Hoyer Secures Federal Funding for Anne Arundel
Washington, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) and the U.S. House of Representatives this evening approved a federal appropriations bill that begins to reinvest in the American people's priorities and provides critical support for projects and programs that will benefit Anne Arundel County. The Omnibus Appropriations bill, which consolidates 11 of the 12 appropriations bills for fiscal year 2008, will fund 14 of the 15 Cabinet departments, several independent government agencies, and the District of Columbia government. The funding for projects in Anne Arundel County was included at the request of Rep. Hoyer. The Senate is expected to vote on the legislation this week.
"This funding will support a variety of programs that will benefit Anne Arundel County," said Congressman Hoyer. "Included in the conference report are funds that will support the preservation of the Lost Towns Museum Exhibit, so the historic treasures excavated at London Town are preserved for Anne Arundel County residents and visitors to appreciate for generations to come. Funds for the dredging of Parrish Creek will contribute to a long-overdue project that will increase navigability of the waterway."
Congressman Hoyer helped secure funding for the following programs that will benefit Anne Arundel County.
Education and Community Development
Lost Towns Museum Exhibit at Historic London Town and Gardens - $48,000 to preserve a priceless comparative assemblage of archaeological artifacts excavated at the site of London Town, a 1683 European settlement that was designated an official Save America's Treasures site in 1999. The exhibit will be housed within a newly constructed visitor center, museum, and archaeology lab facility at Historic London Town and Gardens in Edgewater, MD.
Best Buddies Maryland - $292,000 to support middle and high school chapters in Maryland. Founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver in 1989, Best Buddies is dedicated to fostering the social integration of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Best Buddies achieves this goal by organizing – and rigorously overseeing – volunteer-run chapters on middle school, high school, and college campuses. There are four Best Buddies chapters in Anne Arundel County.
Housing Partnership Network - $300,000 for a statewide initiative to develop rental and homeownership opportunities for low and moderate-income families throughout Maryland.
Environmental Restoration and Conservation
USFWS Patuxent Research Refuge $4 Million/USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center - $4.58 Million
This funding will support water, sewer, and facilities infrastructure renovations at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge and the U.S. Geological Services Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. The facility is the nation's first wildlife experimental station and research refuge. Rep. Hoyer was also instrumental in directing federal funds towards the construction of the National Wildlife Visitor Center and helped secure funding to enable the purchase of 8,000 additional acres for the Refuge.
"Since its establishment, the Patuxent Research Refuge/Wildlife Research Center has grown into a comprehensive wildlife and ecosystem research operation that has rightfully earned international accolade," stated Rep. Hoyer. "The funds are crucial in order to preserve its status as a premier educational wildlife facility and to continue accommodating the center's many visitors."
Parrish Creek - $59,000
This funding will aid in the engineering and design for the dredging of the 4,010 foot Parrish Creek Federal Navigation Project in Anne Arundel County. The project was last dredged in 1987 and has shoaled to a controlling depth of 5.5 feet at mean lower low water. This has significantly impeded the abilities of local watermen, marina operators, and recreational boaters.
South River – Instances of Cancer in Brown Bullheads
Last year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) confirmed the presence of cancerous tumors in brown bullheads found in Maryland's South River. According to FWS, these fish have the highest skin tumor rate and second highest liver tumor rate of those studied in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The legislation directs FWS to utilize funding to further investigate this matter. Determining the root cause of these tumors is an important element in the overall efforts to restore the South River and ensure the continued health of its fish and wildlife and that of local residents.
Chesapeake Bay Programs – More than $40 Million
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