19 December 2002

Dear Mr. Strimbeck:

Thank you for writing me regarding the locks on the Upper Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers. I appreciate your continued contact on this issue.

As you may know, the appropriations process for Fiscal Year (FY) 2003 is not yet complete. Currently, the hope is that all bills will be completed in January, including the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, which provides funds to the Corps of Engineers. The House and Senate Full Appropriations Committees have passed their versions of the bill, although both may be substantially rewritten. Both contain the Presidential Request of $14,360,00 for Operations and Maintenance on the Monongahela River, and the Presidential Request of $4,000,000 for Operations and Maintenance on the Allegheny River. The final number will not be determined until a Conference has been held between the House and the Senate and the President signs the final version of the bill.

Currently, as you know, there is no funding in either the House or the Senate bill for the request I made for automation of the Hildebrand and Opekiska locks. However, I will certainly pursue any opportunity to have that request included prior to the completion of the FY 2003 Energy and Water bill.

I appreciate your thoughts on how the Corps should take into account the economic benefits of recreational boating and should consider other factors, such as the actual value of the cargo transiting the locks, when budgeting. Please know that I will keep your thought in mind as we continue both the appropriations process and consideration of any Corps of Engineers reauthorization legislation.

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