Meeting Notes: Stop the Edgemoor Port Proposal
Date: June 26, 2025
Location: The Carriage House at Rockwood Park
Prepared by: Barbara Boese, Edgemoor Terrace Resident
Purpose: Community discussion to oppose the proposed Edgemoor Port development
Executive Summary
The meeting focused on opposing the proposed $635 million Edgemoor Port, highlighting its environmental risks, questionable economic benefits, and lack of transparency. Key concerns include underutilization of the existing Port of Wilmington, significant environmental impacts (e.g., dredging, contamination, habitat loss), and reliance on taxpayer subsidies. Alternative uses for the site, such as a waterfront park or ecological restoration, were proposed. Action items include advocating for feasibility and environmental studies, community outreach, and contacting legislators.
Meeting Agenda
Evaluate the need for a new port given the underutilized Port of Wilmington.
Assess the financial feasibility of the $635 million Edgemoor Port project.
Examine job creation claims and automation concerns.
Discuss taxpayer subsidies for ports.
Address environmental impacts of the proposed port.
Explore alternative uses for the Edgemoor site.
Discussion Points
1. Need for a New Port
The existing Port of Wilmington is underutilized, raising questions about the necessity of a new port at Edgemoor.
Holt Logistics representative Mr. Baker noted that the Edgemoor site is unsuitable for a container port due to spatial constraints, as ships cannot be turned around.
Recommendation: Expand the existing Port of Wilmington instead of building a new facility.
2. Financial Concerns
Cost Estimate: Enstructure’s proposed cost is $635 million for a new container port, potentially unfixed and subject to increase.
For comparison, Maryland’s Sparrows Point Port refurbishment is estimated at $1 billion.
Taxpayer Burden: Ports nationwide rely heavily on state and federal subsidies.
The State of Delaware currently subsidizes the Port of Wilmington (specific annual costs available via Google search: “How much does the State of Delaware spend on the Port of Wilmington annually”).
Taxpayers previously paid $1.5 million to remove 10,000 lbs. of tires from the Edgemoor site due to the tenant’s lack of a permit.
Feasibility: Holt Logistics noted Enstructure’s lack of experience with ocean-going vessels, casting doubt on the project’s viability.
3. Job Creation Claims
Promise of Jobs: Enstructure estimates 6,000 jobs, but the number is speculative and unverified.
Automation Concerns: Governor Meyer’s advocacy for an “automated container port” suggests fewer manual jobs.
Economic Impact: Secondary economic benefits (e.g., local sales, job creation) are uncertain and require further study.
4. Environmental Concerns
Presentation by Simeon Hahn, Co-Chair and Retired NOAA Environmental Scientist
Site Contamination:
The Edgemoor site has a history of contamination from industrial users, with inadequate remediation efforts.
Sediment samples for dredging were inadequate from an environmental investigation and remediation standpoint for a contaminated sediment site, with limited testing clearing the way for development.
Dredging Impacts:
The plan involves dredging 3.3 million cubic yards across 90 acres, with an immediate shoreline drop to 45 feet.
This will permanently destroy fish habitats, including 90 acres of critical habitat for the Atlantic Sturgeon (Physical and Biological Feature 2: Transition Salinity Zone for soft substrate for juvenile foraging and physiological development), a nursery area protected under the Subaqueous Lands Act (Delaware Regulations 7504).
The Subaqueous Lands Act prohibits dredging in biologically productive areas, such as nursery areas, if it has significant or lasting impacts (Section 4.11.4.1).
5.5 acres of tidal area will be permanently filled in, and 3,200 feet of shoreline habitat will be lost.
Dredging will stir up toxins, increasing human exposure and environmental harm.
Comparison: The Port of Wilmington dredges 75,000 cubic yards annually, far less than the proposed Edgemoor plan.
Mitigation Issues:
The mitigation plan (Approved Mitigation Plan) is inadequate for the 5.5 acres permanently filled, the 90 acres dredged, and the 3,200 feet of shoreline habitat lost.
No mitigation is planned for the permanent loss of 90 acres of Atlantic Sturgeon critical habitat, as noted in the Biological Opinion required under the Federal Endangered Species Act (document to be attached).
Mitigation, which can be in-kind or out-of-kind, is required to replace or compensate for lost habitats.
River Health:
The Delaware River’s recovery is fragile, and the Edgemoor site’s fresh-to-saltwater transition zone is critical for endangered fish species like the Atlantic Sturgeon.
Hardening the shoreline with concrete slips threatens this ecosystem.
Additional Impacts:
Air and noise pollution from thousands of tractor-trailers.
Increased traffic and reduced quality of life for residents.
Regulatory Issues:
No Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Environmental Assessment Technical Document (EDGEMOOR.EATD.revised.pdf) concluded an EIS was not required, despite significant environmental impacts (DNREC Port Proposal). An EIS should have been conducted.
The Army Corps of Engineers issued permits, but these are under review for navigation concerns only, not human or environmental impacts (Army Corps Public Notice).
The Subaqueous Lands Act Permit (SP-101-20 Permit) does not require monitoring of contaminants during dredging (see Special Conditions 7 and 8), despite DNREC originally proposing such provisions.
Diamond State Corp operates with limited transparency, excluding public input and access to real-time information.
5. Alternative Uses for the Edgemoor Site
Waterfront Park: Include a boat launch for public recreation.
Mixed-Use Development: Retail and restaurant destination to boost local economy.
Clean Manufacturing Facility: Environmentally friendly industry.
Ecological Restoration Area: Preserve and enhance natural habitats.
Community Input: Residents are encouraged to share additional ideas.
Additional Notes
Enstructure’s Claims:
Representative Eugene Brown compared dredging to a “vacuum function,” downplaying its environmental impact.
Enstructure has renamed the project “Port of Wilmington North” and posted a rendering on its website (per Chris Costov).
A similar port model is the Halifax Seaport (per Brown, June 12, 2025).
Funding Availability: Federal funding exists for site cleanup, which could support alternative uses.
Environmental Justice: Residents can voice concerns via DNREC’s Port Proposal portal (DNREC Port Proposal). Frequent complaints can strengthen the community’s position.
Action Items
Advocacy and Research:
Request a feasibility study and a third-party environmental impact assessment.
Contact the CDC for a health outcomes assessment.
Community Outreach:
Canvas neighborhoods and distribute yard signs to raise awareness.
Share renderings of the proposed port to illustrate its impact.
Engage Legislators:
Contact state legislators and the Governor’s Office (Constituent Relations) to voice opposition.
Suggested by Adrienne Little: Use the Governor’s Office as a resource.
Public Pressure:
Continue filing complaints via DNREC’s Port Proposal portal (DNREC Port Proposal).
Demand transparency from Diamond State Corp and Enstructure.
Key Questions for Advocacy:
Can Delaware afford the port?
Will it generate real revenue?
What are the impacts on home values, health outcomes, and quality of life?
How will the loss of natural habitat affect the community?
Next Steps
Organize follow-up meetings to coordinate advocacy efforts.
Distribute meeting notes and action items to attendees and community members.
Monitor permit reviews by the Army Corps of Engineers and push for a comprehensive environmental reassessment.
Contact Information
DNREC Port Proposal Portal: https://dnrec.delaware.gov/port-proposal/
DNREC Environmental Assessment Technical Document: EDGEMOOR.EATD.revised.pdf
DNREC Subaqueous Lands Act Permit: SP-101-20 Permit
DNREC Approved Mitigation Plan: Approved-Mitigation-Plan.pdf
Delaware Subaqueous Lands Act Regulations: https://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title7/7504
Army Corps of Engineers Public Notice: https://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Public-Notices/Article/2286572/2019-278/
NEPA Information: US EPA NEPA Overview
Governor’s Office Constituent Relations: Contact via state website (not specified).
Attachment: Biological Opinion document (required under the Federal Endangered Species Act).
