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Savannah Harbor Expansion Project gets Record of Decision signed - Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports

Savannah Harbor Expansion Project gets Record of Decision signed

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SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) -

On Saturday, the United States Army Corps of Engineers announced that Assistant Secretary of the Army Jo-Ellen Darcy signed the Record of Decision for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project.

The Record of Decision confirms that the proposed project is in the national interest and meets the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.

The signing completes the government's review of the project's justification and is a major milestone for the project.

"The Record of Decision affirms that deepening Savannah harbor to 47 feet is economically viable, environmentally sustainable and in the best interests of the nation," said Col. Jeffrey Hall, the Savannah District commander and District engineer.

However, before construction can officially begin, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must obtain Congressional approval for an increase in the project budget from $230 million to $652 million. The original budget was passed in 1999, but has since risen to its current level.

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