Maritime Resources - Harbor Deepening - Buck Island - The Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT)

Buck Island Dredge Disposal Site

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JAXPORT handled 8.1 million tons of cargo last year, generating more than $19 billion in economic activity for Northeast Florida and providing jobs for 65,000 citizens. The port is a significant part of the region’s economy, creating opportunity for numerous related industries and positively impacting the area’s quality of life.

One of JAXPORT’s major business obligations is to help ensure safe and efficient passage of all vessels entering the St. Johns River federal channel in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As material builds up on the river bottom and at the port’s ship berths, JAXPORT must continually have contractors remove sand and sentiment to keep the harbor at its current guaranteed depth of 40 feet. The material removed from the river is then stored in approved locations. Construction quality material can be sold and used for building and road projects, such as State Road 9A in Jacksonville.

Eariler this year, JAXPORT senior leadership met with residents living near the Buck Island Dredge Disposal Site and presented a potential plan for removing some material stored at the site.

Updates will be provided here throughout the project. Please contact JAXPORT Communications Director Nancy Rubin at (904) 357-3012 or nancy.rubin@jaxport.com if you have any further questions.

Update: Buck Island Dredge Disposal Site

Sept. 16, 2011

In July 2011, JAXPORT put out an official request for contractors to buy and transport a portion of the material stored at Buck Island. JAXPORT has identified a low bidder but there is currently no final contract. The low bidder’s interest is contingent on winning an FDOT project where they can make use of the Buck Island material. Ratification of this contract is not expected for at least 30-45 days. Any definite start dates and schedules must wait for the formal approval of the JAXPORT contract. Please check back for updated information on JAXPORT’s project or contact JAXPORT Director of Communication Nancy Rubin at 904-357-3012.

In addition, JAXPORT was informed this week by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that they plan to move a significant amount of rock to the Buck Island site by truck beginning in October. The rock is required to stabilize the dike walls.

It is important to note that this Army Corps project is necessary maintenance work but NOT part of the trucking project outlined at the June Town Hall meeting between JAXPORT senior leadership and residents near the Buck Island site.

Preparatory work being done at the site in September and October 2011 is part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ upcoming project. Please contact U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Public Affairs Specialist Amanda Ellison at 904- 232-1576 or Amanda.d.Ellison@usace.army.mil with questions.