Via Fax: (202) 224-1388
Senator Carl Levin
269 Senate Russell Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Chairman Levin:

We are writing on behalf of the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force, the largest coalition ever assembled to promote shipping on the Great Lakes. We represent all the various elements of the Great Lakes maritime community: shipowners and operators, shipboard and shoreside unions, port authorities, cargo shippers, shipyards, dredgers.

Dredging on the Great Lakes is in a state of crisis. The Lakes regularly receive far less than their fair share of dredging dollars compared to other regions. We are attempting to get organized and doing everything in our power to ensure that this critical region receives at least its share of the federal dredging dollars.

We have identified a dozen key priorities for dredging on the Lakes. In particular, we hope you will support increased funding for the following important Michigan projects:

• St. Joseph Harbor – The Corps requested $667,000, but the need is $1.064.
• Saginaw River – The Corps requested $2.148 million, but the need is $4.049.
• Manistee Harbor – The Corps requested $677,000, but the need is $756,000.

Thank you for your interest in this important matter. If you need additional information, please contact James H.I. Weakley.

Sincerely,

John D. Baker, President
Patrick J. O’Hern, 1st Vice President-Positions & Resolutions
Daniel L. Smith, 2nd Vice President-Membership
James H.I. Weakley, 3rd Vice President-Government Relations