U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer reported two days ago that federal appropriators have heeded his request, and included $1.28 million in federal funding to fully dredge the Port of Oswego.
This funding had been requested by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in its Fiscal Year 2016 Civil Works Budget.
In March Schumer urged the federal appropriators in charge of approving these funds to include $1.28 million in funding in the upcoming budget negotiations.
“ After nearly 7 years of waiting for a full dredging, Christmas has finally come for the Oswego Harbor ,” said Schumer . “ Keeping this harbor dredged will not only clear the way for commerce, it will also clear the way for increased job creation and economic development. Doing this will ensure that the Oswego area continues to reap the benefits of this harbor for years to come. ”
According to the Corps, approximately 72,000 cubic yards of material must be dredged every three to four years from the harbor floor for it to keep the pace. Although the port was last dredged in 2014 when 71,000 cubic yards of material were removed, the Port of Oswego has not been on a routine dredging schedule since 2008.
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