Well, as we continue to tread our way through the massive amounts of information we are hoping to sort through and obtain this week, our storm continues to “brew.”
Today we spent the majority of our morning holding discussions with Attorney Dreher and the impact the port project has on the local shrimpers. We learned some interesting things! First, there is a 1949 recorded deed that indicates a “permanent fishing industry to be relocated to the northwesterly portion of the premises” (referring to the port area).
Additionally, we learned that there are “settlement talks” for the shrimpers interest; however, there are several rising theories as what will happen or can happen should the settlement plan bottom out, and if there is any course of sustainable action on the shrimpers behalf.
During the planning stages and currently, there remain different ideas on what the best plan of action would be to accommodate the shrimpers. Some talks have centered around building a new pier to house the shrimpers alone, to other projects such as move the shrimpers away from the port and further down the east coast line.
Ultimately, we added another piece to the puzzle today—how do you protect the current local industries, such as the shrimpers and other small businesses located along the port area?
For more information on the port project, look at the following: www.portofthefuture.com
-Carrie and Tracy
