Another step forward for PortMiami dredge project

The agreement was reached after meetings were held to discuss how the County could best support the goals and objectives of the environmental community and they resulted in the County agreeing to provide funding to the County’s Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund managed by the County’s Department of Permitting, Environment and Regulatory Affairs. The County is also donating funds to the non-profit groups Tropical Audubon Society and Biscayne Bay Waterkeeper for projects designed to protect and restore Biscayne Bay.

Given that these funds would support environmental projects, the petitioners agreed to withdraw their opposition to the issuance of a Florida Department of Environmental Protection permit to allow the US Army Corps of Engineers to move forward with the construction phase of the dredge project. These funds are in addition to the regulatory and environmental monitoring and mitigation requirements that are part of the state permitting process.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez commended the groups for reaching an agreement that will allow the Port to proceed with the deepening of its channel to -50 feet to accommodate larger container cargo vessels.