Environmental Aspects of Jacksonville Harbor Project

The most significant factor affecting water resources planning is the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. The paper includes a description of the Jacksonville Harbor project in northeast Florida, existing environmental problems, and preauthorization environmental planning and coordination. By the time construction started, NEPA had been enacted and an environmental impact statement (EIS) was required. The paper summarizes the five points from the EIS: environmental impact; unavoidable adverse environmental effect; alternatives; relationship between local short-term users of man's environment and maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity; and irreversible and irretrievable commitment of resources. As a result of environmental studies, disposal sites will be located on upland areas. The overall implications of NEPA are that while study costs and coordination requirements will increase sharply, the quality of federal public works projects, and, in turn, the quality of man's environment, will improve.