Legislation ensures Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund dollars will be used at federal ports.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) has reintroduced legislation that would ensure increased funding for maintenance and operations of federal ports—including Sandusky, Ohio. The Harbor Maintenance Act would ensure that funds deposited in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund go toward maintenance, operations and construction at federal ports. In calling for money to be allocated to federal ports, Brown noted Sandusky Harbor, which supports more than 410 jobs. U.S. Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) are the lead sponsors.
“The Sandusky harbor is critical to the commercial and recreational life in northeastern Ohio. With the port and river supporting hundreds of jobs, we cannot afford further delays to harbor maintenance, which could slow commerce, stifle economic growth and cost jobs.” Brown says. “The Harbor Maintenance Act would ensure that funds are spent to maintain and dredge Ohio’s 15 harbors each year so that shipping and other port-related activities can continue without interruption.”
Brown, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, says that he has fought to fully fund the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). The GLRI is an interagency effort to target the most significant problems in the region and jumpstart restoration efforts to protect, maintain, and restore the chemical, biological, and physical integrity of the Great Lakes.