The Great Lakes maritime industry received a big boost recently when the House of Representatives passed a funding bill that provides for increased monies for the Army Corps of Engineers and designates $2 million for the design of a second large lock at the Soo Locks between Lake Superior and the rest of the Great Lakes.

The fiscal year 2008 energy and water appropriations bill includes $126.9 million for operations and maintenance work by the Army Corps of Engineers, a $21 million increase from the amount originally requested by the Bush administration.  Much of these dollars would be used for dredging projects.  According to recent estimates, it will take $200 million to fully address the backlog of dredging projects on the Great Lakes.

Maritime labor considers the $2 million designated for a second large lock as indispensable, especially since the Poe Lock is the only lock in the system capable of accommodating vessels longer than 750 feet.  Yet the Poe is 40 years old, and a failure there would shut down much of the shipping on the upper lakes.

Rep. Dave Obey (D-WI), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, expressed satisfaction with the funding levels and put them in the following context:

“The Great Lakes maritime industry contributes greatly to our economy and is a vital source of good-paying jobs for the region.  Yet, the Great Lakes have experienced decades of inadequate federal investment, which has reduced the efficiency and productivity of that industry and left us facing the growing likelihood of a disruption to our region’s economy. 

“We can’t reverse the chronic under-funding of the Great Lakes in one year, but we can make a start.”

While stressing that the bill must be approved by the Senate and signed by President Bush before it becomes law, Obey noted, “A major hurdle has been cleared.”