Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, December 19, 2001

с NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Rood, Sort* 304 Uithwvilk Morylond 21093 315 Cannon Hour* Office Building Workington, D.C 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Henry Fawell Wednesday, December 19, 2001 202/225-3061 Congressman Ehrlich Commends Agreement to Improve Port of Baltimore’s Shipping Lanes WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bob Ehrlich (MD-2) praised the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ approval of the Baltimore Harbor Anchorages and Channels Project cost sharing agreement today. Approval of this agreement with the Maryland Port Administration is a major step toward securing the needed improvements to the Port of Baltimore’s anchorages and shipping channels. Congressman Ehrlich stated, “As consumers of the products shipped into Baltimore Harbor, we Marylanders are directly impacted by the strength and vitality of the port’s shipping lines. Today’s announcement puts Maryland’s consumers first.” Currently, anchorage areas in the Port of Baltimore lack the depth and width needed to host large shipping vessels. As a result, these vessels that require anchorage must anchor 25 miles out from the port, causing severe docking delays and related costs that injure the shipping industry. Accordingly, the Baltimore Harbor Project will improve the existing anchorages and channels within Baltimore Harbor for safe accommodation of more modem ships. Initiation of dredging is planned to start in February 2002 with completion scheduled for 2003. All of the dredged material will be moved to Maryland's Hart-Miller Island containment site. Congressman Ehrlich continued, “This decision is a big win for Baltimore’s local shipping economy. From its central location on the Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore is a critical economic hub for mid-westem American markets and other ports along the Atlantic Coast.” The Port of Baltimore is one of America's busiest deep-water ports and is critical to the Mid- Atlantic region’s economy. The Port has enjoyed an overall growth in commodity shipments over the past 10 years, with more than 27,000 vessel calls and 37.3 million tons of cargo handled at the Port in 1999. m