JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A much-anticipated evaluation of Mayport Naval Station finds there's no reason it couldn't handle a nuclear carrier, but that does not mean it one will be stationed there.

Both of Florida's U.S. senators and other members of Florida's congressional delegation visited Mayport Friday to present the findings of an environmental impact study to determine if Mayport could be nuclear-capable.

Local leaders hope that a new carrier will eventually replace the USS John F. Kennedy, which was decommissioned one year ago.

"The definitive word today is there is nothing holding back homeporting a nuclear carrier and as many as 22 surface ships here except for a decision of our top defense officials to take action," said Sen. Mel Martinez.

Martinez and other state leaders say Mayport is a natural choice for a nuclear carrier and argue that all East Coast carriers should not be based in one place: Norfolk. They want to see the newest nuclear carrier -- the George H. W. Bush that is under construction -- based in Jacksonville.

If that happens, it could mean 7,100 new military jobs and nearly 100 civilian jobs at the base.

It would cost between $300 million and $400 million to make improvements for the naval station to handle a nuclear carrier, but state leaders said the cost would be picked up by the federal government and would not be a problem.

"The city of Jacksonville has done everything it needs to do to make sure the Navy understands how important they are to our community and national security. So right now the things that need to be done will be nuclear-specific, and the federal government will provide those funds," said Rep. Ander Crenshaw, R-Jacksonville.

The 1,200-page report contains 13 different scenarios, but the only one getting attention is the nuclear carrier plan.

The Navy is giving no indication what it indends to do with the Bush.

Sen. Bill Nelson said he is working to get the Navy to reactivate the 4th Fleet, which would handle situations in the southern Atlantic down to South America. He said he wants that based at Mayport, which would bring in even more ships.

"They can call in ships from different parts of the Navy to be tailored made for whatever the requirement here with a permanent headquarters here," Nelson said.

The Navy is holding a public hearing on the environmental impact statement from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 16 at the Florida Community College at Jacksonville's Deerwood Campus, 9911 Old Baymeadows Road. An information session will begin at 4:30 p.m. that day, with Navy representatives available to answer questions about the report.

People can also visit MayportHomeportingEIS.com to learn more and submit written comments. It is possible to download the complete report from that site.