John B. Breaux: “I introduce today, together with my senior colleague from Louisiana, Senator J. Bennett Johnston, a bill to authorize…”

“I introduce today, together with my senior colleague from Louisiana, Senator J. Bennett Johnston, a bill to authorize the Corps of Engineers to conduct maintenance dredging for the Chalmette Slip. The project is needed to assist the St. Bernard Port, Terminal and Harbor District conduct its current daily business more effectively and to facilitate future development. Located in St. Bernard Parish near mile 90.5 of the Mississippi River, the project's authorization would be carried out as part of the currently authorized and ongoing operations and maintenance project for the Mississippi River, Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico. The slip's depth is now approximately 30 feet. The authorization would allow it to be deepened to 33 feet, over a distance of approximately 1,500 feet. With the additional depth needed to help the port operate more effectively and to improve its operations, the project certainly is a justified one. Senator Johnston and I are hopeful that the proposed Chalmette Slip authorization will be included as part of the Water Resources Development Act legislation when it is taken up by the Senate. We urge its consideration and passage.”