JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A plan to bring a naval carrier to Mayport has hit a funding snag. The issue centers on money for a dredging project.

Lawmakers said the project is necessary for a nuclear carrier to be able to come into the channel without sucking up river mud.

Although local politicians said the Navy wants to bring down a carrier from Virginia to the area for security reason, leaders in Virginia have put up a fight and even moved to block funds to begin the necessary work.

"I think we need to fight for Florida. There's no question about it," said Gov. Charlie Crist. "I saw the issue about the drudging this morning that Virginia was able to, at least temporarily, have some success; but we'll never give up. When you're a Floridian, you just keep fighting for Florida."

"It's kind of a bump in the road. It's not really a roadblock. We're still on track to make Mayport a homeport for a nuclear carrier," said Rep. Ander Crenshaw.

In order to have a nuclear carrier Mayport would need to do some dredging in the St. Johns River.

Crenshaw said several subcommittees have taken up the funding bill. He said a subcommittee that's is heavily influenced by Virginia leaders has blocked funding for the dredging while his committee approved it.

Atlantic Beach Mayor John Meserve was once a commanding officer at Mayport. He said despite the battle brewing lawmakers will fund the dredging and make the "right decision."

"To me it's a little bit of silly politics, and we want and do support what the Navy said their strategic needs are," said Meserve. "Mayport is a gem."

Politicians said it's still early in the process and that the bill still has to make it through other committees before being finalized.