Posted: March 29, 2011

Proposed dredging cuts at 13 Michigan ports threaten U.S. jobs


The Obama Administration's proposed dredging budget for fiscal year 2012 does not include any funding for dredging at 13 Michigan ports, which collectively handle more than 31 million tons of cargo on average per year, reported the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF).

The budget proposal threatens the region's economy and endangers jobs throughout the Great Lakes.

"It is impossible to fathom the rationale behind this abandonment of vital ports," said John Baker, president of the task force. "We are putting jobs at risk for no reason whatsoever."

The money to dredge Michigan's ports, and those of the entire Great Lakes navigation system, is available in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF), which currently carries a surplus of more than $5.6 billion dollars. The HMTF is funded by the Harbor Maintenance Tax on cargo shipped through U.S. ports, and is intended to be used on maintenance dredging of navigational channels.

Michigan Democratic Sen. Carl Levin has authored legislation (S. 412) that would require funds deposited into the HMTF to be spent on harbor maintenance each year. Companion legislation (H.R. 104) was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA). If passed, these bills would help ensure Michigan and other Great Lakes ports are dredged to their proper depth, ensuring efficient movement of commodities and goods throughout the region.