For Immediate Release
January 23, 2002

OAKLAND, Calif. (January 23, 2002) - On January 15, the East Bay Regional Park District voted unanimously to negotiate a management agreement with the Port of Oakland regarding operations of Middle Harbor Shoreline Park.

U.S. Army will sign a Project Cooperation Agreement that clears the way for deepening the Oakland Harbor and Port-maintained berths from -42 feet to -50 feet. The ceremony will take place on the meadow at Oakland's Jack London Square, in front of Port of Oakland headquarters, 530 Water Street.

A Project Cooperation Agreement is a formal contract between the federal government and the non-federal sponsor for a federally funded water resources project. The Army Corps of Engineers is the responsible federal agency and the Port of Oakland is the non-federal sponsor.

According to U.S. Customs, the volume of imported cargo moving through U.S. ports will triple by the year 2020. Deepening of Oakland Harbor to -50 feet positions the Port to remain competitive by opening the way for the latest generation of container vessels to call at the Port of Oakland.

Total estimated cost for the project is $252 million. Of that, the Port will spend about $124 million. Project components include slight widening and deepening of the harbor entrance, outer and inner harbor channels, and two turning basins to -50 feet, as well as utility relocations. The Port will also deepen its berths and strengthen its wharves as part of the project. The project is closely associated with the Port's construction of new marine terminals and a joint intermodal terminal at the entrance to the Estuary.

"Today's agreement between the Port of Oakland and the U.S. Army marks the formal beginning to our -50 foot project. This project, which has been a unique collaboration of business, labor, community, environment and government, will enable us to bring new job opportunities and greater economic vitality to our region," said Port of Oakland Executive Director Chuck Foster.

Deepening of the Oakland Harbor is the foundation of the Port of Oakland's Vision 2000 program. The -50 foot project will lead to substantial economic benefits for Oakland and the Bay Area in general, adding an estimated 8,000 jobs, $1.9 billion in increased annual business revenue and $55.5 million in increased local taxes each year.

What makes the project unique is its beneficial reuse of dredged material to enhance habitat and restore Bay Area wetlands.

"This is an important element of the overall project that implements the Long Term Management Strategy for disposal of dredged material from San Francisco Bay," said Lt. Col. Timothy O'Rourke, District Engineer at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District.

Initiated by the Corps of Engineers in 1990, the strategy was created as a partnership between federal and state agencies, elected officials, labor organizations, maritime interests, fishermen, environmental organizations and the general public to make available acceptable dredged material disposal alternatives. "A cornerstone to that strategy is beneficial reuse," O'Rourke said, "and a number of Bay Area wetlands restorations projects will benefit."

Deepening of Oakland Harbor will involve dredging some 12.8 million cubic yards of material. One hundred percent of the dredged material will be used for wetlands restoration, habitat enhancement, and upland construction projects in and around San Francisco Bay. Wetlands and habitat projects earmarked to receive the material include: Hamilton Army Airfield Wetlands Restoration in Marin County, Montezuma Wetlands Restoration in Solano County, and the Oakland Middle Harbor Enhancement Area.

One of the first areas to realize the benefits will be Oakland Middle Harbor. Approximately 6 million cubic yards of material will be used to restore 180 acres of shallow water habitat at Oakland Middle Harbor. When completed, the Middle Harbor Enhancement Area will provide public access to a 37-acre park that will surround the marine habitat and provide areas for active use and areas for nature observation.

The Middle Harbor Enhancement Area will provide potential foraging habitat for the endangered California least tern, spawning habitat for Pacific herring, promote fish production, and provide access to the shoreline and Bay.

Work on the project is expected to begin in the coming months and will be completed in phases over the next five years. The first phase will include demolition of buildings and structures at the former Navy Fleet Industrial Supply Center Annex and a dilapidated pier along the Oakland Estuary.

Contact:
Harold Jones
Director of Communications
(510) 627-1564
hjones@portoakland.com

Alternate Contact:
John Sulpizio
Port of Sacramento
Executive Director
(916) 371-8000

Alternate Contact:
Diann Castleberry
Port of Oakland
Community Relations Manager
(510) 627-1302
dcastleb@portoakland.com

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