WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday passed H.R. 3619, the Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011.  Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) worked to include language in the bill authorizing three United States Coast Guard (USCG) land transfers in northern Michigan. 

The Coast Guard station in Marquette, Michigan relocated to a new location within the City that allows the Coast Guard to streamline their operations, be closer to the dock and therefore respond to emergencies more quickly. The City of Marquette sold city property for the new facility to the Coast Guard for $1 in 2008.  

Marquette funded infrastructure improvements for the new Coast Guard facility including water main construction, water lateral construction, and reroutes of bike trails at a total cost of $170,000.  

The Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 conveys the old Coast Guard land back to the City.  To make clear congressional intent of this bill, Congressman Stupak and Congressman Jim Oberstar, Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, participated in a colloquy urging Congress to recognize Marquette’s contribution.

“Congress must recognize the City of Marquette’s contribution to the Coast Guard in 2008 and perform this land transfer at no cost to the City,” said Stupak.  “Marquette has already bore significant costs by transferring a new parcel of land to the agency and has spent $170,000 in infrastructure costs.  The City of Marquette has contributed greatly to the Coast Guard and should incur no additional costs.”

Congressman Stupak also included language in the bill to transfer excess land owned by the Coast Guard to the Cornerstone Christian Academy in Cheboygan, Michigan through a conveyance process that grants the school the right of first refusal to purchase the land.  The Congressman also included language in the bill to authorize the USCG to transfer the Fresnel Lens in the Presque Isle Light Station to the Presque Isle Township after the agency determines the necessity of maintaining the lighthouse as an aide to navigation. 

The Coast Guard Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 now goes to the United States Senate for approval.

# # #