The Senate Appropriations Committee passed the Senate version of the Fiscal Year 2013 Energy and Water (E&W) Appropriations Act which contains $3.5 million for Charleston Harbor deepening study.

This is the most significant federal contribution made thus far to the Charleston Harbor deepening effort.  Deepening Charleston Harbor is the number-one issue for South Carolina’s economy.  The Port of Charleston is our economic gateway to the world and that’s why I have long believed that when it comes to deepening Charleston Harbor, failure is simply not an option.

Today, about one out of every five jobs in South Carolina is tied – directly and indirectly – to the operation of the Port.  Deepening the port will allow us to keep these jobs in our state and also create more jobs in the future.

Other notable funding in the bill includes:

• Charleston will receive $20.4 million for continued operations and maintenance funding for navigable waterways.
• The Port of Georgetown will be eligible to receive funding from the $30 million that was made available in the Small, Remote or Subsistence Harbor Maintenance Account.
• Folly Beach will receive $400,000 to study future beach renourishment efforts.
• South Carolina coastal communities, such as Folly Beach and Pawley’s Island, affected by beach erosion will now be eligible to receive funding from the $40 million fund for Shore Protection.

I am pleased the work plan today released by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers set aside $2.5 million to continue the on-going study to deepen Charleston Harbor.  The federal share is matched by an equal contribution from the South Carolina State Ports Authority.

This is the most significant federal contribution made thus far to the Charleston Harbor deepening effort.  It is a significant victory given the fact President Obama’s budget for Fiscal Year 2012 had nothing allocated for Charleston.

As a result of language we were able to include in last year’s spending bill, Charleston was eligible to receive funding to continue its deepening study.  These funds are being awarded under a more merit-based system. We have always known that Charleston will fare well under that standard as harbor deepening is a worthwhile investment.

Today, about one out of every five jobs in South Carolina is tied – directly and indirectly – to the operation of the Port.  Deepening the port will allow us to keep these jobs in our state and also create more jobs in the future.

President Obama will release his Fiscal Year 2013 budget next week and I am hopeful funds to deepen Charleston Harbor will be included.  I continue to work with the Army Corps of Engineers and South Carolina State Ports Authority to explore avenues to help expedite the harbor deepening project from its estimated 2024 completion date.

The United Sates Senate is now debating the Energy and Water Appropriations bill which contains many important provisions for South Carolinas’ harbors, waterways, and coastline.  Among the most notable is a provision I introduced, which makes the Port of Charleston eligible for funding to continue its harbor deepening study.

Deepening Charleston Harbor is the number-one issue for South Carolina’s economy.  The Port of Charleston is our gateway to the world.  That’s why I have long believed that when it comes to deepening Charleston Harbor, failure is simply not an option.

Today, one out of every five jobs in South Carolina is tied – directly and indirectly – to the operation of the Port.  Deepening the port will allow us to keep these jobs in our state and also create more jobs in the future.  We are moving to a more merit-based approach to port deepening and I’m confident Charleston will fare well under that new standard.  Charleston port deepening offers the taxpayer the biggest bang for their buck.

Under the provision affecting Charleston Harbor Deepening:

• Funding for ongoing Army Corp of Engineer projects -- which were not included in the President’s budget submission to Congress -- will be eligible to receive up to $10.5 million for ongoing harbor studies.  The federal share of the Charleston Harbor deepening study, which will be matched by the state, is expected to cost approximately $4.2 million in the next fiscal year.

Our new provision is a breakthrough in port funding.  Under the current system we are shut out because we were not included in the President’s 2012 budget.  Now, Charleston will be eligible to receive federal funding to continue our deepening study.  Until the study is complete we cannot transition into actual construction on deepening the harbor.

By EDITORIAL STAFF
June 30, 2011 

A military vehicle that has strong links to South Carolina and that might not even be in service without the work of Sen. Lindsey Graham has been credited by outgoing Defense Secretary Robert Gates as crucial to saving thousands of lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.