CHARLESTON (WACH/AP)—Plans to deepen the Charleston Harbor will be discussed Tuesday afternoon, in an open forum with the Army Corps of Engineers.  At issue, the State Ports Authority’s desire to deepen the harbor from its current 45 feet to 50 feet to accommodate larger ships that will call on the port once the Panama Canal is widened.

According to the Corpse of Engineers, “In order to consider the potential impacts, public participation early and often is an important part of the process.”

The Post and Courier reports that for the last 130 years, the corps has maintained Charleston Harbor at a cost of $10 million to $15 million annually.

The meeting is a chance for the public to learn about the process for studying the project, and begins at 5:30 p.m. at The Citadel’s Mark Clark Hall.

(The AP contributed to this story)