Tagged: Great Lakes water levels

The deluge of rain last month didn't just flood local roads, homes and basements, it also messed up the dredging schedule for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Grand Haven. "They've tried to get here all spring," Corps of Engineers Area Engineer Tom O'Bryan said. "We're very glad they're finally on board."

The record-setting rainfall is making its way into Lake Michigan and will give a bump to the water levels this spring - there's no doubt about that. Whether it has a long-term effect on the low levels or is just a drop in the Great Lakes bucket, that is still clear as mud.

Michigan's coastal communities could lose millions of dollars this year, after water levels in Lakes Michigan and Huron hit record lows over the winter. Whether via slip fees, shipping, commercial fishing, licenses, real estate or tourism, the state's $7-billion boating economy, which includes about 800,000 licensed boats and about 500,000 jobs, is bracing to take hits.

LANSING -- The state House of Representatives voted 107-3 Wednesday to provide $20.9 million for emergency dredging in 49 harbors and bays in the Great Lakes. The bill also appropriated $23 million for 76 projects paid for by the Natural Resources Trust Fund.

LANSING -- Great Lakes dredging would become a suitable project for the state Natural Resources Trust Fund to consider when passing out annual grants, according to legislation passed Thursday by the state Senate Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Committee.