House Committee Calls for Brandon Road Report, New Army Corps Standards

Today, the House Appropriations Committee passed the Energy and Water appropriations bill funding the Department of Energy, the Army Corps of Engineers and related agencies.

The legislation calls for the Army Corps of Engineers to release the Brandon Road Lock and Dam report on Asian carp in the Great Lakes Basin.

Congressman Moolenaar voted for the legislation today. He made the following statement on the Brandon Road study:

"With Asian carp recently found less than 10 miles from Lake Michigan, the Army Corps should release the Brandon Road report promptly. The Great Lakes support billions of dollars in tourism, fishing and boating and they are integral to our way of life in Michigan. It's time for the Army Corps to release the report and take actions to safeguard the Great Lakes ecosystem."

Today's legislation also calls for the Army Corps of Engineers to complete its study on the feasibility of replacing deep water locks and take into account the value added importance of goods that pass through the Soo Locks.

Congressman Moolenaar made the statement on the Army Corps part of the legislation:

"The Army Corps of Engineers must account for the true value of the iron ore passing through the Soo Locks. It is more than a commodity. It is vital to agriculture, infrastructure and good-paying American manufacturing jobs like automobiles and appliances. Once the Army Corps accounts for this significant impact on the economy and national security it will understand the need to build a new modern Lock in Sault Ste. Marie."