WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) has written to and spoken with key House committee chairmen and the Army Corps of Engineers urging that funding for construction of the new Soo Lock and an additional icebreaker for the Great Lakes be included in an economic stimulus package expected to be considered by Congress in January.

“Construction of the new Soo Lock and an additional icebreaker for the Great Lakes would spur economic activity in the entire Great Lakes region,” Stupak said.  “Construction of the new Soo Lock would be the largest public works navigation project on the Great Lakes in a generation and would generate nearly $500 million annually in economic activity.  An additional icebreaker would help ensure the movement of commerce across the Great Lakes through the winter months.”

President-elect Obama has asked Congress to have an economic stimulus package, including billions of dollars for infrastructure projects, ready to sign upon taking office on Jan. 20, 2009.   Obama has emphasized that projects should be “shovel ready,” with design, engineering and environmental studies complete, so construction can begin immediately.

“No project meets the definition of ‘shovel ready’ more than the replacement Soo Lock,” Stupak said.  “Now that these steps are completed, the Army Corps has no more excuses and is ready to begin full construction as soon as federal funding is appropriated.”

The Soo Locks currently consist of four separate locks.  The newest of those – the Poe Lock, constructed in 1968 – is the only lock that can accommodate larger modern vessels that account for two-thirds of all traffic through the Soo Locks.  The Poe Lock is the largest lock in the Western Hemisphere and the busiest lock in the world.  Each year, 80 to 90 million tons of freight move through the Soo Locks, including nearly 80 percent of the raw materials needed for America’s steel industry, an industry that supports an estimated 400,000 American jobs. 

“As lake vessels have grown in carrying capacity and size, the Poe Lock is the only lock that can accommodate the vast majority of traffic through the locks,” Stupak said.  “The Poe Lock is 40 years old and if it were rendered unusable for any reason – even for a short time – it could have a devastating effect on the flow of goods through the region.”

Construction of the new lock was first authorized by Congress in 1986.  In 2007, Stupak secured a mandate for the project, requiring that the Army Corps shall construct the new Soo Lock at full federal expense.

“After 13 years and $20 million of federally funded studies and preparation, there is no excuse for not building the new Soo Lock,” Stupak said.

During the winter months, 17 million tons of commerce moves through the Great Lakes and icebreakers play an important role in keeping channels open.  Ice breaking capacity on the Great Lakes has dropped dramatically over the past few years.  The Coast Guard Cutter Acacia was decommissioned on June 7, 2006 after 60 years of service.  In addition, the Canadian government recently decommissioned two of its icebreakers without replacing them.

“Without a sufficient cutter presence, the island communities, businesses and individuals that rely on Great Lakes shipping are put at risk,” Stupak said.  “It is important that we appropriate funding for a new Coast Guard cutter and ensure the Coast Guard can meet its operational responsibilities on the Great Lakes.”

Investing in another cutter patterned after the Mackinaw will generate jobs and economic growth in the Great Lakes region.  This project would immediately put people back to work and would benefit the Coast Guard’s long-term mission on the Great Lakes.  Stupak noted that an additional cutter could quickly be built as the design and engineering plans are with Marinette Marine Corporation.  Marinette Marine delivered the Mackinaw to the Coast Guard in 2005.

The full text of Stupak’s letter regarding the Soo Lock is available at: http://www.house.gov/stupak/20081210soolock.pdf

The full text of Stupak’s letter regarding a new icebreaker is available at: http://www.house.gov/stupak/20081103cutter.pdf