Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH) and President Obama secured $836,000 from the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act for the Army Corps of Engineers to dredge Lorain Harbor. This funding comes out of $5.4 billion that has been allocated to the Army Corps of Engineers to address the nation's water resource investment needs. Of the total $5.4 billion, $2.4 billion will be used to address the more than $1 billion backlog of operations and maintenance needs of navigation infrastructure that is critical to the U.S. economy. Another $2 billion will be used for on-going flood protection efforts, and $160 million will be used to design the next generation of water resource infrastructure.

"This investment will improve water quality and spur economic development in our communities," Rep. Sutton said. "This funding will help lay a new foundation for lasting prosperity - one that will support good jobs, rising incomes and growth in the industries of the 21st century."

Approximately 150,000 cubic yards (CY) of material must be dredged every two years.  The harbor was last dredged in 2008, when approximately 80,000 CY of material was removed.

"The Port of Lorain and its represented maritime industries are very appreciative of Congresswoman Sutton's efforts to capture these funds for dredging of the harbor and river area," said Executive Director Rick Novak. "Over the past few years, due to limited funding, limited dredging of the river and harbor has resulted in vessels transiting the river to reduce their loads, resulting in additional cost and expense.  These funds will help reduce the problem of "light loading" and assist local businesses and industries. We are very fortunate that Congresswoman Sutton has worked hard with us at the local level to bring these dollars back to our community."

Once the conference report is approved by the Senate, the bill will go on the President to be signed into law.

###