Tagged: Michigan harbor dredging

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."

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 -- 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.

Lansing - State lawmakers on Thursday took first steps to help harbors and marinas suffering from record-low water levels in the Great Lakes. The Michigan Senate approved spending $21 million on emergency dredging of 49 public harbors along the Great Lakes before the summer boating season gets under way.

Above average precipitation in February helped boost the water level of Lakes Michigan and Huron, according to the latest numbers released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. February's water level was 576.15 feet, an increase of 2 inches from January's all-time record low, according to the Corps.