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PHILADELPHIA REGIONAL PORT AUTHORITY LAUNCHES WEBSITE IN SUPPORT OF DELAWARE RIVER DEEPENING This month, the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority launched a website in support of deepening the Delaware River to 45 feet. The new website www.supportthedeepening.com -- will detail the economic benefits of the project, specify the facts about its environmental impact and counter the sometimes false and misleading claims of opponents. We are very pleased to announce this new public resource, said John H. Estey, chairman of the PRPA, today. G iven the facts about the project and its economic benefits, we believe that fair minds will see the overwhelming need for the deepening project and the tremendous benefits it will bring to the region. That's what this site will do: give people the facts about this important project. The deepening, first proposed almost two decades ago, is projected to create more than 8,000 new jobs and is critical to the long-term economic prospects of Philadelphia-area ports. Other ports across the country, including the Port of Baltimore and Port of New York/Newark, have already either begun or completed deepening projects. The Port of Baltimore recently announced a private sector investment of $750 million after the deepening. If the Delaware River is not deepened, Delaware River ports will be at a competitive disadvantage. One key part of the new site will focus on combating the inaccurate and at times false statements about the economic and environmental impact of the project. In the almost 20 years since the project was first proposed, there have been dozens of studies that have determined there will be a positive economic impact and a minimal environmental impact. These reports will be posted along with a continually updated news and information. In addition, there will be a section detailing the strong support the project has won from all over the tri-state region, including major business organizations like the Delaware Chamber of Commerce and the PENJERDEL business organizations and merchants who rely on the ports. If we're committed to the future economic viability of the region's ports, we need to deepen the river to 45 feet. Failing to do so will drive maritime business out of the Delaware River, along with thousands of family-sustaining jobs, closed Estey. After almost two decades, it is time to move forward. |
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