PHOTO COURTESY DEVON CARLOCK/COTTRELL CONTRACTINGThe Energy and Water Appropriations bill that recently passed with bipartisan support is delivering $48.5 million to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to address maintenance and dredging of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in five states.
The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association has worked to restore dredging funding to return the ICW to its authorized depth of 12 feet. The breakdown of funding is $5.3 million for Virginia, $26.6 million for North Carolina, $8.5 million for South America, $4 million for Georgia and $4 million for Florida.
“It was not that long ago that we had zero federal dollars for dredging, and the waterway’s future was being questioned,” AIWA executive director Brad Pickel said in a statement. “We thank Congress, the Biden Administration, and all of our local state partners and members for helping to deliver these critical USACE funds.”
Added David Kennedy, BoatUS manager of government affairs and an AIWA board member: “The Intracoastal is used by many kinds of boaters and anglers, and dredging is critical to safety and the economic development that boating brings to waterfront communities. This latest win, along with more sustained support for other shallow-draft harbors, gives promise that the boater’s voice is being heard in the halls of government. Our thanks to AIWA for helping to deliver these dredging funds that help ensure safe navigation.”
