SR-21, As Adopted by Senate, March 31, 2009

            Senators Allen, Barcia, Pappageorge, Jansen, Garcia and Gleason offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 21.

            A resolution to memorialize the United States Congress and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fully fund the expansion of the shipping locks at Sault Ste. Marie.

            Whereas, The locks at Sault Ste. Marie provide a vital link between Lake Superior and the other Great Lakes and the rest of the world. United States, Canadian, and other foreign flag vessels make about 8,000 passages through the Soo Locks each year, carrying more than 80 million tons of iron ore, clean-burning low-sulfur coal, wheat, and other cargo. The locks are of the utmost importance to Michigan's economy and play a critical role in our national defense, with 80 percent of the raw materials used by United States steel manufacturers moving through the locks; and

            Whereas, Expansion of the Soo Locks is needed to avoid a crippling disruption of shipping. Currently, only one lock is large enough to accommodate the large U.S. freighters that carry the majority of cargo on the Great Lakes. If the 40-year-old Poe Lock were to become unusable for any reason, 70 percent of the cargo would not be able to pass through the locks, and Great Lakes shipping would come to a standstill; and

            Whereas, The United States Congress first authorized an expansion of the Soo Locks in 1986 and further authorized full federal support of the project in 2007. Despite these authorizations and nearly $15 million in federal spending on planning, design, and preparation, Congress and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have yet to provide full funding for the construction of a new lock; and

            Whereas, A new Poe-sized lock is shovel-ready and would generate thousands of needed jobs and nearly $500 million in economic activity. Expanding the Soo Locks will create an immediate stimulus to our struggling economy as well as ensure the free flow of vital raw materials on the Great Lakes for generations to come; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the United States Congress and the United States Army Corps of Engineers to fully fund the building of a new shipping lock at Sault Ste. Marie; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, and the United States Secretary of the Army.