Yesterday, the White House released the U.S. President Obama’s Budget for fiscal year 2015, which included more than $22.7 million for the civil works program of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District.
The budget includes $695,000 for the Charleston Harbor Post 45 project to complete feasibility study efforts, which includes completion of and release to the public of the final environmental impact statement and draft study recommendation by the spring of 2015 and the final Chief’s Report in September 2015.
“We have made great strides on the Post 45 feasibility study in the last year by completing our physical data studies,” said Lt. Col. John Litz, Charleston District commander . “ We are continuing to prepare our draft environmental impact statement and draft report to release this summer. This money will allow us to remain on track to complete our final study recommendation for Charleston Harbor by September 2015 .”
The budget also allocated $20.5 million in operation and maintenance funds for maintenance dredging, condition surveys and environmental activities. Funds consist of $13.1 million for Charleston Harbor, $5.9 million for Cooper River, $875,000 for project condition surveys, $500,000 for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, and $67,000 for inspection of completed works. The budget also allocated $1.6 million in construction funds to raise the dikes in the north cell of the Clouter Creek Disposal Area.
“The District will use the 2015 fiscal year funds to efficiently and effectively complete our missions and provide quality service to South Carolina and the nation, ” added Litz.
The Charleston District uses the announcement of the budget to continue planning for FY15 and detail what steps can be taken on each project. The remaining funding was given for the Cooper River Rediversion Project, the Charleston Harbor dredged material disposal facility, project condition surveys and inspections of completed works.
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Press Release, March 6, 2014