WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) announced language in Energy and Water appropriations bill, expected to pass the Senate this evening, to prohibit the Army Corps of Engineers from dumping toxic material dredged from the Cuyahoga River shipping channel into Lake Erie without the approval from the State of Ohio. The bill must now be reconciled with the House bill before becoming law. Brown and Portman will keep fighting for the language as the process moves forward.
Together, Brown and Portman have fought to hold the Corps to its obligation to dredge the channel, which is critical to local jobs and businesses along Lake Erie.
“Lake Erie is a source of pride for Ohio -- it’s important for local businesses, local jobs, and the local ecosystem,” said Brown. “This language will help us keep Lake Erie clean, keep the channel open for business, and ensure the Lake remains a viable resource for generations to come.”
“The Cleveland Harbor project is vital to all of Ohio and we must ensure that the dredged material is not inappropriately disposed of by dumping it in Lake Erie without approval by the Ohio EPA,” said Portman. “I will continue use every tool available to make sure both the City of Cleveland’s water supply and Lake Erie’s ecosystem is protected.”
Brown and Portman have urged the Corps honor its obligation to dredge the Cuyahoga River shipping channel to protect the thousands of jobs that rely on the Port of Cleveland. Legislation they co-authored to keep toxic dredged material from the Cuyahoga River out of Lake Erie was signed into law in December 2016.
###
