December 26, 2007
Wednesday

(SitNews). ­ President George W. Bush today signed into law the Omnibus Appropriations bill (H.R. 2764), which contains funding for a series of water projects. Harbor and port projects across the state, ranging from Akutan to Barrow to Ketchikan, received funding in the legislation.

"A viable harbor is the key to a vibrant local economy for our communities," said Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska. "But more importantly, our ports provide a gateway for Alaskans to receive basic goods and services. In many communities absent of roads, our harbors are our lifeline."

Several Alaska ports and harbors received significant funding for ongoing projects. The Port of Anchorage received $15.1 million** in the bill for dredging. Another $3 million was allocated to the Nome harbor for dredging, sheet-pile replacement, and construction. The St. Paul harbor received $2.8 million for construction and another $6.6 million will be provided to the Unalaska harbor.

Other Alaska water projects supported by Senator Stevens that were included in the bill passed by Congress include:

• $564,000 to Bar Point in Ketchikan for navigational improvements
• $153,000 for a navigation study for the Haines harbor
• $175,000 for Whittier harbor development and feasibility planning
• $175,000 for Homer harbor modification
• $500,000 for an Anchorage harbor deepening project
• $400,000 to Barrow for a coastal storm damage reduction feasibility study
• $218,000 for the Delong Mountain Dock
• $218,000 to stop the eroding bluff in Old Town Kenai
• $262,000 to the Little Diomede harbor for a navigation study
• $131,000 for the Mat-Su River watershed
• $262,000 to McGrath for bank stabilization
• $600,000 for Yakutat flood control
• $2.4 million to the Chena River Lakes for reconnaissance
• $470,000 to Cordova harbor for navigational improvements
• $752,000 to the Dillingham harbor for navigational improvements
• $329,000 to the Homer harbor for navigational improvements
• $329,000 to the Ninilchik harbor for navigational improvements
• $1 million to complete construction at the Chicnik Harbor
• $356,000 for the Sitka harbor breakwater upgrade
• $476,000 to initiate construction at the Akutan harbor

Funding levels for the Army Corps of Engineers contained in the Omnibus Appropriations Act are subject to a 1.6 percent reduction as part of a bipartisan compromise needed to pass the bill. Thesespending figures do not reflect these reductions.

Source of News:

Office of Sen. Ted Stevens
www.stevens.senate.gov

 

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