GLTF FYI - Appropriations for Army Corps of Engineers

[Rochelle_Sturtevant@glenn.senate.gov (Rochelle Sturtevant)]

GLIN folks!


     The Energy and Water Development Conference Report is now available 
     (H. Rept 105-749).
     
     The following is a summary of the programs tracked by the Great Lakes 
     Task Force:
     
     The Conference report reiterated the House and Senate provision of  
     $500,000 for Sediment Transport Models and Sediment Management 
     Planning and $500,000 for improvement of the Soo lock system at Sault 
     Ste. Marie.  While not explicit in the conference report, it is 
     expected that $300,000 was provided for Interagency and International 
     Support as indicated in both the House and Senate report.
     
     The Conference report explicitly provided only $750,000 for zebra 
     mussel research (both House and Senate Reports had indicated funding 
     would be at the Administration request of $1.5 million).
     
     The Conference Report provided the House mark of $500,000 for the 
     Duluth Alternative Technology Project (Senate $0).
     
     The Conference report provided the House mark of $1,037,000 for the 
     Lake Michigan Diversion Accounting (Senate $537,000).
     
     The Conference report provided the House mark of $500,000 for Remedial 
     Action Planning Assistance (Senate $0).  Planning Assistance to States 
     (Section 221) was funded at $6.3 million splitting the difference 
     between the House ($5.3 million) and Senate ($7.5 million) marks.
     
     The Conference report provided $300,000 for the dispersal barrier at 
     the Chicago Shipping and Sanitary Canal, splitting the difference 
     between the House ($500,000) and Senate ($0) marks.
     
     The Conference Report provided $5 million for Dredging Operations 
     Environmental Research.  The report does not contradict the House 
     report language directing the Corps to make contaminated sediments 
     research a priority within this account.  The conference report also 
     did not contradict House Report language directing the Corps to 
     complete its study of existing Confined Disposal Facilities and report 
     to Congress.
     
     The Conference provided $350,000 for beneficial use of dredged 
     materials (Section 204), splitting the difference between the House 
     mark of $500,000 and the Senate Mark of $200,000.
     
     Restoration of Environmental Quality (Section 1135).  The Conference 
     provided $11 million for this account (House mark $4.1 million, Senate 
     mark $15 million, Administration request $5.3 million).  Language 
     added by the Senate (floor amendment offered by Senator Levin) 
     indicating that $500,000 of these funds could be used for Sediment 
     Remediation Technology Demonstration was removed in conference.  
     Conference report language indicates that preference should be given 
     to the projects mentioned in the House and Senate reports, which total 
     $10,268,000.  Competition for the remaining discretionary funds is 
     likely to be intense.
     
     Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration (Section 206).  The Conference provided 
     $11.2 million for this account (House mark $11.2 million, Senate mark 
     $6 million, Administration request $2 million).  Language added by the 
     Senate (floor amendment offered by Senator Levin) indicating that 
     $200,000 of these funds could be used for construction of sea lamprey 
     barriers in the Great Lakes was removed in conference. Conference 
     report language indicates that preference should be given to the 
     projects mentioned in the House and Senate reports, which total 
     $11,790,000. 
     
     $3 million was provided for aquatic nuisance plant control research, 
     splitting the difference between the House ($2.5 million) and Senate 
     ($4 million) marks.  While not reiterated in conference, Senate report 
     language indicating that actual control efforts should take priority 
     within this account were not contradicted.
     
     
     For more information, contact:
     Rochelle Sturtevant
     Coordinator, Senate Great Lakes Task Force
     202-224-4229
     Rochelle_Sturtevant@glenn.senate.gov
     


     or check out the NE-MW homepage at www.nemw.org