House passes $3.9M funding for dredging

Daily Triplicate

After nine years of no dredging, lately it seems to be pouring dredging funds.

U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson has secured in the House of Representatives $3.9 million more funding for dredging Crescent City's harbor.

The bill, the Energy and Water Appropriations Act, which is intended to invest in new technologies, scientific research and conservation efforts, still has to go through the Senate.
"We are absolutely delighted that Congressman Thompson has secured the additional dredging funds," said Harbor Master Richard Young. "He didn't have to, but I think he really understands how important our harbor is for the economy of the area."

The funds are for the fiscal year 2010, and according to Young, will make it possible for the Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the parts of the Federal Channel that won't be done this year.

The Corps has $4.35 million in dredging funds for this year that will be used to dredge the critical portion of the federal channel, which lies off the north side of Citizens Dock and extends slightly into the mouth of the inner boat basin.

Despite the fact that the bill still has to go through the Senate, Young is optimistic.

"I've heard that it is a pretty good bet that we will get some if not all the funds," Young said.

The Harbor Commission will be meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Flynn Center to approve its budget for this fiscal year.

"There really aren't any drastic changes," Young said.

Young did acknowledge that California's current fiscal crisis could force the harbor to revisit its budget if state lawmakers decide to raid local tax coffers.