Upton calls for support to dredge Holland, other harbors, from key leaders in Congress

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Fred Upton is calling on key committee leaders in Congress to support President Joe Biden’s proposed budget request to fund the dredging of Holland Harbor and others in Michigan.

Upton, R-St. Joseph, sent a letter June 4 to the leaders on the House Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies asking them to support Biden’s fiscal year 2021-22 budget request for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’  operations and maintenance budget which includes funds for beach nourishment and dredging for harbors across Michigan.

USACE included around $1.6 million for dredging Holland Harbor in its work plan in February. Dredging cleans out the bed of a body of water by scooping out mud, weeds and rubbish. It allows larger barges, typically those carrying commercial freight, to move in and out of the harbor more easily.

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, speaks at an event at the U.S. Coast Guard Station in St. Joseph, Mich. on Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Upton is calling on key committee leaders in Congress to support President Joe Biden’s proposed budget request to fund the dredging of Holland Harbor and others in Michigan. Sentinel File

In his letter, Upton asked subcommittee leaders Reps. Marcy Katpur, D-Ohio, and Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, to support the proposed harbor funding, as well as add funding for the maintenance of New Buffalo Harbor.

“Southwest Michigan’s commercial and recreational harbors are the lifeblood of the coastal communities they serve, enhancing regional and local economic development and supporting local job growth,” Upton wrote. “I urge your support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ operations and maintenance budget as reflected in the President’s FY22 Budget Request.“

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