CONGRESS APPROVES HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL DREDGE FUNDING

CONGRESS APPROVES HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL DREDGE FUNDING    The U.S. Congress has passed and sent to President Bush legislation providing $33.8 million in federal funding to continue a five-year, $511 million project to widen and deepen the Houston ship channel.
   Dredging operations to deepen the channel from 40 to 45 feet and widen it from 400 to 530 feet began in 1998 and are expected to be completed by December 2003. The project's aim is for the port to accommodate larger ships, reduce shipping costs and improve channel safety.
   This year’s $33.785 million appropriation will be available upon the president’s approval of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 2002.
   Congress originally authorized the expansion of the Houston Ship Channel in 1996.