WASHINGTON – U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10) applauded the awarding of grants from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, for dredging portions of the navigation channel of Lake St. Clair. The Lake St. Clair $887,375 contract goes to Luedtke Engineering Company of Frankfort, MI., who will dredge 30,500 cubic yards of shoals from the navigation channel and place the dredged materials in a confined disposal facility. Lexington and Port Sanilac grants totaling $280,400 have been awarded to Geo Gradel Co. The contract provides for the removal of 18,000 cubic yards of shoaling from Lexington and 17,000 cubic yards of shoaling from Port Sanilac. The dredging is expected to begin this spring and be completed in early summer.

“These projects are so vitally important to Lake St. Clair and Ports Sanilac and Lexington because of the positive economic impact they have from boaters using the harbors, as well as coming in to town. Our area has seen a decrease in water levels, so this dredging can’t come soon enough,” Miller said. “I thank the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for their dedication to the safety and vitality of our ports and harbors, not only in our immediate area but all throughout the Great Lakes Basin which is so important to our region’s economy.”

A major mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is maintaining a navigation system that includes 94 harbors in and around Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, St. Clair and the Michigan portion of Lake Erie. Along with the Detroit River, the Corps in Detroit handles the connecting channels of the St. Marys and St. Clair Rivers. Maintenance of this system includes dredging of commercial and recreational harbors and connecting channels.

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