Great Lakes earmarked for federal money
DETROIT – The President’s Budget for fiscal year 2014 (FY14) includes more than $4.7 billion in discretionary funding for the Civil Works program (see release below) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USACE, with almost $63 million for Detroit District projects around the Great Lakes.
The Civil Works budget funds the operation and maintenance program, which includes the maintenance of federal shipping channels on the Great Lakes, maintenance of federal structures, and the operation and maintenance of the Soo locks. Incorporated in the budget is funding that will be used across the district’s jurisdiction in Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin.
“The Detroit District budget reflects the Administration’s fiscal year 2014 annual Civil Works program built as a fiscally austere investment in the development, management, restoration and protection of the Nation’s water, wetlands and related resources. Strategic allocation of funds delivers the maximum benefits to commercial navigation, flood risk management and aquatic ecosystem restoration,” said Lt. Col. Robert Ells, district engineer, Detroit District.
The FY14 funding will be distributed among the Detroit District major projects as follows:
Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis. Navigation/Recreation $5.9 million
Saginaw River, Mich. Navigation $3.8 million
Fox River, Wis. Flood Risk Management $2.0 million
(Cat Island DMDF) Construction $1.9 million
Monroe Harbor, Mich. Navigation $1.0 million
A total of $13.2 million will be used for dredging projects including the following locations: Detroit River, Mich., Duluth-Superior Harbor, Minn. and Wis., Green Bay Harbor, Wis., Grand Haven Harbor, Mich., Holland Harbor, Mich., Monroe Harbor, Mich., and Saginaw River, Mich.
Also, $3.6 million will be used to continue monitoring lake levels and water flow throughout the Great Lakes.
The FY14 Civil Works budget press book is available on the Corps headquarters Website at: http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Budget.aspx, under the heading Program Budget: Press Books.
For more information go to the 2014 budget related link:
Detroit District Website – http://www.lre.usace.army.mil
Corps of Engineers, HQ Website – http://www.usace.army.mil
White House Website – http://www.whitehouse.gov