Senators to Appropriators Regarding Energy and Water Development Bill

To: The Honorable Barbara A. Mikulski
Chairperson
The Honorable Richard C. Shelby
Vice Chairperson
Senate Committee on Appropriations
S-128, U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
Chairperson
The Honorable Lamar Alexander
Ranking Member
Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
186 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

From: The Honorable Mark Kirk
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Carl Levin
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Chairperson Mikulski, Vice Chairperson Shelby, Chairperson Feinstein, and Ranking Member Alexander:

As you draft the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2015 (FY2015), we want to call attention to the Great Lakes navigation system, which is a vital part of our nation’s transportation infrastructure and economic competitiveness. We greatly appreciate your increased support for the Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) and harbor maintenance in FY2014, which will allow for more efficient transport of critical cargo through harbors and channels. Your strong support for the Great Lakes navigation system is helpful for addressing the large backlog of dredging projects and other maintenance and we ask for continued support…