Brownley Announces $9.85 M for Channel Islands Dredging

Congresswoman Julia Brownley has announced that around $9.85 million in funding has been included in the President’s FY2017 budget request, that will be made available to dredge Channel Islands Harbor and to replenish sand at Hueneme Beach.

Funding will come from $7.98 million in President’s FY2017 budget request for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Additionally, the Navy is required to fund 19 percent of the total cost, bringing the total to $9.85 million.

“Ensuring the channel remains open is critical to Ventura County’s economy,” said Brownley. “Despite the scarcity of funds available for smaller ports and harbors across the nation, I have been working closely with the Obama Administration, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Navy to ensure the channel remains navigable. 

“These funds will also go to protect roads and homes at Hueneme Beach by replenishing much needed sand, which has been washed away even faster this year due to the strong El Nino currents,” she added.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began dredging Channel Islands Harbor decades ago because erosion was threatening Navy installations at Port Hueneme and the dredging provided the sand to replenish what had washed away.

This project has historically been funded 100 percent by the federal government with the Navy contributing 19 percent.

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