$2.2M slated for dredging, city needs more to finish

A federal bill emerged from committee Tuesday with about $2.2 million earmarked for the dredging of Upper Newport Bay, but Rep. John Campbell said he’s not happy with the way money is allotted for Army Corps of Engineers projects like the dredging.

“I’m glad we were able to get that money but I do think the earmark process frankly stinks,” Campbell said. “You have to beg the chairman of the appropriations committee for an earmark, and they usually ask for things in return. I think the Army Corps of Engineers should dedicate money without this political involvement.”

The $ 2.2 million isn’t much, compared to the estimated $13 million the city needs to finish.

The bill heads next to President Bush’s desk for approval. City officials said they will keep searching for other sources of funding for the project.

“The city will keep pushing and provide incentives for the federal government to begin dredging the lower bay,” wrote Councilwoman Leslie Daigle in an e-mail. Daigle has advocated seeking federal funding for the project.

The bay hasn’t been dredged in more than 70 years.

— Brianna Bailey