Van Hollen Secures Critical Funding for Port Maintenance in Energy and Water Appropriations Bill

Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced that he has secured critical funding and strong support for several port maintenance projects in Maryland – including the Port of Baltimore, Knapps Narrows, Poplar Island, and Mid-Chesapeake Bay – in the Senate Appropriations FY 2019 Energy & Water Development Appropriations Bill.

 

“Maryland’s ports are central to our economy, and I’m pleased to announce this additional funding will help maintain and expand these critical projects,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “From the jobs supported by the ports, to the businesses that export their products across the country and the world, to goods brought in and purchased by families in every community, these bustling centers of commerce are part of what makes our state great. I’ll keep fighting for funding to support them and the economic growth that they generate.”

 

The legislation, which passed the Committee today with overwhelming, bipartisan support, included:

 

·         Baltimore Harbor and Channels Dredging – $23.645 million

·         Knapps Narrows – additional funds to support the $2.3 million for dredging that the project received last year

·         Poplar Island Construction – $21 million

·         Mid-Bay Chesapeake Island Project – language encouraging forward movement on the project: “The Corps has completed the supplemental chief’s report and is awaiting approval from the administration before budgeting for the Mid-Chesapeake Bay Island Project (James and Barren Islands). The Committee encourages the Corps to provide funding for PED [Pre-Construction Engineering and Design] for this project through the annual budget process or with additional funds.”

 

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