WASHINGTON – Sens. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich, and Carl Levin, D-Mich.., announced today that Michigan and the Great Lakes will receive $88,606,000 in the FY 2010 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.  The funding includes more than $24 million for energy research, advanced technology development, and other energy projects, and more than $64 million in water infrastructure projects to improve Michigan’s navigational system, protect aquatic +ecosystems, upgrade wastewater systems, provide flood control, and help restore the Great Lakes ecosystem.  The Senate approved the conference report for the energy and water development funding bill today by a vote of 80-17.  The House passed the conference report on October 1, and it now goes to the president for his signature.

The legislation includes $12 million for research and development, conceptual design and engineering for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) to be built at Michigan State University.  The U.S. Department of Energy plans call for engineering and initial design work on the FRIB to continue in FY 2011 and 2012 with construction of the facility to begin in FY 2013. 

“These are important investments in Michigan’s energy and water infrastructure,” said Stabenow.  “From funding of innovative research to restoring and protecting our Great Lakes and waterways, these funds are critical to our state.  I am particularly pleased to see that the Army Corps of Engineers will undertake long overdue projects throughout many of our harbors and waterways."

“Inclusion of $12 million for the FRIB is critical to moving this facility forward at Michigan State, an institution renown in the field of rare isotopes and nuclear physics,” Levin said.  “This legislation also includes funding for several vital energy projects in Michigan such as advanced batteries, plug-in hybrid vehicles, wind energy, biomass and energy efficiency.  I’m also pleased several programs that help restore and protect the Great Lakes will receive crucial funding, and that the bill ensures that dredging and other maintenance projects for several Michigan harbors and waterways will be undertaken this year by the Army Corps of Engineers.”

A full list of projects that will benefit Michigan follows.

Army Corps of Engineers Projects

Great Lakes Projects

Remedial Action Plan (RAP) Technical Assistance                                               $3,407,000

This program allows the Army Corps to provide technical support to states and local organizations in the development and implementation of RAPs at Areas of Concern. Funding can be used by communities throughout Michigan.

Sediment Transport Models and Sediment Management Planning                     $1,140,000

This authority allows the Army Corps to construct watershed-based sedimentation models and to train managers in their use for sediment management.

Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration                                                  $2,471,000

This basin-wide program focuses on funding fishery and ecosystem restoration projects such as dam removal, fish passage construction and wetland restoration. Currently, several projects are underway in Michigan including removal of the Boardman River dams in Traverse City and construction of a fish passage in Frankenmuth.  This restoration program is integral to overall restoration efforts throughout the Great Lakes.

Asian Carp Dispersal Barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal             $6,095,000

This funding will provide $5,826,000 to operate Barrier I, complete construction of Barrier II, and prepare designs for making Barrier I permanent; and $269,000 will be used for a study to consider options to improve the barrier.

Great Lakes Navigation in Michigan                                                              $48,106,000

(See end of release for more detail)

Other Navigation Projects

Sault Ste. Marie Replacement Lock (New Poe-Sized Lock)                                  $969,000

Funding will allow the Army Corps to continue with the construction of a new lock to replace two older locks that no longer operate.  T he funding included in the conference report is significantly less than what is needed, and it is critical the administration begin budgeting for this project.  The conference report states:

“ The conferees are deeply concerned that despite congressional support for the project, the support of the states in the region, and the fact that the Army Corps of Engineers recognizes the Soo Locks as the 'single point of failure' that can cripple Great Lakes shipping, the Administration has failed to include funding for a second large lock, either under the authority provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) or in its budget request for fiscal year 2010.” 

Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City - Harbor Renovation – listed to receive priority funding

Funding will be used to renovate the college’s breakwater and harbor, which serve multiple purposes by supporting operations of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, our nation's only freshwater state maritime academy; providing access for the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute; providing public access to a new fishing pier; and allowing for research access by partner universities.

Manistee Harbor and River Channel – listed to receive priority funding

Funding would be used to mitigate the shoreline damages and erosion at Manistee Harbor, which is adjacent to a federally-maintained commercial navigation channel. 

Mackinac Island Harbor Breakwater Improvements – listed to receive priority funding

Funding would assist with the construction of a breakwater to protect the inner harbor from strong storm surges.  This is critical for providing access to the city of Mackinac Island.

Great Lakes Navigational System Study                                                                $341,000

The purpose of this study is to ensure the Great Lakes navigational system can continue to reliably serve North America’s economy over the next 50 years.

Sewer Infrastructure Projects

Genesee County Sewer Project                                                                                $518,000

Funding will be used for improvements on 23 miles of sanitary sewer pipe along with two pump stations that will collect local sanitary sewage and transport it to a compliant treatment facility, thereby eliminating direct discharge of sewage into surface waters, lakes or streams.

Negaunee - Wastewater System                                                                               $727,000

Funding will support the city’s large-scale, systematic wastewater upgrade that was initiated in 2002. City officials are working closely with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete the previously funded components of this project and to meet local match requirements.

Flood Control Projects

City of Flint - Hamilton Dam Renovation Project, Flint River                             $242,000

Funding will be used to address flooding and safety concerns with the Hamilton Dam in Flint.  The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has concluded that there is a possibility that the dam could fail, and a study conducted in 2000 by the Army Corps of Engineers recommended that the dam be replaced. Funding will help the Army Corps plan how to improve this dam. 

Cass River, Spaulding Township - Flood Control Improvements – listed to receive priority funding

Funding will be used to design and construct a dike on the south side of the Cass River.  The Cass River has flooded nearby properties in Spaulding Township on a regular basis for the past several years, and this project will help control these floods.

Environmental Restoration Projects

Lansing, Grand River Waterfront Restoration                                                     $90,000

Funding will be used by the Army Corps to continue its partnership with the city of Lansing in the Grand River waterfront restoration project, which includes a range of projects such as shoreline and ecosystem restoration, flood control, dam modification/removal, recreational and other potential projects. Funding may also be used to develop a master plan for this project.

St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair Management Plan Implementation               $100,000

Funding will be used to evaluate causes of environmental stress on the St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair and develop recommendations for management priorities and potential restoration measures. The Corps will establish and lead a partnership of appropriate federal agencies and the state of Michigan to develop and implement projects consistent with the management plan.

Calhoun County - Homer Lake, St. Joseph River – Ecosystem Restoration -- listed to receive priority funding

Funding would be used to assess the feasibility of moving forward with this project.  Homer Lake is contaminated with sediments and nutrients that have altered the lake’s natural conditions.  This project would involve the removal of sediments and the re-establishment of fishery and aquatic habitat in the lake.

---- Breakdown in Funding for Great Lakes Navigation in Michigan—

Great Lakes Navigation in Michigan                                                                  $48,106,000

Funding was included for a number of Michigan’s harbors and channels for dredging and other operations and maintenance needs, such as disposal of dredged materials and maintenance of locks and breakwaters.  About 180 million tons of goods are transported to and from Great Lakes harbors and ports each year, and the funding for navigation in Michigan is essential to commerce and the economy. 

$48 million was included to maintain Michigan’s harbors and channels.  This $48 million includes an additional $6 million above the administration’s budget to address the backlog in dredging and other needs at Michigan harbors and waterways. This $6 million can be used for any of the harbors and waterways listed in the table below, including those projects with specific dollar amounts. 

The conference report directs the Army Corps to propose a dredging program for fiscal year 2010 that would most effectively utilize the scarce funds available for these harbors.  Depending on the Army Corps’ plan, the exact amounts provided to each harbor may change from those listed in the following table. The Army Corps may reallocate the funding across harbors based on technical matters and to most effectively utilize the scarce funds available. 

# # #