Via Fax: (202) 225-5729
Congressman Steve Kagen
1232 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Congressman Kagen:

Great Lakes Maritime Task Force was founded in 1992 to promote Great Lakes shipping and related industries. Included among our rapidly growing membership are at least two of your constituents: Brown County Port & Sold Waste Department (Port of Green Bay) and Bay Shipbuilding Company in Sturgeon Bay.

We have read the April 13 article in the Green Bay Press Gazette about the need for dredging in Green Bay and want to thank you for your efforts to obtain additional funds for the port. You are quite right that the port is crucial to the future business and economic vitality of the region.

As you noted, Green Bay is not the only port on the Great Lakes suffering from inadequate dredging. The entire system is in desperate need of dredging. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates restoring the Great Lakes navigation system to project dimensions would cost more than $200 million.

The dredging crisis will be the focus of our 12th Annual Informational Briefing for the Great Lakes Delegation in Washington on May 2, 2007. The keynote address will discuss the impact of inadequate dredging on the iron ore trade. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe dock in Superior, Wisconsin, is one of the largest iron ore shipping facilities on the Lakes. We hope you or a member of your staff can join us that morning. Details are attached.

Again, thank you for your support for Great Lakes shipping.

Sincerely,

John D. Baker, President
Patrick J. O’Hern, 1st Vice President
Daniel L. Smith, 2nd Vice President
James H.I. Weakley, 3rd Vice President