The US Army Corps of Engineers has begun a two year environmental study on a proposed project to increase the depth of the channel linking the Port of Stockton to the San Francisco Bay. The study will examine the environmental impacts of raising the shallowest portions of the channel by 2 to 5 feet. This seemingly small increase in the depth of the channel will allow more goods to be transported by ship in and out of Central California, including exports of produce and wine. This move could potentially eliminate up to 900 trucks on area roads per ship. Earlier this month, the California Transportation Commission, or Caltrans, approved 3.1 billion dollars of Proposition 1B funding for commercial transportation projects.

The funding approved included 17.5 million dollars for the Port of Stockton study, and the Army Corps of Engineers will fund the remainder of the 141 million dollars budgeted for the environmental review. The study will specifically investigate whether an increase in channel depth will negatively impact levees, as well as intrusion of saltwater into fresh water supply. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger commended Caltrans for their efforts, stating, “The CTC has done a great job in getting this money out so we can rebuild our state and boost our economy just like our voters expected and deserved when they passed our infrastructure bonds in 2006.

Today’s funding will be used to improve the flow of goods, reduce congestion and improve air quality.” However, critics of the spending approval, including State Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunes of Los Angeles, feel that Northern California, and specifically the Port of Stockton, received more than its fair share of the funding. Caltrans did approve 1.65 billion dollars for improvements to the corridors leading to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, but Nunes stated that he felt the area should have received more than 54% of the total 3.1 billion dollar Trade Corridor Improvement Fund.