Every day, the Genesee River is slowly being blocked. That's because every year, about a foot and a half of sediment builds up on the floor of the river. While this might not matter to many people in the Rochester area, there are numerous possible consequences if the river is not dredged.
"I've heard the horror stories that if it isn't dredged, it'll fill right in and there won't be access at all," says Mike Parker, president of the Charlotte Community Association.
Parker isn't far off. In 2007, a barge became stuck by running aground after sediment built up in the river. A cement shipment was essentially denied. If barges can't provide commercial river traffic, that shipping will have to be done by truck. Local companies estimate that will lead to another 7,000 trucks a year on our local roads.
That's more damage to roads and bridges and more tax dollars spent to repair them.
Boat shipping is cheaper, so without it, local businesses will pay more and almost certainly raise prices.
Then there are the public events and celebrations, including Harborfest and River Romance, that feature large ships.
"if the dredging isn't able to get done, they won't be able to get in here," Parker says. He's worried that public events could be canceled this year.
Senator Chuck Schumer says that people who use the port are already charged a small fee -- and that money should pay for dredging.
"The Corps of Engineers has told us they want to dredge here and they have to dredge here!" Schumer explains.
Schumer blames "bureaucrats" for holding up the money, but he believes he can convince his colleagues in Washington to make this project a priority in 2011. "If we don't, there will be some serious consequences," Schumer warns. "No one wants to see that."
