Canada to Join in Seaway Expansion Study?

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants funding to continue a study of expanding the St. Lawrence Seaway for bigger ships. Now amidst widespread speculation, a Canadian environmental group doubts Canada will support it. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s David Sommerstein reports:

Transcript

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants funding to continue a study of expanding the St.
Lawrence Seaway for bigger ships. Now amidst widespread speculation, a Canadian
environmental group doubts Canada will support it. The Great Lakes Radio Consoritum’s David
Sommerstein reports:


Canada’s role is critical to the study moving forward. In many places, the Seaway channel is in
Canadian waters and Canada owns most of the Seaway’s locks. Mary Muter is with the Georgian
Bay Association, an Ontario-based environmental group. She says Canada’s Transport Minister
David Collinette will not help pay for the study unless it beefs up its environmental approach.


“We have heard from Minister Collinette that he is only interested in funding a joint study with
the U.S. transport department that will look at the environmental impacts and that the full
scenario is looked at.”


Others say Canada will sign on. Keith Robson of the Hamilton Port Authority believes Transport
Minister Collinette is dedicated to expansion.


“My impression is that Collinette understands very much the benefits of marine transportation.”


Collinette himself has declined to comment. Transport Canada says talks with the U.S. are
ongoing.


For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m David Sommerstein.

Congress to Approve Seaway Expansion Study?

Congress is considering spending up to 2-million dollars for a long-term study of widening and deepening the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Opponents say an expansion of the Seaway will only mean more environmental trouble for the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Mike Simonson reports:

Transcript

Congress is considering spending up to 2-million dollars for a long-term study of widening and
deepening the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Opponents say an expansion of the Seaway will only
mean more environmental trouble for the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s
Mike Simonson reports:


The bone of contention is a multi-year study that looks at allowing larger ocean-going ships to get
through the Seaway. The Seaway links the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. The National
Wildlife Federation’s Rick Spencer in Washington says that would rip up the Saint Lawrence
River and stir up pollution from Montreal to Milwaukee.


“Dredging hundreds of millions of cubic yard. Blasting islands. You are destroying fish habitat,
you’re going to be releasing toxic sediments. You’re going to increase the risk of new invasive
species.”


Right now channels are 25 feet deep. The study will look at digging 10 feet deeper, allowing
ships to take on more cargo at less cost. Duluth Port Director Davis Helberg says the protests are
exaggerated.


“We’re talking about a study. We’re talking about an analysis that will focus on engineering,
economics, and on the environmental aspects of keeping the Seaway competitive in the long
term.”


The proposal is in the House and Senate conference committee and will be decided later this
month.


For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, I’m Mike Simonson.

Enviros Oppose Channel Expansion Study

A coalition of environmental groups and others doesn’t want the Army Corps of Engineers to even study the idea of widening and deepening channels for larger ships on the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Lester Graham reports:

Transcript

A coalition of environmental groups and others doesn’t want the
Army Corps of Engineers to even study the idea of widening
and deepening channels for larger ships on the Great Lakes.
The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Lester Graham reports:


Great Lakes United represents organizations across the Great Lakes region who oppose
opening up the lakes to larger cargo vessels. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is
considering a 20-million dollar study to see if expanding channels makes economic sense
for shipping. Jennifer Nalbone is with Great Lakes United. She says it would be a waste
of money and time.


“Why spend five years to investigate what previous studies of the Great Lakes navigation
system have already told us, that expanding shipping capacity costs too much and gives
us too little.”


Nalbone says any economic benefit of expanding the channels could be offset by hurting
other economies such as tourism and fishing. Nalbone indicates Great Lakes United
doesn’t trust that the Army Corps of Engineers will give those industries and the
environment proper consideration.


For the Great Lakes Radio Consortium, this is Lester Graham.