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WASHINGTON - Federal approval has been granted for Manitowoc Harbor and River dredging, Green Bay Harbor and Fox River clean up, and for a study of the Johnsonville Dam, now that the Senate Thursday has overridden President Bush's veto of H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, with a two-thirds majority vote of 79 to 14.
By a vote of 361 to 54, the House voted to do the same Tuesday, and the bill has become law despite the President's objections.
"Getting these projects authorized is important for the economy of east-central Wisconsin," said Petri, who pushed for their inclusion in the bill and supported the legislation in the House.
The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the Manitowoc River between the Federal Channel and the Canadian National Railroad Bridge to a depth of 18 feet. The approved depth in current law is 12 feet.
Funds were approved in a 2006 funding bill, but this legislative change is necessary in order to do the dredging to a deeper depth.
Increasing the depth in this upstream segment will support growth at the Burger Boat Company, which employs approximately 425 people, as well as the neighboring riverfront businesses. By increasing the depth of the Federal Channel at this location, the companies will be at considerably less risk of damaging their products when they leave their launch area and travel the Federal Channel to Lake Michigan.
"It is also very likely that the increased depth will actually reduce the frequency of dredging in this area since there will be a greater margin in the channel for the buildup of silt and low water levels," Petri said. "Most importantly, dredging in this section will allow Burger Boat to build larger boats to attract more business and expand employment."
Burger Boat Company President Jim Ruffolo said: “The Company is elated with news that the decision to dredge the Federal Channel from 12 feet to 18 is now closer to reality. Thanks to all who have taken time to understand and help advance the project to this point. When this work is completed, our vessels will be able to move from our docks into the Federal Channel without risk of damage. Another major benefit is: The need for maintenance dredging along the docks of all neighboring businesses and the US Army Corps of Engineers' cost to maintain the Federal Channel, will be significantly reduced. This represents a win-win outcome for all parties.”
The second project included in the bill for Manitowoc will increase the depth of the Federal Channel to 23 feet for a small 100 foot wide swath in Manitowoc Harbor. The car ferry that operates out of this location provides service between Manitowoc and Ludington, MI, and is an important component of the area's economy.
"After a long absence, the car ferry returned to Manitowoc in the mid-1990s. Unlike many similar ventures, it has operated without any government subsidies, and I think that's particularly noteworthy," Petri said. "During the years that the car ferry did not operate, the authorization for federal dredging in this section of the harbor was removed. Reauthorizing dredging in this small swath is necessary in light of car ferry operations."
The Army Corps of Engineers has classified both projects as Level 1A priorities.
The legislation also includes provisions for the clean up of contaminated sediment in Green Bay Harbor and on the Fox River. The House-Senate conference on the bill accepted the Senate provision which would change the authorized depth of the channel to six feet. Current law authorizes a channel depth of 18 feet, but it was decided that that depth would have made it very difficult to cap, and thus immobilize, polychlorinated biphenyl pollution resting on the bottom of the river.
Also in the bill is a provision to conduct a study of the Johnsonville Dam to determine if the structure prevents ice jams on the Sheboygan River.
The Manitowoc River project is authorized at $405,000. The dollar amounts for the other projects will have to be determined based on analyses of the Army Corps of Engineers.
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