Charleston forwards ‘Post 45’ harbor deepening plan to OMB

The dredging project would allow the Port of Charleston, S.C. to handle cargo ships with a draft of up to 48 feet with no tidal restrictions, according to the port.    Jo-Ellen Darcy, assistant secretary of the army for civil works said she has completed her review of the “chief’s report” for deepening Charleston Harbor and it has been passed on to the Office of Management and Budget as part of the administration’s review. From there, it goes to Congress to be considered for authorization and appropriation.
   Last month the port announced Lt. General Thomas P. Bostick, chief of engineers for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, had released the report that finalized a recommendation to deepen the major shipping channels in the Port of Charleston from 48 feet to 52 feet, deepen the harbor’s entrance channel to 54 feet, and enlarge the turning basin to accommodate for post-panamax ships.
   The port said the deepening will allow the port to handle ships drawing 48 feet with no tidal restrictions.