OSWEGO – The Port of Oswego Authority announced today they are advocating to the local congressional delegation and Army Corps of Engineers for their support to budget the crucial completion of the Oswego Harbor West Break Wall.
This project completion is vital in protecting the harbor which, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers, “generates recreational economic benefits totaling $7,190,951.” The Oswego Harbor is the only commercial harbor in New York on Lake Ontario and a major receiving port on the Great Lakes ranking number two in aluminum imports.
“The recently passed Water Resources Development Act of 2020 authorizes additional funds that are badly needed to address the $550 million backlog of Corps maintenance work in the Great Lakes, which the west break wall is one,” said William W. Scriber, Executive Director of the port. “We cannot wait years for this critical project to be completed … this is too important.”
Additionally, the American Great Lakes Ports Association even named Oswego Harbor as a crucial location needing funds for repair with five commercial operations within the harbor.
The bill provides no less than 13% of annual expenditures from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) to be dedicated to Corps of Engineers’ maintenance projects in the Great Lakes region.
There is a critical need in the Oswego harbor for the completion of the project as the Oswego Harbor is impacted by environmental destruction that directly impacts the harbor maritime and surrounding community’s business. Further, if the harbor is not funded, the Oswego lighthouse, a great historical landmark, will be neglected as a result.
“Army Corps own recent numbers list the harbor as having commodities shipped or received at a value of $1.2Billion in business revenue—not to mention of the jobs that are directly and indirectly supported by the harbor,” Scriber said.
In summary, without support and funds provided, an essential partner of the local recreational and commercial business community will fall further into disrepair and cost more to address.
*Press release from William W. Scriber
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Rochester Harbor is also a commercial harbor.