DETROIT - The President’s Budget for fiscal year 2016 (FY16) includes more than $4.73 billion in discretionary funding for the Civil Works program of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USACE, (see release at: Corps of Engineers, HQ Website – www.usace.army.mil with more than $69 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 of $69.8 million reflects the Administration's fiscal year 2016 annual Civil Works program and we are looking forward to working hard and fully implementing this strategic investment in the development, management, restoration, and protection of the nation's water resources,” said Lt. Col. Michael Sellers, district engineer, Detroit District. “Our projects and the water resources we manage produce jobs, facilitate exports, and contribute to a stronger economy, environment and quality of life for all Americans.”
The FY16 funding will be distributed among the Detroit District major projects as follows:
| St Marys River/Soo Locks, Mich. |
Navigation/Hydropower/Recreation |
$31.1 million |
| Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis. |
Navigation/Recreation |
$6.6 million |
| Detroit River, Mich. |
Navigation |
$5.5 million |
| Green Bay Harbor, Wis. |
Navigation |
$2.9 million |
| Saginaw River, Mich. |
Navigation |
$2.8 million |
| Fox River, Wis. |
Flood Risk Management |
$2.5 million |
| Milwaukee Harbor, Wis. |
Navigation |
$1.6 million |
| St Joseph Harbor, Mich. |
Navigation |
$1.6 million |
| Muskegon Harbor, Mich. |
Navigation |
$1.4 million |
| Grand Haven Harbor, Mich. |
Navigation |
$1.0 million |
| Two Harbors Harbor, Minn. |
Navigation |
$1.0 million |
A total of $16.1 million will be used for dredging projects including the following locations: Duluth-Superior Harbor, Minn. and Wis., Green Bay Harbor, Wis., Grand Haven Harbor, Mich., Holland Harbor, Mich., Ludington Harbor, Mich., Manistee Harbor, Mich., Manitowoc Harbor, Wis., Muskegon Harbor, Mich., Ontonagon Harbor, Mich., Presque Isle Harbor, Mich., Rouge River, Mich., Saginaw River, Mich. and St. Joseph Harbor, Mich.
In addition to operating and maintaining the Soo Locks at the St Marys River, Mich. and the 9 dams on the Fox River, Wis., other budgeted activities at projects throughout the Detroit District include project condition surveys, strike removal operations, navigation structure repairs, and operation and maintenance of several dredged material disposal facilities.
Also, $3.8 million will be used to continue monitoring lake levels and water flow throughout the Great Lakes.
In addition, $100,000 is budgeted for the feasibility study to deepen the upper Saginaw River, Mich.
The Fiscal Year 2016 Civil Works budget press book are available on the HQ USACE Website at http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Budget.aspx, under the heading Program Budget: Press Books.
For more information go to the 2016 budget related link:
Detroit District Website – www.lre.usace.army.mil
Corps of Engineers, HQ Website – www.usace.army.mil
White House Website – http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget
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