Rep. Brown offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 174.

            A resolution to strongly urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct immediate emergency dredging in the Saginaw River and Bay.

            Whereas, Maintaining navigability in the Saginaw River and Bay is of vital economic importance for the Saginaw area and the state of Michigan. Ships operating on the Saginaw River and Bay carry coal for electric power generation, cement and aggregate for the I-75 highway resurfacing project, and limestone, potash, grain and other raw materials for businesses along the river. Commerce on the river generates $306 million annually in direct revenue and supports an estimated 2,500 jobs and $183 million in personal income; and

            Whereas, Heavy spring rains and subsequent flooding have resulted in significant sedimentation and shoaling in the Saginaw River and Bay, creating dangerous navigation conditions. In particular, depth in the Saginaw River Turning Basin has been reduced by 7 to 8 feet. Consequently, larger ships cannot reach businesses in Saginaw, and smaller ships have to back up the river. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates that transportation costs increase by $1.3 million to $3.4 million annually for every 1 to 2 foot loss in channel depth; and

            Whereas, Emergency federal funding is critically important to alleviate this problem and allow safe navigation of the Saginaw River and Bay. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has a responsibility to keep the river—a federal navigation channel—open for commerce, and expedited action is needed to minimize the economic disruption to the Saginaw area and state of Michigan; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we strongly urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct immediate emergency dredging in the Saginaw River; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.