The President’s Budget for fiscal year 2013 (FY13) includes more than $4.7 billion in discretionary funding for the Civil Works program (see release below) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Corps, with almost $64 million for Detroit District projects around the Great Lakes.
The Civil Works budget funds the operation and maintenance program, which includes the maintenance of federal shipping channels on the Great Lakes, maintenance of federal structures, and the operation and maintenance of the Soo locks. Incorporated in the budget is funding that will be used across the district's jurisdiction in Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin.
"The Detroit District budget reflects the Administration's fiscal year 2013 annual Civil Works program which was developed as a fiscally prudent investment in the development, management, restoration, and protection of the Nation's water, wetlands, and related resources. This is performance-based budget that delivers benefits to commercial navigation, flood risk management, and aquatic ecosystem restoration" said Lt. Col. Mike Derosier, district engineer, Detroit District.
The FY13 funding will be distributed among the Detroit District major projects as follows:
| St. Marys River/ Soo Locks, MI |
Navigation/ Hydropower/ Recreation |
$26 million |
| Green Bay Harbor (Cat Island DMDF) |
Construction |
$7 million |
| Detroit River, MI |
Navigation |
$5.8 million |
| Duluth, MN/ Superior, WI |
Navigation/ Recreation |
$5.5 million |
| Saginaw River, MI |
Navigation |
$4.1 million |
| Green Bay Harbor, WI |
Navigation |
$3.2 million |
| Fox River, WI |
Flood Risk Management |
$1.9 million |
| Grand Haven Harbor, MI |
Navigation |
$1.4 million |
A total of $13.3 million will be used for dredging projects including the following locations: Detroit River, MI, Duluth Harbor, MN, Green Bay Harbor, WI, Grand Haven Harbor, Holland Harbor, Manistee Harbor and Muskegon Harbor all in Michigan.
Also, $3.6 million will be used to continue monitoring lake levels and water flow throughout the Great Lakes. The FY 13 Civil Works budget press book is available on the Corps headquarters website at: http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Budget.aspx, under the heading - Program Budget - Press Books.