Port of Palm Beach – Army Corps of Engineers
Lake Worth Inlet Dredging Project
History:
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Chartered in 1915, the Port of Palm Beach is the 4th busiest container Port in Florida and one of the top 20
busiest in the U.S. One of only 16 net export ports in the United States.
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More than 1,800 vessels call on the Port of Palm Beach annually – Approximately six per day.
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The Lake Worth Inlet has been a Federal Channel since 1935. Vessels calling on the Port for commerce and
Homeland Security have the right of way.
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Last major dredging event was more than 50 years ago. Currently annual maintenance is needed.
Port and its tenants contribute $185 million in business revenue and $17.5 million in state, local taxes annually.
2,850 citizens are employed directly and indirectly by the Port of Palm Beach.
Only port with capability to export sugar and molasses from Everglades contributing the livelihood of the
communities around Lake Okeechobee.
Current vessels cannot call on Port efficiently and effectively, must wait for high tides, daylight hours.
The Project:
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Outer channel width increases from 400 to 450 ft., Inner channel width increases from 300 to 450 ft.
Channel depth increases from 35 to 39 ft.
Maximum ship length increases from 675 ft. to 720 ft.
Project cost – Approximately $88.6 Million – Of which Port of Palm Beach must pay $35M
Estimated to have a 2:1 return on investment
Project is approximately 10 years from commencement and will be scheduled to coincide with annual
maintenance dredging.
The Study:
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The $5 million, 2,200+ page feasibility study was spearheaded by the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE)
The Environmental Impact Study, as part of the ACOE study is the position of the Environmental Protection
Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, Florida Department of Environmental
Protection and Florida State Historic Preservation Office.
The entire study was reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget, a non-governmental independent
external review team.
The project has been added to the Water Resource Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) which was approved
by Congress and signed by the President. It is now awaiting appropriations.
Benefits:
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Approximately 425,000 cubic yards of beach-grade sand will be placed on beaches of Palm Beach – at Port’s expense
Maintenance dredging would be every two to three years after project complete, rather than annually.
Project will better the maneuverability of vessels, increase safety of the recreational boaters and visitors
FEWER large ships will arrive due to economies of scale and load factors.
Project will sustain current business calling on the Port as well as attract new business to the Port
Project will have an annual average benefit of $7.94M, providing stimulus for local, state and national economy.
Contact: Manuel Almira, PPM®, Executive Director, Port of Palm Beach
Tel: (561) 383-4100 Email: almira@portofpalmbeach.com PortofPalmBeach.com #DefendtheDredge
Port of Palm Beach – Army Corps of Engineers
Lake Worth Inlet Dredging Project
Environmental Impact:
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Storm Surge - National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has determined that the existing
storm surge water level for a 100-year storm event within the project vicinity can be up to 10 ft. Increasing the
width and depth of the inlet will only increase storm surge by 0.328 ft.
Manatees - According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, since the year 2,000, boats and jet
skis have been responsible for the deaths of 45 manatees in Palm Beach County, along with numerous strikes. There
has never been a report of a commercial vessel at the Port striking a manatee. Additionally, the warm water
discharge at the FPL plant in Riviera Beach is well outside the boundaries of this project.
Sea Grass - Approximately 4.5 acres of mixed sea grass beds will be impacted by the work. Neither Federal nor State
agencies have objected to the methods to mitigate proposed impacts as described in the Environmental Impact
Statement.
Please contact key decision makers and share your support for this project as part of the
WRDA Bill.
Senator Bill Nelson
Washington DC Office:
716 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5274
Email: http://www.billnelson.senate.gov/contact-bill
Palm Beach Office:
413 Clematis Street, Suite 210
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 514-0189
Senator Marco Rubio
Palm Beach Office:
Washington DC Office:
4580 PGA Blvd., Suite 201
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
Washington DC, 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3041
Phone: (561) 775-3360
Email: http://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-senator-rubio?p=Contact
Congresswoman Lois Frankel
Washington DC Office:
1037 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
phone: (202)225-9890
Email: https://frankel.house.gov/contact/email-me
Congressman Patrick Murphy
Washington DC Office:
1517 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202)225-3026
Email: http://patrickmurphy.house.gov/contact/
Palm Beach Office:
2500 N. Military Trail, Suite 490
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: (561)998-9045
Palm Beach Office
2000 PGA Blvd., Suite A3220
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33408
Phone: (561)253-8433
Contact: Manuel Almira, PPM®, Executive Director, Port of Palm Beach
Tel: (561) 383-4100 Email: almira@portofpalmbeach.com PortofPalmBeach.com #DefendtheDredge