The Army Corps of Engineers will allocate additional funding to Great Lakes dredging projects that support economic development and job creation, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., announced yesterday. The Corps made the decision after Levin pressed Corps officials last month on the urgent need for dredging and maintenance funds for the Great Lakes.
“ This funding will help keep Michigan harbors open that were threatened with closure, supporting economic development and job creation ,” Levin said. “ I will continue to press for fairness and work to secure funding for additional dredging and maintenance needs, but today’s announcement is a good start .”
In a letter to Sen. Levin, Army Undersecretary Joseph Westphal wrote: “ Your letter urged us to allocate a large portion of the additional funds appropriated for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Operation and Maintenance account in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, to fund Great Lakes navigation projects that support economic development and job creation .”
Westphal wrote Levin that the Corps has allocated $9 million in additional funds for Great Lakes projects, including several in Michigan:
The fiscal year 2012 appropriations bill provided $38,923,000 for Michigan navigational projects, including for dredging and other operations and maintenance work. The funding announced today will be added to those previously announced funds.
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Dredging Today Staff, February 8, 2012; Image: gov