Senator Allen’s statement is as follows:
This resolution memorializes the United States Congress and the Army Corps of Engineers to fully fund the construction of a new Soo Locks. The Soo Locks are a critical part of our regional and national infrastructure and national security. Millions of tons of raw materials pass through the lock each year, with more than 8,000 annual passages. Its materials like iron ore that is turned into steel, which we depend on for buildings and cars; or clean burning coal for our state’s power plants; or the grain that we rely on for the foods to feed our nation—all pass through the Soo Locks. All these are critical to our economy and rely on the locks to navigate Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes.
Currently, 70 percent of the Great Lakes fleet passes through the 40-year-old Poe Locks because this is the only lock large enough for most of the modern ships in the American-flag fleet. If the locks were to become unusable, we would literally bring commerce to a halt in the upper Great Lakes.
In recognition of the critical nature of this lock, Congress first authorized a new lock in 1986. However, it has not begun; in addition to the construction of a new lock that would bring hundreds and thousands of jobs and millions of federal dollars to the Michigan economy.
I thank you, and I urge this body to support the resolution to urge the Congress and Army Corps of Engineers to fully fund this lock.