Senate committee O.K.s funding for Jacksonville dredging

Senate committee O.K.s funding for Jacksonville dredging The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $3 million in funding for dredging work to deepen the shipping channel in the St. Johns River leading to Port of Jacksonville terminals.
   The funding, which is being pushed by Florida Sen. Mel Martinez, is targeted to deepen the shipping channel to 40 feet for 5.3 miles beyond the existing section of the channel already at the 40-foot depth.
   The channel deepening will allow larger, deep-draft vessels to call all three of the port's public terminals.
   According to Martinez's office, the funding is part of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, which has passed the committee and will be taken up by the full Senate in September.