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Boustany Votes for Emergency Dredging Funds; Meets with Corps to Ensure Calcasieu Ship Channel Receives Aid

Sep 24 2008

 Washington, D.C.– U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., (R-Southwest Louisiana), today voted for $740 million to fund emergency dredging operations and met with Army Corps of Engineers Colonel Alvin Lee to ensure the Calcasieu Ship Channel’s needs are addressed.

“Hurricanes Gustav and Ike are painful reminders of the work needed for the Calcasieu Ship Channel and our critical wetlands in Southwest Louisiana,” Boustany said.  “Today, I proudly supported funding our nation’s emergency dredging needs, and I call on Colonel Lee and the Army Corps to provide $40 million of that for the Calcasieu Ship Channel. It must be a top priority for the Corps.”
 
Today, Congress approved $740 million for emergency dredging as part of the Continuing Resolution, H. Res. 2638. The funds will be administered by the Army Corps of Engineers in disaster-impacted areas around the country.  The Continuing Resolution passed 370-58.
 
Earlier in the day, Boustany further advanced coastal restoration and economic development for Southwest Louisiana when he submitted four survey resolutions to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee which passed unanimously. Each survey resolution addressed a specific geographic area and will demonstrate a federal interest for improvement. Once the Corps determines a compelling federal interest, funds can be secured to complete the projects.
 
Boustany, a member of the committee, supported the following study resolutions:
 
Ø      Vinton Harbor & Terminal District Navigation
Ø      St. Landry Parish/Acadia Parish Flood Control
Ø      Mermentau Basin Environmental Restoration
Ø      Gulf Intracoastal Waterway Shoreline Protection
 
Boustany continued, “The Calcasieu Ship Channel dredging, coupled with the four survey resolutions I introduced today, is another important step for our comprehensive economic development and coastal restoration plans. I am committed to restoring our wetlands to protect against future hurricanes similar to Rita, Gustav and Ike.”
 
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