President's Report from March 2, 2026

Last week, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, through its Division of Coastal Management, issued an objection to the Wilmington Harbor Section 403 Navigation Improvement Project. This project would deepen the federal navigation channel from 42 to 47 feet. Because this decision comes from a state regulatory agency and carries significant implications for our region, I want to provide context on why the Greater Wilmington Chamber has been engaged and why this matters to the broader business community.
 

We respect the Division’s responsibility to implement the Coastal Area Management Act and protect coastal resources. Environmental stewardship is a shared priority. Many of our members live and work along the lower Cape Fear River and understand the importance of protecting water quality and sensitive habitats.



At the same time, the Port of Wilmington is one of North Carolina’s most important economic assets. It supports thousands of direct and indirect jobs, connects manufacturers and agricultural producers to global markets, and plays a critical role in our state’s supply chain. Businesses across North Carolina rely on the Port to move goods efficiently and competitively. For that reason, support for ongoing and future phases of the N.C. Ports Wilmington Harbor Improvement Project remains a clear priority in the Chamber’s Advocacy and Legislative Agenda at the federal, state and local levels.
 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has spent more than three years studying this project through a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement process. That work has included technical working groups, engagement with state and federal resource agencies, and multiple opportunities for public comment.

At a recent Ports, Waterway and Beach Commission meeting, the Corps outlined several key findings. The project would preserve 550 acres of high-quality freshwater wetlands and enhance another 120 acres on Eagle Island. The cost-benefit ratio is 1.3, with projected savings of up to 23 percent per 12,500 TEU vessel. Accommodating larger ships would mean fewer trips up the river, resulting in comparable or reduced bottom stress and erosion. The Corps also indicated that dredging would not introduce new salinity flows into aquifers beyond what local groundwater pumping already influences.
 

We are disappointed that significant objections were raised at this late stage after years of collaboration. When major infrastructure projects encounter uncertainty late in the process, it can slow investment and complicate long-term planning.

Environmental protection and economic vitality are not mutually exclusive. North Carolina has demonstrated that it can balance growth with responsible coastal management. The Chamber supports continued good faith collaboration among the Corps, the Division of Coastal Management and the North Carolina Ports Authority to resolve outstanding questions quickly.
 

Wilmington’s long-term competitiveness depends on maintaining the infrastructure that supports our economy. The Port is not just a local asset. It is a statewide engine of commerce and opportunity, and getting this right matters to all of us.