The Economics Working Group met August 25, 2000 at the ACOE building in Savannah. Attending were Will Berson, Morgan Rees, Terry Stratton, Hope Moorer, John Snedeker, Richard Hill and this writer, Judy Jennings.
Our extensive discussion about the selection of the design vessel continued. Some of the factors that influence the selection included:
1. Vertical clearance
2. Capacity for additional width (adjacent shore line impacts)
3. Turning basin capacity
4. Attendant environmental impacts
5. World fleet projections
6. Savannah fleet projections
There was a brief discussion with no definitive answer about whether or not the hydrodynamic model could accommodate a 55' draft vessel.
There was an extensive discussion about a proposal for a port on the Savannah River in Jasper county. GPA will evaluate Jasper county as an alternative.
There is the possibility that the GRR and Tier II EIS will be a combined document.
Next meeting: October 3 if the SEG meets in October or late September if the SEG does not meet in October.