Questions bubble up to challenge Wilmington port project

(Part 1 in a Series)

While the North Carolina State Ports Authority insists that deepening the harbor channel at the Port of Wilmington will provide a significant boost to the state’s economy, a coalition of environmental groups is questioning whether the $1.35 billion taxpayer-funded project should go forward.

Feeling the heat, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Wilmington District voluntarily requested in December 2025 that the massive project be paused temporarily and put on hold. Its request was granted in late January 2026 by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management.

The Corps said it needed additional time to consider objections that surfaced in more than 1,500 public comments.

Essentially, the proposal calls for deepening the Cape Fear River shipping channel from its current 42 feet to 47 feet to accommodate larger, deep-draft container ships. 

Work to deepen the channel and widen it in several places would include substantial amounts of dredging and even blasting.

The scope of the project spans roughly 26 miles, from the harbor entrance near Bald Head Island up to the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge in Wilmington. 

Construction could begin in 2030 and take about six years to complete, sources said.

Groups such as the North Carolina Coastal Federation (headquartered in Carteret County) have suggested the project “could devastate the natural resources that make coastal North Carolina unique.”

 

“For the mere purpose of saving shipping companies an unidentified amount of money, the Corps proposes to destroy more than 1,000 acres of wetlands, risk harm to threatened and endangered species, threaten groundwater quality and increase coastal and riverine erosion,” the Coastal Federation contends.

“The Wilmington port expansion poses many threats to the environment of the Lower Cape Fear region, which is rife with wildlife and natural resources, boasting spectacular barrier islands, tidal creeks and salt marshes.”

The bottom line, according to Coastal Federation officials, is that as proposed, the Ports Authority harbor project “would cause irreversible harm to the Cape Fear River, its wildlife and surrounding communities.”

Among the Coastal Federation’s specific objections to deepening the channel is the fear that allowing more saltwater to intrude farther upriver can change the salinity levels in sensitive tidal forests and potentially kill the trees there.

Also, the Coastal Federation believes that deepening the harbor will amplify storm surge and flooding, increasing risks to homes, businesses and critical infrastructure during hurricanes and other extreme weather events.

Further, the Coastal Federation fears that increased vessel tonnage will lead to more wakes that erode shorelines and increase the risk of vessel strikes on turtles, fish and marine mammals.

Additionally, the Coastal Federation says the project will disturb primary nursery areas where young fish and crustaceans develop, as well as critical habitat for the federally endangered Atlantic sturgeon, which spawn in the river.

 

(The Coastal Federation is a member-supported nonprofit organization that was formed in 1982 to “protect and restore the North Carolina coast.”)

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission listed additional concerns that the channel deepening project could have on “wildlife resources in the project area.” 

It noted that “more than 330 bird species rely on this region throughout the year, including bald eagles and brown pelicans.”

Citing the fact that the lower Cape Fear River supports 30% of the state’s coastal shorebird population, the commission suggests the Corps reassess potential impacts to the habitats of nesting waterbirds that might occur with “larger and increased vessel use.”

(The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is an independent state regulatory agency that was created in 1947 to manage fish and wildlife resources within the state. The agency reports directly to the legislative and executive branches, rather than a cabinet secretary.)

In response to the pause, a Ports Authority spokesperson told Emma Dill (shown below) of the Greater Wilmington Business Journal: “A project of this magnitude deserves close scrutiny. We appreciate the due diligence of both the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.”

  

On top of the estimated outlay of $1.35 billion for construction, the channel would require an annual investment of about $14 million for maintenance.

Ports officials say that “deepening the channel will boost the Port of Wilmington’s competitiveness and allow it to accommodate fully loaded ships.” As it is, ships currently have to be “light-loaded to get in and out of the port.”

The Ports Authority maintains: “Demand for access to the Wilmington harbor is growing as North Carolina strengthens its position as a freight gateway. In order to keep pace with demand and open new opportunities, the Port of Wilmington seeks to enhance its navigational channel to allow deep-draft vessels to efficiently navigate to the port.”

“A more efficient channel would modernize the port, attract more import and export business, help mitigate East Coast congestion and help North Carolina Ports become an even stronger player in this competitive landscape, thereby supporting the economies of Wilmington, New Hanover County, eastern North Carolina and the entire state.”

The goal is to accommodate larger, deep-draft container vessels, including ultra-large container ships.

Natalie English, president of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, expressed her organization’s support in a statement:

 

“A modern port is fundamental to future-proofing our economy. Without the deepening project, North Carolina risks losing market share to ports that are already preparing for the next generation of vessels. The global shipping industry continues to trend toward larger, more efficient ships that require deeper channels….Failure to act would shift cargo, investment and job creation to competitor states.”

Several municipalities – including Bald Head Island, Caswell Beach, Kure Beach, Leland, Oak Island, Southport, Sunset Beach and Wilmington – are wary. 

Through formal resolutions, they are imploring the Corps to revisit the harbor deepening project and re-examine various potential impacts, including the loss of fish habitats and harm to certain wetlands. 

Tarpon Springs, Fla., takes its name from a ‘silver king’ fish

Here’s a bit of local history about Tarpon Springs, a small city on Florida’s Gulf Coast, that was settled around 1876. 

The place was named by Mary Ormond, daughter of Alexander Ormond, who had relocated here, most likely from North Carolina.

 

Local historians said the young Ormond girl was “inspired by abundant tarpon fish found in the local waters”…often seen jumping in Spring Bayou, a warm, spring-fed tributary of the Anclote River.

The tarpon is universally known as the “silver king,” because its large, shimmering, silvery scales reflect sunlight brightly during their aerial, acrobatic leaps. 

With small teeth, they lack the ability to chew. Instead, tarpon use their massive, bony “bucket mouth” to swallow prey whole – mainly mullet, pinfish, sardines and crustaceans.

 

Today, the tarpon is a premier “catch-and-release-only gamefish.” Adult tarpon typically weigh between 60 and 130 pounds and measure roughly 4 to 6 feet long. However, females can grow to more than 300 pounds and 8 feet in length.

During winter months, when the Gulf of Mexico waters cool down, manatees travel inland to the warmer water of the spring, making it a popular spot for manatee viewing. Most of the shoreline is part of Craig Park, a popular recreational site.

 

A bronze statue of “Ama the Mermaid” was added to the park grounds in 2014. Standing 6-foot-4, Ama was cast in Thailand by French sculptor Amaryllis Bataille.

 

Since 1906, Spring Bayou has been the site of the annual Greek Orthodox Epiphany celebration, where young men dive into the water to attempt to retrieve a white cross each year on January 6.

On the calendar, Epiphany marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas. It commemorates the Magi’s visit to baby Jesus (Three Kings Day).

Known as the “Tarpon Springs Epiphany Cross Dive,” the tradition features young men (ages 16-18) who dive into Spring Bayou in search of a small white, wooden cross thrown by the Archbishop. The average depth in this section of the bayou is about 8 feet.

 

The event symbolizes Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River, and the custom was initiated by the Greek sea sponge divers who began arriving in Tarpon Springs in the early 1900s and established St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. 

(Tarpon Springs has the highest percentage of Greek Americans living in any U.S. municipality.)

A white dove is released just before the cross is tossed, representing the Holy Spirit. 

Approximately 75 boys jump from a ring of small boats to find the cross. The teen who retrieves the cross receives a year of blessings and a necklace bearing a gold cross. His name is also engraved on a church monument.

 

In 2026, the winner of the competition was Athos Karistinos, 18, a senior at Palm Harbor University High School who is dual-enrolled at St. Petersburg College. 

Athos Karistinos’ father, Anesti, also retrieved the cross in 1991. His grandfather had worked at the town “Sponge Docks” as a deep sea sponge diver.

Teenage girls are barred from diving for the cross. Dr. Joanna Theophilopoulos Bennett, who specializes in pediatric medicine, is on a crusade to change the exclusionary rules. A parishioner at St. Nicholas, she maintains that “the male-only rule is both arbitrary and theologically unjustifiable.”

 

Ironically, Joanna Theophilopoulos was selected in 2014 as the female teenage member of the choir to serve as the “dove bearer” for the event. That was a great honor and high responsibility, she said, “but the fact I would never have the chance to dive for the cross was always in the back of my head growing up.”

Experience the Greek flavor of Tarpon Springs, Fla.

Visitors come to Tarpon Springs, Fla., to admire and purchase the natural sea sponges, but they stay for the traditional Greek dishes and the delectable pastries and desserts served by authentic Greek eateries.

For more than a century, sponges harvested from the ocean floor have been sold on the “Sponge Docks” of Tarpon Springs. The city is generally regarded as the “Sponge Capital of the World.” 

These sponges are reasonably priced souvenirs for tourists to remember their visit to America’s “Little Greece” community. Buy several for assorted uses around the house.

 

There are advantages. To begin with, sea sponges are naturally odor-free, hypoallergenic and resistant to mold or bacterial growth, making them a more hygienic choice than synthetic sponges.

The softest variety, known as “wool sponges,” is an ideal choice for bathing, while durable “yellow sponges” and “grass sponges” are more suitable for general cleaning.

 

Merchants offer a few tips. Always wet the sponge fully with water before use. This makes it soft and increases its absorbency. When bathing, apply your favorite soap or body wash directly to the sponge. Massage it to create lather, which is excellent for cleansing and exfoliating.

Use a sponge in place of a cloth for dishes, scrubbing surfaces or cleaning delicate items without scratching. Use only mild soap and water. Never use bleach or detergents, as they will degrade the natural materials.

After each use, rinse the sponge thoroughly with clean, warm water. Gently squeeze out excess water, but avoid twisting, as it can tear the sponge. Don’t attempt to dry a sponge in a clothes dryer or microwave. Rather, let the sponge air dry completely in a well-ventilated area.

Monthly, give your sponge a 30-minute “deep clean” by soaking it in warm water with a little baking soda or a light vinegar mixed in to remove soap buildup. Sea sponges can last for three to five years with proper care.

The first Greek immigrants to settle in Tarpon Springs in the early 1900s were experienced sponge divers who were recruited from the Dodecanese Archipelago, a group of 12 islands in the Aegean Sea. They came by the hundreds to harvest the ocean bottom.

 

Their family members followed, and for more than a century, the Tarpon Springs community has embraced the Greek heritage and culture. About 25% of the current residents say they have Greek genes, and Tarpon Springs has more Greek Americans per capita than any other U.S. city.

Janet K. Keeler, who writes about the food and beverage industry in Florida, said locals and tourists alike especially enjoy dining at Hellas Restaurant & Bakery, located across from the “Sponge Docks” on Dodecanese Boulevard in Tarpon Springs.

 

“Hellas is one of the many Greek restaurants in town that serve a curious version of Greek salad,” she said. “It has all the expected elements: iceberg lettuce, cured black olives, sliced onion and green pepper, tomato wedges and thick slices of tangy feta cheese dressed with an herb vinaigrette. What comes as a surprise to the uninitiated is the scoop of potato salad.” (It hides beneath the lettuce.)

 

“Legend has it that Louis M. Pappamichalopoulos, who arrived in Tarpon Springs in 1904, added the potato salad to provide more sustenance for the working sponge divers,” Keeler wrote.

This authentic Greek potato salad is a no-mayonnaise side dish featuring boiled Yukon Gold potatoes cubed and tossed in a zesty vinaigrette with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Kalamata olives, red onions, scallions and feta cheese with Dijon mustard, minced garlic, oregano, parsley, dill, salt and pepper. It’s best served warm or at room temperature.

 

 

Sponges generally grow very slowly, with many species adding only a few millimeters per year. Undisturbed, sponges can live for hundreds to thousands of years.

 The hawksbill sea turtle is one of the few vertebrates that feed primarily on sponges, with sponges making up to 95% of their diet in some regions. 

Some tropical fish, such as angelfish and pufferfish, have adapted to consume the toxic and structurally dense tissues of sponges.

 

  

Hellas Restaurant & Bakery opened in Tarpon Springs in 1985. The original owners were by Bob and Maria Karterouliotis, who came to the United States from Sparta, Greece. The operation continues as a family-owned business, with the third generation now principally involved.

 

The Greek warrior statue on top of Hellas is a Spartan soldier.

 

 

A menu specialty at Hellas is the “Flame-Broiled K-Bob.” Available meats are beef, chicken, lamb or pork.

 

 

“Greek pastries are legendary…and the long display case at Hellas is ‘drool-worthy,’” Janet Keeler said.

Tarpon Springs, Fla., is fondly known as ‘Little Greece’

If you’re looking for a village that exudes “Old Florida” charm, Tarpon Springs is a welcoming community. It’s located on the Gulf Coast side of the state near Tampa and St. Petersburg.

 

Today, about 26,675 people live in Tarpon Springs, and up to 25% of the population has descended from Greek immigrants. (The city has the highest per capita concentration of Greek Americans in the United States.)

An influx of Greek “skin divers” who arrived in the mid-1900s to harvest the sponges that grow on the ocean floor is the reason why Tarpon Springs also became known as the “Sponge Capital of the World.”

 

Visitors can experience the epicenter of Tarpon Springs’ “Little Greece” heritage by strolling Dodecanese Boulevard to listen to the music, interact with the merchants and observe the activity aboard the wooden, working dive boats that tie up in the Anclote River at the “Sponge Docks,” less than a mile from the Gulf of Mexico.

 

(Practice saying the street name. “Dodecanese” is typically pronounced “doh-dek-uh-NEEZ.” It’s a Greek word, referring to the “twelve islands” that constitute the Dodecanese Archipelago in the Aegean Sea near Turkey.)

 

How the “sponge industry” came to be in Tarpon Springs is a fascinating story.

A key player was Greek businessman John Michael Cocoris (shown above), who arrived in Tarpon Springs by way of New York City in 1896 to partner with John King Cheyney (shown below) of Philadelphia, Pa. They set their sights on harvesting the sponges that were plentiful just offshore from Tarpon Springs.

 

Early American sponge fishermen would typically venture out in small boats. Operating in fairly shallow water, they would use long poles with hooks at the end to snag and snatch sponges from the ocean floor.

Cocoris knew a better way. He began recruiting Greek sponge divers by the hundreds from the Dodecanese Islands. 

Many came from Kalymnos, which had gained the reputation as “Sponge Divers’ Island.”

(The history of sponge diving in Greece was mentioned in the writings of Homer and Aristotle. Plato referred to sponges as articles commonly used in bathing.)

The Kalymnos divers (sans swim trunks) learned to hold their breath for up to 5 minutes and were capable of reaching depths up to 100 feet. 

They used hand-held cutting tools to carefully prune the sponges, allowing the primitive marine invertebrates to regenerate.

By the 1930s, the annual value of the sponge harvest from Tarpon Springs reached approximately $3 million, surpassing competitors like Key West.

Into the 1930s, Cocoris began to outfit his sponge divers with thick rubberized suits with bronze helmets and breastplates. They were connected to air hoses. 

The new technology allowed the sponge divers to operate for extended periods of time at depths up to 125 feet.

The first Tarpon Springs diver to wear one of the bulky diver suits (weighing between 170 and 200 pounds) was Demetrios Kavasilos. He descended for 10 minutes and returned with a full bag of high-quality sponges. He exclaimed that the “Gulf beds held enough sponges to supply the world.”

The copper helmet typically weighed between 38-55 pounds, and the breastplate weighed about 18 pounds. 

Heavy boots (about 12 pounds each) helped keep the divers upright and stable on the sea floor. Additional lead weight belts or shoulder weights were added to ensure the diver can descend.

Some divers got in trouble when they tried to “extend the limits of the equipment,” which often resulted in them experiencing “decompression illnesses.”

Commercial sponge diving is still practiced in Tarpon Springs, employing professional Scuba divers. 

Tourists can view traditional sponge diving demonstrations aboard the excursion boats that operate on the Anclote River.