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Press Release

For Immediate Release
June 25, 2008
Contact: Sean C. Bonyun
(202) 225-3761

Upton Delivers $1 Million to Dredge St. Joe Harbor in 2009
Harbor is vital to the local economy - Upton delivers funds as harbor is currently being dredged to a depth of 22 feet following emergency declaration

WASHINGTON, DC –Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) has secured $1.06 million in additional funding to dredge St. Joseph Harbor.  Although the inner harbor is currently being dredged to a depth of 22 feet following unprecedented shoaling this spring, the additional funds will be used to ensure that the depth of the inner and outer harbors is maintained in 2009.  Upton secured the funding in the House Energy and Water spending bill that is pending consideration.  St. Joe Harbor is of utmost priority for Upton, who has delivered millions of dollars for seasonal dredging of the harbor, including $950,000 for the emergency dredging currently underway.

“This funding is a big win for our community,” said Upton.  “The harbor plays such a vital role to our local economy and this funding will ensure the continued delivery of raw materials to our community, keeping costs down for local residents.  Mother Nature was not kind to us during the off-season with the unprecedented shoaling of the inner harbor, but this funding guarantees that we will have the resources available to maintain operating depth and ensure ships will continue to be able to access our harbor.” 

On Monday, March 24, 2008, a tug and barge was unable to reach the commercial docks.  At Upton’s request, the Army Corps of Engineers was on site within 48 hours to complete soundings of the harbor.  Findings revealed 180,000 cubic yards of sediment that had choked off the ability of ships to reach commercial docks, including the federal channel which is only a depth of 6 feet in certain areas instead of its operating depth of 21 feet.  Upton immediately requested an emergency declaration which the Army Corps granted, allowing for the expedited dredging of the harbor.

The St. Joseph Harbor is an integral cog in the region’s economic engine.  A recent study by Purdue University gauged the harbor’s economic impact at more than $5.5 million dollars more than 35 local jobs. The inner harbor is a key port for raw materials such as limestone, sand and gravel for state highways - major road projects along Interstate 94 and Interstate 196 are served by the port, and the loss of shipping could triple the cost of those projects. 

The St. Joseph Harbor is among the top 50 in commercial activity among Great Lakes Harbors, averaging around 700,000 tons of materials over the past seven years.  In fact, shipping tonnage increased 18 percent last year as the harbor was recovering from low water problems and an emergency dredging in 2005.

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