Over $6 Million for Three Maine Dredging Projects Secured by Senator Collins

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, announced today that she successfully secured a total of $6,025,000 for three Maine dredging projects in the Fiscal Year 2022 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill.  

The omnibus funding package passed the House and the Senate and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I have long championed investments that benefit Maine’s communities and families,” said Senator Collins.  “These critical dredging projects for Maine harbors and rivers will help address significant safety and navigational concerns for commercial fishermen and cargo vessels as well as recreational boaters.”

Details on the three Maine dredging projects Senator Collins secured are below:

Searsport Harbor

Amount: $5,850,000

Project Purpose: To complete maintenance dredging of Searsport Harbor. The Army Corps of Engineers’ initial request for this project was $4,200,000.  Senator Collins helped secure the additional $1,650,000 necessary to meet the revised work plan, complete the dredge, and maintain the navigation channel.  Last July, Senator Collins and MaineDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note visited Searsport to review the high-priority project.

Isle au Haut Thoroughfare

Amount: $100,000

Project Purpose: To begin the Environmental Assessment and related processes to prepare for a maintenance dredging of a 60-year-old federal navigation channel.

George’s River

Amount: $75,000

Project Purpose: To conduct a survey of the channel and anchorage of the George’s River to prepare for a maintenance dredge.

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