[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 53 (Monday, April 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S3850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. SNOWE:
  S. 830. A bill to deauthorize the project for navigation, Carvers 
Harbor, Vinalhaven, Maine; to the Committee on Environment and Public 
Works.


           DEAUTHORIZATION AND REALIGNMENT OF CARVERS HARBOR

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce two bills 
that call for the deauthorization and realignment of harbor boundaries 
in Searsport, Maine and for Carvers Harbor on Vinalhaven Island, Maine. 
Passage of these bills will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to 
issue permits to the Maine Department of Transportation for projects 
that are vital to the economic well being of the town of Searsport and 
the island of Vinalhaven.
  The first bill addresses the deauthorization and realignment of the 
navigation channel in Searsport Harbor so that the existing cargo pier 
can be replaced. The bill will allow a multimillion dollar improvement 
to be made to the Mack Point cargo port at the earliest possible date. 
In addition, a second cargo pier will be rehabilitated. The work will 
include new dolphin structures, which will encroach upon the existing 
Federal channel. The navigation project was authorized by the River and 
Harbor Act of October 23, 1962.
  The second bill deauthorize and realigns Carvers Harbor in Vinalhaven 
so as to allow the construction of a new ferry terminal to replace the 
existing pier facility that is located within the established Army 
Corps of Engineers anchorage. The deauthorization will allow the ferry 
terminal project to remain on schedule and occur at the earliest 
possible date. The year round population of the island is comprised 
primarily of lobster fishermen and the businesses that support that 
industry. This navigation project was authorized by the River and 
Harbor Act of June 3, 1896.
  Along with my support, both projects have the blessing of the 
respective towns and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. I am also 
working with Senator Chafee in the hopes of having these two harbor 
deauthorizations included in the Managers amendment for the Water 
Resources Development Act, which has already passed out of the 
Environment and Public Works Committee and is expected to be taken up 
by the full Senate shortly.
  I urge the support of my colleagues for these two deauthorizations 
and I thank the Chair.
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