Federal budget proposal includes $60 million for Wilmington District

Published Feb. 13, 2012

Wilmington, N.C.—President Obama’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2013 (FY13) includes funding for ongoing projects in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District.

 This budget supports the modernization of Federal water resources infrastructure processes to address 21st Century water resources needs through policies and procedures that govern Federal water resources development and strategies for both managing the Nation’s aging infrastructure and restoring aquatic ecosystem functions affected by past investments.

 The $60 million designated for Wilmington District projects continue funding for conduct of studies and design, construction activities, and operation and maintenance of Federal projects.  Under investigations, funding would continue feasibility studies on the Currituck Sound, John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir, Wilmington Harbor Improvements and Bogue Banks projects.  Design activities would also continue on the Surf City/North Topsail Beach and Neuse River Basin projects.  The Bogue Banks study of particular significance as this is the first year the project has been included in the Federal budget since 2004. 

 “We are pleased with this budget proposal,” said Army Col. Steven Baker, District commander.  “This is an increase from last year, and will allow us to complete critical work throughout the District.”

 The $8.3 million designated for construction funding includes $7.2 million for Wilmington Harbor for improvements to Eagle Island; $600,000 for design of environmental mitigation features for Wanchese Basin in Manteo (Shallowbag) Bay; $300,000 for environmental monitoring for Roanoke River Flood Risk Management project; and $200,000 for West Onslow Beach project to finalize design of the Topsail Beach coastal storm damage reduction project.

 The $49.9 million operation and maintenance budget continues work at the harbors at Wilmington, $16.4 million, Morehead City, $5.8 million as well as other shallow draft harbors and channels including the Manteo (Shallowbag) Bay (Oregon Inlet); and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.  The District’s five lakes and dams are included in the budget with John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir in Virginia and North Carolina receiving $10.1 million, Philpott Lake, Virginia, $4.8 million, W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir, North Carolina, $3.2 million, B. Everett Jordan Dam and Lake, North Carolina, nearly $1.7 million, and Falls Lake, nearly $1.8 million.

 Like each year’s presidential budget, this one begins a process that includes action by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and results in an appropriations bill to be signed before final funding amounts are known.


Release no. 18-048