Funding approved for Merrimack River channel

Project Updates – July 18, 2008

The Daily News of Newburyport reports that the US Senate Appropriations Committee has approved its version of the funding for the dredging of the Merrimack River channel.

The committee reported out US$400,000 for Newburyport Harbor renovations.

The House Appropriations Committee last month approved a bill providing US$760,000 for dredging the Merrimack River channel and another US$95,000 to study erosion on Plum Island.

In June, Congressman John Tierney, D-Salem, announced that US$855,000 will be included in the House version of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill for the federal fiscal year that will begin on October 1st.

Both bills must pass their respective legislative chambers and will then go to a conference committee, which will come up with a final figure.