USA: Boustany Pushes Long-Term Dredging Plan for Louisiana Job Growth

U.S. Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD (R-Southwest Louisiana) supported an amendment on Monday to improve funding of the Army Corps of Engineers Operations and Maintenance account by adding $6.3 million for FY 2012 dredging activities.

“This amendment is a short-term step to close a gap in South Louisiana’s dredging needs,” Boustany said. “Adequately dredging our ports and waterways ensures a safe and efficient flow of agricultural commodities and manufactured products, and it will help create jobs. I encourage rapid passage of The RAMP Act, H.R. 104 which is a long-term solution to address the critical shortfall in dredging.”

The amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill passed the House by a vote of 241 to 168. Boustany’s bill, The Realize America’s Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act, ensures funds collected in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund are used solely for dredging American waterways and ports. This bipartisan bill has more than 100 cosponsors and is pending approval by the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

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Source: U.S. Congressman Charles W. Boustany, July 13, 2011