The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) has extended the public comment period for the Wilmington Harbor 403 Navigation Project until December 20, 2025. The project, proposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Wilmington District, involves deepening and widening sections of the Wilmington Harbor navigation channel to improve efficiency and allow larger vessels.
A public hearing on November 17 in Wilmington attracted significant community interest, with more than 20 residents providing comments in person and about 50 people attending.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has submitted a federal consistency determination, stating that the project complies with North Carolina’s coastal management policies as required by the Coastal Zone Management Act. DCM will review this determination and decide whether to agree, conditionally agree, or disagree with it for the proposed work in Brunswick and New Hanover counties. The agency must make its decision by January 5, 2026.
Information regarding the consistency determination is available online. Written comments can be sent until December 20 either by mail to Federal Consistency Coordinator at 400 Commerce Avenue, Morehead City, NC 28557 or via email to Federalconsistencycomments@deq.nc.gov with “Federal Consistency: USACE Wilmington Harbor 403 Navigation Project” in the subject line. All submitted comments will be considered before a final state response is issued. Notice of the decision will be provided upon request.
