Due to a process change at the federal level, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is reissuing the public notice for the Louisiana International Terminal's permit application. As you know, the Port of New Orleans is proposing to build a container terminal in Violet, LA. Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the USACE must study the potential impacts of the terminal on people and the environment before permitting construction. Information and plans related to the proposal are available on the Corps' website.

The only change to the permit application since the initial public notice in January is the wetlands impact, which has changed from 404 acres to 423 acres. This is due to the federal change in the jurisdictional wetlands determination process. Public notices on similar permit applications across the country are being reissued due to this procedural change.

Public comments will be accepted for a 30-day period beginning today, March 28, 2022. Comments received in the initial public comment period in January/February of this year remain valid and do not need to be resubmitted. At this point in the permit process, public comments help the USACE determine the type of environmental review the permit should follow. The options include an Environmental Assessment or the lengthier and more rigorous Environmental Impact Statement process.

Comments can be sent via email to [email protected] or can be mailed to the USACE and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality at the following addresses (reference permit number MVN-2021-00270-EG):

United States Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District

Regulatory Division (REG-E)

7400 Leake Ave.

New Orleans, LA 70118

State of Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality

Attn: Water Quality Certifications

PO Box 4313

Baton Rouge, LA 70821

Port NOLA is committed to working with our neighbors to design a project that brings opportunity for St. Bernard families and businesses and protects local quality of life. To learn more about the project and what to expect next, visit yourworkingriver.com.

Sincerely,

The Team at the Port of New Orleans