McCollum Brings Federal Funds to St. Paul for Small-Boat Harbor Dredging Project

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) issued the following statement today after President Biden signed the Fiscal Year 2022 conference agreement (H.R. 2471) into law, with funding for all 10 Community Project Funding (CPF) requests made by Rep. McCollum that will directly benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District:

"The St. Paul Small-Boat Harbor is a critical piece of our river infrastructure, and this funding for maintenance will ensure the Harbor can continue to be used by the St. Paul Fire Department for emergency response on and along the Mississippi River," Congresswoman McCollum said. "I'm proud to secure this federal funding to help make this project a reality."

This Community Project Funding (CPF) request made by Rep. McCollum will benefit Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District by investing in our waterfront community and river infrastructure:

• Project: Dredging St. Paul Small-Boat Harbor ($500,000)
  Description: Providing long overdue and critically needed dredging of the St. Paul Small-Boat Harbor, which will support and maintain effective emergency response services, and improve the overall poor conditions of the harbor. The St. Paul Small-Boat Harbor is on the lower end of Harriet Island in St. Paul, Minnesota, at Upper Mississippi River mile 839.6 on the right descending bank. The natural fluctuations of both the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers and subsequent silt buildup is of significant concern for not only the maritime operations of the St. Paul Fire Department, but for the overall safety of all those that travel its waterways. The Lower Harbor also provides a critical pool of affordable housing at a time when this resource is desperately needed.

"Federal funding for the Saint Paul Small Boat Harbor Project near Harriet Island will help maintain effective emergency response services, enhance the quality of life for harbor residents, and improve overall conditions of the harbor," said Ward 2 St. Paul City Councilmember Rebecca Noecker. "Dredging the harbor is critically needed, and I am grateful to have worked with Congresswoman McCollum on bringing these funds to our community."

Background:
For FY 2022, the Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies bill provides $54.97 billion, an increase of $3.2 billion above 2021 levels.

The legislation:

• Creates tens of thousands of good-paying jobs with a focus on deploying clean energy technologies and the green jobs of tomorrow in communities across the country
• Confronts the climate crisis with more than $14 billion of transformative investments in clean energy and science, which will help develop clean, affordable, and secure American energy
• Rebuilds our nation's water infrastructure, critical to protecting communities from more frequent and severe storms and addressing the worsening drought
  • Includes McCollum language reminding the Army Corps of Engineers that the Upper St. Anthony Falls is a federal project that requires routine maintenance and is eligible to compete for additional funding
• Includes McCollum language directing the Army Corps of Engineers to continue working with EPA on development of the Mississippi River Restoration and Resiliency Initiative (MRRRI). Also includes language directing the department to engage with the U.S. Geological Survey as they host the Mississippi River Science Forum and to contribute to the proceedings as a federal agency with relevant scientific expertise
• Includes McCollum language in support of improving the coordination of federal efforts involved in growing and sustaining a robust national security workforce

Full list of McCollum-secured CPFs:

Rep. McCollum's full statement on the passage of the FY 22 funding agreement is available here. In keeping with the Appropriations Committee's commitment to transparency, information on Rep. McCollum's Community Project Funding requests is available here.

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