Port of Miami Dredging Step Closer to Realization (USA)

The Florida House passed on Monday a second bill that will help the postponed Port of Miami Deep Dredging project to move forward, reports The Miami Herald.

The $150 million project is a priority for Gov. Rick Scott and Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez. However, the project is being held up by challenges from environmental groups and the community of Fisher Island.

Environmental groups are pursuing their efforts to protect Biscayne Bay with a 9-minute video called “The Battle for Biscayne Bay” featuring local environmentalists.

“This is bad policy,” said David Cullen, lobbyist for the Sierra Club Florida. “It is bad for Biscayne Bay, and it is bad because you are messing with access to fundamental basic justice.”

An administrative law judge has scheduled a hearing for August.

Since Gimenez wants the project to start at once, Miami-Dade lawmakers’ proposals would require any legal challenges to dredging projects to be heard within 30 days of the motion being filed.

[mappress]

Dredging Today Staff, March 6, 2012