August 12, 2003

Dear Mr. Strimbeck:

Thank you for your letter regarding the automation of the Morgantown, Hildebrand and Opekiska locks on the Monongahela River. I appreciate your being in touch.

I am pursuing funding for the lock automation in the Fiscal Year 2004 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. The Water Resources Development Act is an authorization measure, not an appropriations measure. Therefore, there is no provision in WRDA for funding (an appropriation) for the lock automation. The House has passed the Energy and Water appropriations bill and did not include the funding I am pursuing. I will continue to try to obtain funding as the House moves to Conference with the Senate on this bill. However, given the tight fiscal situation we are facing, it is difficult to know if funding will be available.

I hope you won't hesitate to contact me again if I can be helpful in any way. I want to be of all possible service.

ABM:ao