WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) voted Thursday in support of H.R. 3183, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, which includes nearly $31 million for projects in Northern Michigan.  The bill also includes $12,219,000 for projects across the Great Lakes region that could benefit Northern Michigan.  The bill, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives 308 to 114, provides funding for the U.S. Department of Energy, Army Corps of Engineers and related federal agencies. 

“The Great Lakes and our navigable waterways play a critical role in the economic well-being of Northern Michigan and the entire state,” Stupak said.  “This large investment in the infrastructure and maintenance needs of our waterways makes perfect sense given we touch three of the five Great Lakes and have more shoreline than any other district except Alaska.  I was pleased to vote for this legislation and I will continue to work to bring funding for energy and water projects to Northern Michigan.”

The bill now awaits a final vote in the Senate before going to the president for his signature.

Northern Michigan Projects

$21,867,000 for the Corps of Engineers to operate and maintain the Soo Locks.  Funding will be used to improve the efficiency of the locks, reduce downtime and vessel delays, and upgrade aging infrastructure at the facility.  Work will focus on the Poe and McArthur locks.

$969,000 for continued construction of a new Soo Lock.

$1,066,000 for Ontonagon Harbor.  Funding will be used for pier repairs and dredging of the harbor.

$727,000 for the city of Negaunee.  Funding will be used for wastewater infrastructure work.

$117,000 for Menominee Harbor.  Funding will be used to maintain the harbor’s navigational structure.

$318,000 for Presque Isle Harbor.  Funding will be used to maintain the harbor’s navigational structure and mapping of the channel.

$193,000 for Charlevoix Harbor.  Funding will be used to remove obstructions on the harbor and to map the channel.  Sand blowing over the structures causes sediment build up that requires annual clearing. 

$37,000 for the Keweenaw Waterway.  Funding will be used for environmental stewardship activities and to coordinate structural repairs.

$300,000 for energy efficiency and weatherization upgrades at Gogebic Community College.  Funding will be used to replace hot water heaters with energy-efficient models; install energy recovery ventilators on furnaces; modernize air handling units; replace boilers and weatherize the main academic building with energy-efficient windows.

$3,000,000 for the Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research.  The Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research, Inc. (CPBR) is a non-profit corporation of 43 of the leading U.S. research universities, including Michigan State University and Michigan Technological University.  The consortium’s research produces technological innovations for higher quality crops and cropping practices, improved biomass energy production, commercially valuable alternative co-products, objective information on the relationship between genetically engineered plants and the environment, prevention/remediation of hazardous wastes, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

$2,482,000 for surveillance of Michigan’s northern boundary waters, including monitoring of water levels and other coordinates activities with the International Joint Commission (IJC).

Additional funding in the bill includes $6 million for immediate harbor maintenance dredging projects in Michigan and $6,219,000 for Great Lakes regional projects.  The Corps of Engineers will determine how much of the $6 million dredging fund will be dedicated to each eligible project.

Northern Michigan Harbors Eligible for Harbor Dredging Projects

Alpena Harbor

Au Sable Harbor

Big Bay Harbor

Black River Harbor

Eagle Harbor

Grand Marais Harbor

Inland Route, MI

Lac La Belle Harbor

Les Cheneaux Islands

Little Lake Harbor

Manistique Harbor

Marquette Harbor

Menominee Harbor

Point Lookout Harbor

Great Lakes Regional Projects

$341,000 for a Great Lakes navigational study.  The study, conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers, determines the requirements to maintain the integrity of the Great Lakes navigation system and environmental sustainability of the waterway for the next fifty years.

$3,407,000 for Great Lakes remedial action plans and sediment remediation. This program provides technical support to state and local organizations to develop and implement their Remedial Action Plans for Great Lakes Areas of Concern which are designated geographic areas within the Great Lakes Basin that show severe environmental degradation.

$2,471,000 to protect and restore Great Lakes fisheries and ecosystem.  This funding will allow the Army Corps of Engineers to assist the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, local governments and non-profits in planning, design, and construction of restoration projects.

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