Funds Secured for Port of Rochester Dredging

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, co-chair of the bipartisan Great Lakes Task Force, has secured $2.32 million in the House appropriations legislation for fiscal year 2016 (FY 2016) for dredging of the Port of Rochester by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

In March, Congresswoman Slaughter sent a letter to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Mike Simpson and Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development requesting full FY 2016 funding to complete a round of dredging to the federally authorized depth.

“The dredging of the Port of Rochester will maximize the full potential of our lakefront for commercial and recreational use,” said Congresswoman Slaughter. “The harbor supports important local jobs and imports $10 million worth of goods every year. Our community cannot risk a long term interruption of service and I thank the Army Corps for its partnership in keeping the Port safe for navigation and open for business.”

This funding is in addition to the $3.4 million Rep. Slaughter secured since 2013 for dredging of the Port of Rochester. The Army Corps of Engineers will be dredging the Port of Rochester and Irondequoit Bay this season.

The Port of Rochester ships and receives an average of 95,000 tons of material each year. Commodities that pass through the port generate more than $6 million in local salaries annually.

Now that the bill has passed in subcommittee, it is ready for full committee and House floor consideration.

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