South Shore ports might get their share of a $33.5 billion bill passed by the House of Representatives earlier this month. Joe Cadotte reports.

Congressman Dave Obey’s $4 million request to finance water and sewer projects in northwestern Wisconsin awaits senate approval and the president’s signature. If the bill passes $913,000 will fund repair work and dredging of the Ashland Harbor. Ashland Planning Director Brea Grace says they need the money.

“Lake Superior is the reason Ashland was established here. So we’ve got to maintain that critical link to the Great Lakes through our shipping channel.”

The bill includes a $100,000 silting study for Cornucopia Harbor in the town of Bell. That will lead to the clean up of dirt, clay, and sand clogging the town’s harbor which is built up from logging in the past century. Bell Supervisor Yvette Fleming says the South Shore harbors are the economic drivers of Port Wing, Herbster, and Corny.

“Every business in town relies, to some degree, on that Marina. There’s a bed and breakfast right there. There are cabins right across the street from the actual boat launch. And the Village Inn has four rooms over the restaurant that people stay at on a regular basis when they’re in dock.”

One point nine millions dollars is slated for dredging at Port Wing, LaPointe, Cornucopia, and Bayfield.

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