Congressman Gus Bilirakis, representing the 12th District of Florida, has announced that the Anclote River dredging project is set to get underway by this summer, Tarpon Springs Patch reports.
“I have been assured by the Army Corps of Engineers that the dredging work should start within the next few months, ” said Bilirakis , who worked with state Representative Chris Sprowles, R-Palm Harbor, to secure $676,000 in state funds for the dredging project.
In addition to the state appropriation, the city of Tarpon Springs is contributing $100,000 and Pinellas County is providing $300,000 through the Pennies for Pinellas tax.
The initial funding from the state is enough to get the dredging project started and the city officials will likely have to request additional state funding, the Patch informs.
The total project is expected to cost more than $5 million.
The river has not been dredged since 1998. Over the years, the river bottom has filled in with silt, making it difficult for large boats to navigate.
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