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Washington, D.C.- Congressman Dale E. Kildee, working with Congressmen Dave Camp and Bart Stupak, announced that $3 million has been procured for critical dredging in the Saginaw River. At the Congressmen’s request, this funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2005 House Energy and Water Appropriations Bill. The funding bill passed in the U.S. House on June 25th.
“This funding is vital for our community’s economic and workforce needs” said Rep. Kildee. “The Saginaw River is an essential transportation link in our state and without this dredging, our businesses, farmers and families could be negatively affected.”
Congressman Camp agreed, saying “Dredging the Saginaw River is critical to keeping jobs in mid-Michigan and allowing our local businesses to grow and expand. These federal funds will go a long way to making sure the Saginaw River remains one of the busiest commercial routes on the Great Lakes.”
Congressman Stupak added, “I am pleased that the House included funding for this critically important initiative. I have met with area businesses on this issue and I am pleased with this first step for dredging and improving navigation on the Saginaw River to help strengthen the economy of these port communities.”
The Saginaw River acts as drainage for all or part of 22 counties in the State of Michigan and there is an essential need for maintenance. The River has been a shipping channel providing vital services to many communities in the region since the early 1900’s.
Last year, Kildee secured $2.251 million in the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill for dredging in the Saginaw River.
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