Kelly, Thompson push to maintain northwest Pennsylvania’s $60M tourism industry

Noting that the Presque Isle State Park supports more than 1,000 jobs and a $60-million tourism economy in their home state, Republican U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly and Glenn ‘G.T.’ Thompson of Pennsylvania have requested that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers make beach nourishment there a high priority.

Federal funding to handle the project should be included in the Army Corps of Engineers’ fiscal year (FY) 2019 budget and FY 2018 work plan, the lawmakers wrote in a bipartisan, bicameral April 20 letter to Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) R.D. James. U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Bob Casey (D-PA) cosigned the letter.

“Continued federal assistance for Presque Isle is needed to combat the detrimental effects of sand erosion, which has increased the likelihood of beach closures, public safety concerns, and potential threats to the environment, endangered species, and personal property on Presque Isle,” according to the letter.

“I’m very proud to once again lead this bipartisan effort to ensure that Presque Isle beaches remain pristine and healthy for the millions of families and tourists who visit them each year,” said Rep. Kelly in an April 23 statement.

Rep. Kelly noted that the seven-mile park, which stretches along Lake Erie’s shoreline, requires proper care and sand replenishment each year to remain operational. “More than 1,000 local jobs depend on it, which makes this fight so critical,” the congressman said. “I expect the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to once again recognize the importance of maintaining this natural and economic treasure for our entire region and country.”

A study by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has reported that approximately 4 million visitors flock annually to the area, pumping more than $60 million into northwestern Pennsylvania’s economy, according to the lawmakers’ letter.

“Needless to say, it is critical for the region that the beach remains a popular attraction and that the shoreline’s integrity is fully maintained,” wrote the lawmakers, who said they’ll keep working with state and local officials to ensure that Presque Isle beaches “are properly maintained and continue to support the region’s robust tourism industry.”