Port Hueneme harbor deepening moves closer to start

The Hueneme port authority is set to sign a partnership agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that will finalize engineering reviews and set the stage for dredging to begin.    The Port Hueneme Board of Harbor Commissioners on Monday approved an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deepen the navigation channel an extra five feet to 40 feet at average low water levels.
   Hueneme is a small port located in Ventura County, Calif., about an hour north of the sprawling marine container complex in San Pedro Bay, that primarily handles vehicles, bulk agriculture and general cargo. A deeper harbor will allow vessels to enter the port with heavier loads.
   The Project Partnership Agreement establishes how the parties will share costs and responsibilities for the project. It also allows the Army Corps to begin awarding contracts and spend down available funds.
   Under federal cost-share guidelines, the port authority is responsible for 35 percent of the project’s estimated $8 million price tag.
   Construction is expected to begin later this year, and officials have said sand from dredging will be used for area beach nourishment.
   Port Hueneme is separately deepening and strengthening the wharf at two berths to handle the bigger and heavier ships and is also extending its on-dock rail.
   The port expansion is estimated to create 563 new direct and indirect jobs for the region and generate $28 million in local revenues each year, according to maritime economist Martin & Associates.