IIB 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1747 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 28, 2009 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation AN ACT To authorize appropriations for the design, acquisition, and construction of a combined buoy tender-icebreaker to replace icebreaking capacity on the Great Lakes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Great Lakes Icebreaker Replacement Act.

2.

Findings

Congress finds that— (1)five of the Coast Guard’s Great Lakes icebreakers are nearing the end of their useful lives; (2)two other Coast Guard icebreaking assets have experienced difficulty in heavy ice conditions; (3)during the spring of 2008, United States-flag vessels operating on the Great Lakes suffered more than $1,300,000 in damages to their hulls because the Coast Guard did not have enough assets available to keep Great Lakes shipping lanes open; (4)during the 2006–2007 ice season, shipments of iron ore, coal, and limestone on the Great Lakes exceeded 20,000,000 tons; (5)during the 2006–2007 ice season, the transportation of 10,400,000 tons of iron ore on the Great Lakes helped support 100,000 jobs at steel mills and 300,000 jobs at supplier industries by keeping those industries working during the winter season; and (6)the 6,400,000 tons of coal shipped on the Great Lakes during the 2006–2007 ice season kept the Great Lakes region supplied with electricity.

3.

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated $153,000,000 for necessary expenses of the Coast Guard for the design, acquisition, and construction of a combined buoy tender-icebreaker to replace icebreaking capacity on the Great Lakes, to remain available until expended.

Passed the House of Representatives April 27, 2009. Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk.