Water bill green lights harbor project – Atlanta Business Chronicle

The biennial Water Resources Development Act includes a provision allowing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to proceed with projects such as the $652 million deepening of Savannah Harbor with a current cost that is higher than Congress originally authorized.

Both of Georgia’s senators, Republicans Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, supported the bill, which passed 83-14.

The project suffered a setback last month when President Barack Obama’s fiscal 2014 budget proposal requested only $1.28 million, much less than what Georgia Ports Authority officials had sought or expected.

However, the state continues to bankroll the project. The fiscal 2014 state budget Gov. Nathan Deal signed last week committed another $50 million toward deepening the harbor from 42 feet to 47 feet.

During a question-and-answer session last month, the governor said Georgia is close to financing 30 percent of the project and is looking to the federal government to step up with the other 70 percent.

via Water bill green lights harbor project – Atlanta Business Chronicle.