USACE Wilmington Harbor 403 Dredging Project

Overview
On September 12, 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Wilmington District, released the Letter Report and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) for the Wilmington Harbor 403 Navigation Improvement Project for public review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Draft EIS evaluates the potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of the proposed navigation improvements and associated alternatives.

On October 17, 2025, USACE submitted a Federal Consistency Determination to the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (DCM), referencing the Draft EIS and Letter Report, to initiate review under the federal consistency provisions of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA).

Federal Consistency Review
Pursuant to the Coastal Zone Management Act, federal activities that may affect North Carolina’s coastal uses or resources must be consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with the state’s enforceable coastal policies. Upon receipt of the Federal Consistency Determination, DCM initiated its review of the proposed actions for consistency with the North Carolina Coastal Management Program.

As part of the federal consistency review, DCM coordinates with state resource agencies and solicits public input to evaluate potential impacts to coastal resources, including fisheries habitat, wetlands, water quality, historic properties, public trust areas, and coastal communities.

Proposed Project Overview
The Wilmington Harbor 403 Federal Navigation System (FNS) Project, as proposed, would extend, deepen, and widen portions of the existing federal navigation channels within the lower Cape Fear River and harbor entrance to accommodate larger commercial vessels and improve navigation at the Port of Wilmington. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) evaluates several action alternatives, as well as a no-action alternative, that differ in the extent of channel modifications and associated dredging activities.

The DEIS also examines potential effects related to dredging and sediment placement, changes in vessel traffic, and alterations to water movement and salinity within the river and harbor. To inform this review, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prepared technical studies and modeling analyses addressing water flow, salinity, sediment movement, and vessel wake effects. These analyses have been considered by the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management, state resource agencies, and the public as part of the federal consistency review process.

Here is a link to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website covering the project in detail: Wilmington Harbor

Public Involvement and Agency Coordination
DCM provided opportunities for public review and comment on the federal consistency determination and considered input received from the public, local governments, and state and federal resource agencies. Comments submitted to DCM are part of the administrative record and are considered in determining whether the proposed project is consistent, conditionally consistent, or inconsistent with North Carolina’s coastal management policies.

A detailed timeline of key milestones, including receipt of the federal consistency determination, public comment periods, hearings, and coordination milestones, is provided on this page.

Status of Review
DCM’s federal consistency review remains ongoing. Information on current review status and key decision points will be updated as the review progresses.
 

September 12, 2025: USACE releases DEIS and Letter Report for public comment

October 17, 2025: DCM receives Federal Consistency Determination from USACE. 

October 30, 2025: N.C. State Historic Preservation Office comments

November 3, 2025: N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve comments

November 17, 2025: DCM holds public hearing in Wilmington [AUDIO FILE]
 
November 21, 2025: DCM extends comment period regarding Wilmington Harbor 403 Dredging Project to Dec. 20

December 15, 2025: Town of Kure Beach Resolution

December 17, 2025: N.C. National Heritage Program comments

December 17, 2025: City of Southport Resolution

December 18, 2025: Village of Bald Head Island Resolution 

December 18, 2025: Town of Caswell Beach Resolution

December 18, 2025: Town of Leland Resolution

December 20, 2025: Public Comment Period Ends  [PUBLIC COMMENTS  - ALL]

December 30, 2025: USACE extends State review period to January 20th, 2026
 
January 14, 2026: N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Comments

January 14, 2026: N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission Comments

January 14, 2026: Town of Sunset Beach Resolution

January 16, 2026:  Village of Bald Head Island Resolution to Join Regional Statement received by DCM

January 16, 2026: DCM receives request from the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), in coordination with the non-federal project sponsor (the North Carolina State Ports Authority), to pause review of the Corps’ Consistency Determination for the proposed Wilmington Harbor Federal Channel Deepening Project.