Senator Katie Britt Advocates for Alabama’s Waterways at Congressional Hearing
At a recent Capitol Hill hearing, U.S. Senator Katie Britt took time to highlight the deteriorating waterways in Alabama, especially focusing on the Demopolis, Holt, and Wilson Rock canals. Lawmakers have noted that all three gates have encountered failures recently.
Britt, a Republican from Montgomery, addressed Lt. Gen. William H. Graham, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers commander, regarding this pressing issue.
“When these failures occur, it disrupts our entire economy,” Britt remarked. “We’ve seen negative repercussions across various sectors. The agriculture industry feels it, and it also impacts the energy and aerospace industries.”
Over the last few months, Republicans have collaborated with the Army Corps of Engineers to push for substantial funding aimed at upgrading the locks.
“I’m pleased that we have allocated budgets for repairs at Demopolis and Holt,” she explained to Graham. “It’s vital to address these issues before they escalate. We shouldn’t wait until they fail. Proactive upgrades and maintenance are essential.”
Lt. Gen. Graham informed Britt that he had personally visited Demopolis with senior engineers to assess the situation.
“I wanted to grasp what we might be looking at and what the critical points were,” he shared.
Britt then pointed out the successful Mobile Bay Deep Waterport project, emphasizing that it was completed on time and within budget.
“In Mobile Harbor, this year is significant for deepening. Stable and predictable funding is crucial for our success,” military officials stated.
In her concluding remarks, Britt shifted her focus to the mobile port, stating, “This is highly important. We can boost the economy through the mobile port while responsibly managing our natural resources. Using dredged material can benefit wetlands and help restore habitats.”
“I am committed to this, and I believe we can achieve both objectives.”
Senator Britt has led the Alabama delegation in sending letters to the Army Corps of Engineers, expressing concerns over the lock issues in significant waterways.
