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Press Release

For Immediate Release
March 27, 2008
Contact: Sean C. Bonyun
(202) 225-3761

Upton to Urge Emergency Dredging of St. Joe Harbor

Army Corps of Engineers inspected harbor this morning at Upton’s request, preliminary data indicates severe shoaling

Upton: “Our local economy hangs in the balance.”

ST. JOSEPH, MI – Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) will urge the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct emergency dredging of St. Joseph Harbor following the grounding of a commercial vessel on Monday night. After a tug and barge were unable to access the commercial portion of the inner harbor on Monday evening, Upton immediately contacted the Grand Haven and Detroit offices of the Army Corps of Engineers and requested that they promptly inspect the Harbor to determine its depth.

The Army Corps of Engineers was on site first thing this morning to conduct sounding of the harbor and preliminary data indicates that the harbor will need emergency dredging to ensure continued commercial activity. The viability of St. Joseph Harbor is of utmost priority for Upton. Upton has delivered millions of dollars for seasonal dredging of St. Joe Harbor, including $950,000 for dredging this year.

“Judging the preliminary data from this afternoon’s inspection, it is clear that we will need an emergency declaration for our harbor to ensure we preserve its commercial viability. Our local economy hangs in the balance,” said Upton. “Not only are our shippers in dire straits with our harbor choked off, the ripple effect upon our local economy will be severe. We will do everything in our power to ensure that St. Joe Harbor is a top priority for the Army Corps and that our harbor will soon be fully operational.”

Upton is hopeful that the Army Corps of Engineers will swiftly change course to make St. Joseph Harbor a high priority to be dredged within the next week or two. Upton will also work with local government agencies to ensure quick approval for the disposal of the dredged material.

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