Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) joined the United States Army Corps of Engineers this afternoon in announcing emergency funding to dredge the St. Joseph harbor.
The harbor, which is essential to jobs and economic activity in Southwest Michigan, has become inaccessible to commercial traffic on account of severe shoaling.
Upton has been in close contact with local dock owners and Berrien County officials concerning the issue, and recently sat down with the Army Corps in his Washington, DC office to work toward a solution.
“ Our Great Lakes harbors are gateways of economic opportunity, providing good-paying jobs as well as vital resources for economic activity in our region and beyond ,” said Upton.
“ Whether for commercial or recreational traffic, it is critical that our local harbors are well maintained and open for business. The regular commercial disruptions caused by seasonal shoaling underscore the importance of ensuring that that the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund is properly used for its intended purposes: maintaining our nation’s harbors. The continued misallocation of Trust Fund dollars have left our nation’s ports and waterways seriously underfunded. ”
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Press Release, March 15, 2013