Town takes opposition to inlet expansion plans to state | www.palmbeachdailynews.com

The town of Palm Beach, in no uncertain terms, does not want the Lake Worth Inlet dredged at the north end of the island. Click title for link.

The project is headed to Congress where it is expected to win approval as part of the Water Resources Development Act. Congressional approval would not guarantee funding for the $88.3 million plan, and the Port of Palm Beach still would have to figure out how to pay its $35 million share.
Port officials say a deeper and wider inlet will make it easier for vessels to maneuver in and out of the port. That, in turn, will stimulate the local and state economies, they say.
The town, and civic organizations and residents opposed to the plan, say a wider, deeper inlet will result in an higher storm surge that will threaten waterfront properties with flooding. There also is concern that larger vessels might throw larger wakes with the potential to damage privately owned sea walls or bulkheads, and cause erosion of properties.