Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RICHARD JENKINS
Michigan’s two senators are looking for answers regarding whether any Great Lakes projects could be impacted by President Donald Trump’s effort to build a wall on the southern border.
Citing a National Public Radio story that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been asked to identify projects that could be canceled or delayed to free up funding for a border barrier, Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters wrote a letter to R.D. James, the assistant secretary of the Army (Civil Works) on Monday.
“We write to request an update on any intentions by your agency to change the spending levels outlined in the work plan for Fiscal Year 2019,” the letter reads. “Namely, we write to receive assurances that the Army Corps is not considering reallocating funding away from the Soo Locks, and other agency projects critical to the safety and wellbeing of Michigan and the entire Great Lakes.”
Both Democratic senators are on the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, with Stabenow serving as co-chair.
The work plan includes $32.38 million to begin the process of building a new lock and over $15 million to ensure the existing lock continues to operate, according to the letter.
Trump has threatened to declare a national emergency if he is unable to reach a deal with Democrats in Congress over the $5.7 billion requested to fund his border wall, NPR reports, which would activate special powers that would allow the president to redirect funds without additional approval from Congress.
Along with the Soo locks, the letter identifies two other spending priorities the senators are seeking reassurance won’t be redirected — dredging projects around the Great Lakes and combatting the spread of Asian carp.
The 2019 work plan outlines $48 million in approved spending on 26 dredging projects around the Great Lakes, according to the letter, including five new dredging projects and three projects with additional funding.
“Maintenance of these harbors is critical to commercial and recreational navigation, public safety and the economies of our state and local communities,” the letter reads.
One of the dredging projects awarded money for 2019 work is Ontonagon Harbor.
The Army Corps awarded King Company, Inc., $1.1 million in December for maintenance dredging of the harbor’s federal channel, something locals say is key to allowing the return of shipping to the harbor.
The Army Corp’s Detroit office — which oversees much of the Great Lakes, including Lake Superior — referred any question regarding border wall funding to the Department of Defense, where a spokesman declined to comment beyond saying the department is looking at options.
“No decisions have been made on Department of Defense funding for a border wall, but the department is reviewing available authorities and funding mechanisms to identify options. As there has not been such a decision made, it would be inappropriate to comment further on those efforts,” Capt. Bill Speaks told the Daily Globe in an email.
One local project that doesn’t require worry is Saxon Harbor.
Iron County Forestry and Parks Administrator Eric Peterson said the Army Corps’ spending there won’t be impacted by any diversion of funds, as the work there has already been completed and paid for.
Roen Salvage was awarded a $993,000 contract for dredging the marina’s channel as part of the rebuilding effort following Saxon Harbor’s destruction during the July 2016 storm. The company completed its work over the summer.
A spokesperson for Stabenow’s office told the Daily Globe she wasn’t aware of the office receiving a response to the letter as of Thursday.