Upton backs legislation to support recreational harbors in the Great Lakes

Statement

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, this week helped introduce the bipartisan Safer Harbors for Our Recreational Economy (SHORE) Act, legislation that would benefit a number of recreational harbors in the Sixth Congressional District. If passed, the legislation would require the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to account for recreation-based considerations in cost-benefit analysis procedures for harbor maintenance projects.

The SHORE Act was introduced by Reps. John Katko (R-NY) and Anthony Brindisi (D-NY). Upton is an original co-sponsor.

"This is important legislation that would have a direct positive impact for our recreational harbors in places like Saugatuck, South Haven, and New Buffalo, and I'm proud to support yet another bill that will continue to help preserve and protect our beautiful Great Lakes," Upton said. "In the United States, the outdoor recreation economy generates $778 billion in economic growth and supports more than 5.2 million American jobs. But the recreational economy is under threat because of the rising water levels in Lake Michigan and across the Great Lakes. The SHORE Act is needed to prioritize recreational infrastructure projects that serve an important role in the economy here in southwest Michigan and across the region."

Specifically the SHORE Act:

-Bolsters the Great Lakes recreation economy by directing the USACE and OMB to account for recreation-based considerations in cost-benefit analysis procedures for harbor maintenance projects. This ensures the economic benefits of recreational boating are thoroughly considered as part of the project authorization processes.
-Improves transparency for USACE and OMB's processes for prioritizing harbor maintenance projects by requiring these agencies to report to Congress on their procedures and issue recommendations for establishing a uniform calculation for recreation-based economic benefits.

Source