WASHINGTON -- Rep. Ander Crenshaw said House Appropriations Committee approval of $46.3 million in dredging funds and $29.6 million for Charlie Wharf upgrades at Naval Station Mayport underscores growing commitment to key national security initiatives at the base.

“This vote is great news for Naval Station Mayport and provides growing testament to the importance of these projects to our national security,” said Crenshaw, a member of the House Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Subcommittee. “My subcommittee understood the necessity of these initiatives and passed them last week with my strong support. Today, the full committee followed suit, and I expect Congress will ultimately do the same.”

“Passage of this funding is a matter of placing our national security first and foremost. The United States Navy has clearly indicated it wants an alternate East Coast location for a nuclear carrier any time, day or night,” Crenshaw continued. “The dredging project, while also a necessary step to home-porting a nuclear carrier at Mayport, would allow the Navy to bring in a carrier whenever it’s needed. Charlie Pier upgrades also support the national security mission.”

The House Appropriations Committee passed the projects as a part of its approval of the Fiscal Year 2010 Military Construction (MILCON), Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. The subcommittee passed the measure on June 16. The legislation now moves to the floor of the Congress for consideration.

The Appropriations Bill also contains funding for:

Naval Station Mayport training and fitness complex for servicemen and women and their families - $26.3 million.

United States Marine Corps Blount Island Command - $3.7 million for Port Operations Center.

Jacksonville Defense Logistics Agency Fuel Farm - $11.5 million to replace fuel tanks.

Naval Station Jacksonville 9-8A Modification - $5.9 million.