals
The USACE is committed to balancing economic necessity with ecological stewardship. Key topics for discussion include:
- Environmental Compliance: Assessing impacts on the human, natural, and physical environment under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
- Navigational Safety: Ensuring channels remain navigable to support regional and state economies.
- Risk-Based Analysis: Utilizing data-driven dredging schedules to maximize operational flexibility while conserving vulnerable species.
How to Submit Comments
The scoping comment period ends June 29, 2026. There are four options available for the public to submit formal comments:
- By email to CESAW-WHOMEIS@usace.army.mil
- On the website at https://sardn-eis-sardn.hub.arcgis.com/
- At the public meetings
- By U.S. mail: Attention: Teresa Young, Environmental Resources Section, USACE Wilmington District, 69 Darlington Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403.
Comments due June 29, 2026
--30--
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS –WILMINGTON DISTRICT
69 DARLINGTON AVE, WILMINGTON, N.C. 28403
WWW.SAW.USACE.ARMY.MIL
Release no. 26-009