Hearing of the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee - Opening Statement of Sen. Coons, Hearing on Presidential Budget Request for Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation

Hearing

Lieutenant General Semonite and Mr. Lamont, thank you for being here today, and thank you to the Army Corps of Engineers for all you do for our country and, particularly, for what the Army Corps does for my home state of Delaware. And Lieutenant General Semonite, given your time in New York City as Commander of the North Atlantic Division (NAD), I am pleased that you are familiar with the Delaware River deepening project and the importance of strong coastal infrastructure.

I very much appreciate the reprogramming of funds for the Port of Wilmington after they were initially left out of the FY 2017 workplan. Those funds are critical for dredging our port this summer. I am also pleased to see that the FY 2018 budget includes sufficient funding for two dredge cycles for the port so we can continue having 6 million tons of cargo delivered and shipped every year.

I was also glad to see the FY 2017 workplan allows the completion of the Delaware River deepening from 40 to 45 feet as well as funds to renourish some of our critical beaches. I understand the bids for the last major phase of the deepening project are out this week, and our region is very much looking forward to having that deeper channel.

Finally, I want to take a moment to thank the Philadelphia district of the Corps, who have been wonderful to work with. I particularly want to express my gratitude for the service of Lieutenant Colonel Mike Bliss, who is about to leave command, and I am looking forward to working with Lieutenant Colonel Kristen Dahle, his successor. Lieutenant Colonel Bliss has been absolutely terrific. The men and women of the Philadelphia district are creative, responsive, and greatly appreciated in my office.

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