Congressman Cedric Richmond (LA-02) has announced that the Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District will receive an additional $55 million to dredge the lower Mississippi River. This news comes less than two weeks after Congressman Richmond led the Louisiana House delegation in a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers and the Office of Management and Budget requesting additional funding to dredge Louisiana’s waterways.
“ Because of a lack of funding, the Corps had to significantly decrease their dredging activity on the Mississippi River last year. This caused restrictions on the amount cargo vessels could carry on the River, economic uncertainty for Louisiana businesses, and increased the chance of an environmental disaster. I’m happy that President Obama and his administration recognizes how important dredging is to improving the nation’s economy and doubling exports over the next four years ,” said Congressman Richmond. “The additional $55 million will go a long way toward returning the Mississippi River to proper levels.”
When a 740 foot-long cargo ship carrying coal grounded in the Mississippi River below Venice, Louisiana, Congressman Richmond immediately called on the Corps of Engineers to send its dredge, the Wheeler, to the site to begin dredging the area at once. This morning, the Corps of Engineers announced that the Wheeler would immediately sail from port and would be onsite this evening.
“ Since joining Congress, I’ve told everyone that if we fail to dredge the Mississippi River a potential economic, safety and environmental catastrophe could occur. I’ve spoken with House leadership, President Obama, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Coast Guard. I’m glad that the ship has been freed. We are lucky that it is not currently blocking traffic or an environmental hazard, but this incident highlights the danger of failing to dredge, ” said Congressman Richmond.
Congressman Richmond recently led the Louisiana House delegation in asking the Army Corp of Engineers and the Office of Management and Budget for adequate dredging funding for Louisiana’s waterways.
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Dredging Today Staff, January 20, 2012; Image: richmond