The entire Alabama congressional delegation has endorsed the modernization of the Mobile Harbor Federal Navigation Channel. This is one of the largest proposed economic development projects in the state.
The Alabama lawmakers submitted their comments to the Mobile District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers supporting the Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) identified in the Draft Mobile Harbor, Mobile, Alabama Integrated General Reevaluation Report (GRR) with Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).
U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, led the delegation letter. The letter was signed by Senator Shelby, U.S. Senator Doug Jones, D-Alabama, along with U.S. Representatives: Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, Mike Rogers, R-Saks, Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, Terri Sewell, D-Selma, Bradley Byrne, R-Montrose, and Gary Palmer, R-Hoover.
Due to increased vessel size and channel transit inefficiencies issues, the federal Mobile Harbor Channel is currently undergoing a GRR by the Corps to deepen and widen its navigation channel. The TSP identified in the Draft GRR/SEIS recommends deepening the existing channels by 5 feet, incorporating bend easings in the Bar Channel, widening the Bay Channel from 400 feet to 500 feet for 3 nautical miles, and expanding the Choctaw Pass Turning Basin to better accommodate the safe turning of large vessels. The GRR is currently on schedule to conclude in November 2019.
The delegation’s letter reads in part, “Modernizing the capabilities of one of the nation’s largest seaports will spur exponential economic investment by allowing larger ships and more goods to be shipped and sold, facilitating and expanding commerce. We believe that the TSP accomplishes these goals in a manner that is economically and environmentally responsible, and encourage the Corps to move forward to attain the Agency Decision Milestone and to expeditiously deepen and widen the federal channel.”
“The deepening and widening of the Port of Mobile will provide economic development opportunities throughout the entire state of Alabama,” said Senator Shelby. “This project will create an avenue for exponential growth by facilitating and expanding commerce in the state. I look forward to continuing our work with the Corps as we strive to improve the safety and efficiency of the Port in an increasingly global marketplace.”
“Alabama is a trade state and the modernization of the Port of Mobile is key to our economic future,” said Senator Jones. “I’m proud to join Senator Shelby and my colleagues in fighting for Alabama farmers and businesses and supporting their efforts to secure new opportunities brought by a wider, deeper port. This is an important step forward in our efforts to maximize the competitive advantage of Alabama’s farmers, shippers, and manufacturers.”
“While the Port of Mobile might seem like a long way from the 4th Congressional District in North Alabama, it is vitally important to the area I serve. Two large rivers in the 4th District, the Coosa and the Black Warrior, both flow into Mobile Bay, making the bay and these two rivers critically important for the economy of my district and our entire state,” said Representative Aderholt.
“I support the Port of Mobile and was pleased to sign on to Senator Shelby’s letter to the Army Corps. In my congressional district, both the agriculture and automobile industries will greatly benefit from the modernization,” said Representative Rogers.
“I appreciate Senator Shelby’s leadership on this important issue, and am always pleased to work with the Alabama delegation,” said Representative Brooks. “As the 10th largest seaport in the United States, the Port of Mobile is a huge economic driver for our state, and I fully support efforts to modernize and improve the capabilities of this vital port.”
“The Port of Mobile is vitally important to economic growth throughout the State of Alabama and the surrounding region,” said Representative Roby. “I am pleased to support this effort to make more resources available as we work to expand the capabilities of this seaport. I am proud to work alongside Senator Shelby and the rest of Alabama’s congressional delegation to invest in and support our growing economy and its future needs.”
“Investments in Alabama’s trade infrastructure give our state a competitive advantage in today’s global marketplace,” said Representative Sewell. “I am proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to invest in infrastructure projects that bring better jobs and better wages to our state. The Port of Mobile is an economic engine in Alabama, and the plan drafted by the Army Corps of Engineers would modernize its facilities, expand commerce, and secure our port’s future.”
“The Port of Mobile is critical to Southwest Alabama, but it plays just as important a role throughout the rest of our state,” said Representative Byrne. “The deepening and widening project will greatly expand the capabilities at the Port and the overall economic potential – meaning a win for all of us. I appreciate the work Senator Shelby and our Alabama delegation has put in to move the project forward, and I will continue working with stakeholders at all levels to ensure the project remains on track.”
According to the port of Mobile’s website, the state’s only deep-water port is responsible for 134,608 direct and indirect jobs, $486.9 million in direct and indirect tax impact, and total economic value of $22.4 billion.
