GLIN==> End to Lakes Dredging Crisis in Sight

Ships working the Great Lakes won't leave port with their cargo holds less than full once Congress passes legislation introduced in the Senate last week.  A bill would require the government to stop diverting the taxes it collects for dredging to paper balance the federal budget and instead spend them for their intended purpose - maintaining the nation's deep-draft ports and waterways.

Introduced by Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), and co-sponsored by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and others, S. 3213 requires the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund ("HMTF") to spend what it takes in each year.  The United States levies a tax on cargo moving through deep-draft ports to pay for dredging nationwide that generates significant funds, as much as $1.6 billion per year.  However, annual expenditures are less than $800 million.  As a result, the fund has a surplus of nearly $5 billion.

See attached for more details.


Glen G. Nekvasil
Secretary
Great Lakes Maritime Task Force
Phone: 440-333-9996
Cell: 216-702-6360


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