Charleston, S.C. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District held a press conference on July 11, 2012 to provide an update on the current state of the Charleston Harbor Post 45 feasibility study, announcing that the study will now take four years or less from today and will only cost $15 million, saving the taxpayer’s $5 million from the original cost of $20 million.
Since signing the Feasibility Cost-Sharing Agreement between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Carolina State Ports Authority just over a year ago, the Corps has made great strides in developing a host of alternatives and is now in the process of narrowing down to a smaller number of alternatives to ultimately recommend one to Congress. Two design vessels have been selected which will be used to inform the selection of a recommended alternative. Much has been accomplished in this short timeframe and many cost- and time-saving measures have been taken to ensure this process is done as quickly and efficiently as possible while still abiding by all federal regulations.
The Corps has received $2.5 million in federal funding in the current fiscal year as well as an additional $3.5 million is currently listed in the President’s Fiscal Year 2013 budget. These funds along with available funds from the State Ports Authority will allow the Corps to move forward on the study with no financial constraints at this time. The Corp is always looking for ways to better serve the nation and improve our processes.
Streamlining of the Corps’ feasibility study process is setting the stage for future studies to be done in a less time consuming fashion with less cost to the taxpayers. This new process involves assuming more risk in the study phase and making educated assumptions blended with data analysis. “Risk” doesn’t mean making the harbor dangerous; it means saving time making educated assumptions and using less data intensive analysis.
By working closely with experts from regional divisions, headquarters offices and the State Ports Authority, the Corps has revised its original cost estimate of the study from $20 million to $15 million saving tax payers $5 million.
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Release no. 12-0702