U.S. Coasties get new icebreaker, 1,500 new jobs

NEWS RELEASE

CONGRESSMAN BART STUPAK 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

************************* House passes Coast Guard reauthorization legislation

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Friday to reauthorize the U.S. Coast Guard to carry out homeland security missions as well as monitor marine safety. 

Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) voted in favor of H.R. 3619, the Coast Guard Authorization Act for fiscal year 2010. 

The bill authorizes $153 million for a new Coast Guard icebreaker for the Great Lakes as well as Coast Guard land transfers in Marquette and Cheboygan.

H.R. 3619 authorizes funding for a 1,500-person increase in Coast Guard personnel, bringing the total to 47,000. 

Provisions that will enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to carry out homeland security missions include authorizing additional maritime security response teams and giving the Coast Guard a rapid force capability. 

The bill also establishes marine safety as a core mission of the Coast Guard, implementing minimum qualifications for training and experience for all marine safety personnel.

“The U.S. Coast Guard is a key defender of the Great Lakes and plays a vital role in securing commerce routes and assisting in navigation for the many businesses and individuals throughout Michigan that rely on the Great Lakes for their living,” Stupak said. “Provisions in this bill that authorize funds for a new Great Lakes icebreaker and facilitate several Coast Guard land transfers are especially important for Northern Michigan. I am proud to vote for this bill to ensure the U.S. Coast Guard has the resources it needs to continue the important work it does in the Great Lakes and across the nation.”

H.R. 3619 authorizes $153 million for the design and construction of a new Great Lakes Coast Guard icebreaker. 

During winter months, 17 million tons of commerce moves through the Great Lakes and icebreakers play an important role in keeping channels open. 

Recently, two Canadian icebreakers have been decommissioned on the Great Lakes without being replaced. 

This funding is critical to ensure a sufficient cutter presence to keep safe communities, businesses and individuals that rely on Great Lakes shipping in the winter months.

The legislation also provides the authority to transfer the old Coast Guard facility and surrounding five acres in Marquette to the city by 2013. 

In 2008, the city sold 1.5 acres of Lake Superior waterfront property for one dollar to the Coast Guard to construct a new facility. 

The city also committed $170,000 to re-route bike trails, make roadway improvements, and make infrastructure improvements in order to prepare the property for the new Coast Guard facility.

In exchange for the city’s investment and conveyance of land, an agreement was reached between the city and the Coast Guard to transfer the land that was then occupied by the Coast Guard to the city upon completion of the new facility.

In August 2009, the Coast Guard moved into the new facility. 

Congressman Stupak believes the transfer of the old parcel should be carried out by the Coast Guard without delay.

While Stupak is pleased H.R. 3619 authorizes this transfer, he will work with the Coast Guard to see that the transfer occurs earlier than scheduled date of 2013.

Also in the bill is a provision to facilitate a land transfer of 6 acres from the Coast Guard to the Cornerstone Christian Academy in Cheboygan. 

This is property the Coast Guard deemed as excess. 

Cornerstone Christian Academy will be required to pay fair market value for the land.

Congressman Stupak will also continue efforts to return the historic fresnel lens to the Presque Isle Light Station Lighthouse in Presque Isle, an issue that was addressed in H.R. 3619.

Restoring the Fresnel Lens will preserve the lighthouse’s history and promote tourism in the area.

“A robust Coast Guard is important for the First District, which borders three of the five Great Lakes and contains 1,613 miles of shoreline, more than any other congressional district in the continental United States,” Stupak said. “Support from this legislation will strengthen the Coast Guard and allow it to better serve Northern Michigan.”

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