In early-March, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its FY2019 budget for maintenance dredging of Great Lakes commercial harbors. The budget includes a total of $43,008,000 to dredge and remove obstacles from navigation channels at Great Lakes ports.  This represents a $14,846,000 regional shortfall compared to the $57,854,000 required to properly dredge the region’s harbors in FY2019.

State-by-state funding shortfalls appear below:

Illinois:   no shortfall

Indiana:   $3,746,000 shortfall

Ohio:  $850,000 shortfall

Pennsylvania:  no shortfall

Wisconsin:  $3,150,000 shortfall

Michigan:  $4,900,000 shortfall

Minnesota:  no shortfall

New York:  $2,200,000 shortfall

 

The totals above only reflect dredging needs.  They do not include amounts necessary to address other Corps operation and maintenance activities in the Great Lakes, such as operation of the Soo Locks, and repair of breakwaters and jetties.

For a harbor-by-harbor breakdown of dredging funds needed vs. funds budgeted, click here.