Republic warns federal funding for dredging is key to survival

Dec 14, 2007 | 08:36 AM | Maria Guzzo

Steelmakers and other industrial businesses in the Great Lakes region say federal funding is key for dredging if they are to survive as viable businesses.

"I'm not wanting this to sound like a threat at all, but as a practical matter to continue as a viable operation we have to be able to receive raw material supplies and we need navigable water," Ken Braun, managing director of human resources at Republic Engineered Products Inc., said. "Without the two you can't operate the plant efficiently."

Federal money could be freed up to resolve the issue when Congress passes the 2008 budget, Braun said.

However, politics have gotten in the way and the budget is already two months late, several sources said, and the traditional funding to dredge the Great Lakes and the tributary rivers is being used for other purposes.....