Hoyer Secures Federal Investments for Prince George's County
Washington, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) and the U.S. House of Representatives today 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 Prince George's 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 Prince George's County was included at the request of Rep. Hoyer. The Senate is expected to vote on the legislation this week.
"The residents of Prince George's County will truly benefit from the projects and programs funded in the conference report passed by the House today," said Congressman Hoyer. "Included in the bill are greatly needed funds to upgrade the Suitland Parkway and MD 4, acquire an interoperable radio system for Prince George's County law enforcement, sustain critical research and programs at BARC and Goddard Space Flight Center, assist in efforts to restore the Anacostia River and its tributaries, and bring the consolidation of the FDA at White Oak closer to completion."
Congressman Hoyer helped secure funding for the following programs that will benefit Prince George's County.
Food and Drug Administration at White Oak, $57.7 Million
The FDA will receive $57.7 million for its consolidation at White Oak. This project combines 18 different existing FDA facilities across the Greater Washington area into a state-of-the-art 130-acre campus where over 7,700 employees will eventually have offices. To date, Rep. Hoyer has helped secure nearly $736 million for the project. Specifically, this latest installment of funding will go towards a data center, employee parking facilities, and the design of critical office space and laboratories.
"Consolidating FDA's offices and laboratories at White Oak will allow some of the world's top researchers to move out of dilapidated working conditions and into state-of-the-art facilities," stated Rep. Hoyer. "I am proud to have secured this investment, which is necessary to keep the project moving forward and ensure the operating efficiencies of the consolidation are realized."
Agriculture
Beltsville Agriculture Research Center (BARC) Research Programs, $14.5 Million
The Beltsville Agricultural Research Center is the flagship of the Department of Agriculture's Agriculture Research Service, and is world-renowned for its plant, animal, and nutrition research capabilities. This research provides information to ensure that our food is safe and of high quality, to assess the nutritional needs of Americans, to sustain a competitive agricultural economy, to enhance the natural resource base and the environment, and to provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communities and the nation. Rep. Hoyer has helped secure millions of dollars for critical research programs at BARC. In addition, Rep. Hoyer has helped obtain over $124 million for renovation and modernization of BARC facilities and has helped to protect the almost 5,000 acres of forest and farmland on BARC property.
The President's budget routinely eliminates funding for many research programs conducted at BARC, which would terminate this important research. However, at the request of Congressman Hoyer, funding for the following important research programs will be restored: Barley Food Health Benefits Research, Biomedical Materials in Plants Research, Biomineral Soil Amendments for Control of Nematode, Bioremediation Research, Bovine Genetic Research, Coffee and Cocoa Research, Dairy Genetic Research, Floriculture and Nursery Crops, Food Safety Research, Foundry Sand By-Products Utilization Research, Johne's Disease Research, Lyme Disease 4 Poster Project, Medicinal and Bioactive Crops, Minor-Use Pesticides Research, National Germplasm Research, Natural Products for Human Health, Obesity Intervention, Potato Disease Research, Poultry Disease Research, Tufgrass Research, and Weed Management Research.
First Responder and Law Enforcement
Capital Wireless Integration Network (CapWIN) - $6.1 Million for full deployment across the National Capital Region. A regional coalition of public safety and transportation agencies across Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and the Federal Government, CapWIN is a communication system currently serving the National Capital Region, crossing jurisdictions and disciplines, which allows users to share incident management information and access law enforcement databases.
Prince George's County Interoperable Radio System - $1,997,500 to support the acquisition of Prince George's County's Interoperable Radio System. Prince George's County's proximity to the Nation's Capital and its role in supporting many critical federal agencies requires its first responders to effectively communicate with each other and with regional partners in the Washington area. Unfortunately, the County's current communications system offers only very limited capacity for the its first responders to interoperate with each other and offers no capability to communicate with other jurisdictions in the region.
"This funding will considerably strengthen Prince George's County's ability to respond to local emergencies and coordinate with federal and state partners on regional emergency response," stated Rep. Hoyer.
Bowie Police Department Interoperable Communications - $470,000 to provide the Bowie Police Department with radio upgrades to 800MHz capability for greater information sharing. As a new police department, Bowie is greatly in need of interoperable technology in order to interface with the Prince George's County system. Improved communications technology will enable the department to provide information sharing to prevent crimes, identify and apprehend criminals, and analyze information on a regional level.
Hyattsville Regional Data and Communications Project - $658,000 to establish a regional data and communications center between five municipal police departments (Hyattsville, Bladensburg, Greenbelt, Mount Rainier, and Riverdale Park) to integrate records management and communication among the five police forces. These funds will increase public safety by establishing a combined communications center, utilizing computer-aided dispatch, mobile data access and processing, and interoperable radios for all departments.
City of Laurel Radio System Upgrade - $611,000 to upgrade law enforcement and public works radios to ensure compatibility with Prince George's County. This upgrade is necessary for the City of Laurel's law enforcement and public works radio systems to become compatible with other jurisdictions in the National Capital Region. These funds will allow the City of Laurel to design their new radio system, purchase new radio equipment, and to upgrade their dispatch consoles.
Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office - Bilingual Victims Advocate - $42,300 to provide Spanish-language advocacy services to crime victims. The advocate would enable the Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office to provide services to the rapidly growing Spanish-speaking population in Prince George's County, therefore ensuring that Spanish-speaking crime victims receive the services they deserve.
Environmental Restoration and Historic Preservation
Paint Branch Watershed Storm Management Plan- $100,000
Project funding will enable the development of a comprehensive storm water management plan for the Paint Branch and Little Paint Branch Sub-watersheds of the Anacostia Watershed to mitigate the impacts of storm water volume. This funding will be equally matched by each of the following agencies: the University of Maryland, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), and the Anacostia Watershed Society.
"Many waterways are subject to flooding during periods of excessive rainfall," stated Rep. Hoyer. "This funding will address flooding vulnerabilities in these two sub-watersheds and ensure floodwater protection for surrounding communities."
Anacostia River Comprehensive Plan - $492,000
As the lead Federal agency in water resource management, the Army Corps of Engineers plays a vital role in the restoration of the Anacostia River and its tributaries. In the early 1990's, the Corps completed a study of the present and future uses and problems of the Anacostia River's water and related land resources. Since then, the Corps has undertaken or participated in a variety of projects in the watershed, including the beneficial use of dredged materials, removal of fish passage blockages, and wetlands restoration. The quality of the watershed continues to improve greatly with these and efforts conducted by local, State, and other Federal agencies. Funding will enable the Corps to develop an updated comprehensive plan for the Anacostia River in cooperation with local, State, and Federal stakeholders.
Paint Branch Restoration - $2.657 Million
The Paint Branch, a tributary of the Anacostia River, has become blocked to spawning fish because of a Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission sewer main that was installed (properly) several decades ago, and has become exposed in recent years because of the degradation of the stream. In some places the stream has moved as much as 150 feet laterally from its original banks, causing major erosion along the course of the stream. The Army Corps of Engineers proposes to return the stream to its original banks, take measures to control its flow to prevent future erosion, and restore riparian buffers upstream to prevent further erosion and exacerbation of the problem.
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."
Save America's Treasures - Poplar Hill on His Lordship's Kindness - $160,000 Million
Poplar Hill on His Lordship's Kindness, located in Clinton, was built circa 1785 on land deeded by Charles Calvert, the third Lord Baltimore. The unique structure is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of two National Historic Landmarks in Prince George's County, Maryland. The funding would be used to restore the roof of the main house and wings.
"More than two centuries of natural weathering has compromised the structural integrity of this national historic landmark," stated Rep. Hoyer. "I am thrilled that this funding has been awarded to aid in the preservation efforts of this grand historic site."
Chesapeake Bay Programs – More than $40 Million
Education and Economic Development
Bowie State University Principal's Academy Institute - $195,000 to aid Bowie State University in creating a Principal's Institute for the training and certification of school principals. The institute will be established in cooperation with the Prince George's County Public Schools and the Maryland State Department of Education.
College Park Aviation Museum - $146,000 to expand educational programs, exhibits and displays at the museum. The College Park Aviation Museum is located on the grounds of the world's oldest continuously operating airport and draws increasing numbers of visitors every year. The program expansion is part of the celebration of the College Park Airport Centennial of Flight (1909-2009).
University of Maryland Energy Research Center - $742,000
The Nation's security and economic health are dependent upon future access to stable, clean, and secure sources of affordable energy. This requires a multifaceted program that calls on science, technology, prototyping, public policy, economics and environmental analysis. The University of Maryland Energy Research Center will focus on energy technology research (including hydrogen fuel cell systems and advanced nano film solar energy conversion) and affiliated issues. A key goal of the Center is to bring a new direction and unity to the university's many energy related programs. It will play a crucial, enabling role in attracting support for researchers and units across the university, particularly for multi-disciplinary projects.
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. A proven model, Best Buddies achieves this goal by organizing – and rigorously overseeing – volunteer-run chapters on middle school, high school, and college campuses. There are two Best Buddies chapters in Prince George's County.
College Park Redevelopment Project - $300,000 to foster economic development in College Park. The City of College Park has entered into a public-private partnership to construct a new parking garage with first floor retail, relocate and build a new city hall, and establish a mixed-use development.
Housing Partnership Network - $300,000 for a statewide initiative to develop rental and homeownership opportunities for low and moderate-income families throughout Maryland.
Transportation
Suitland Parkway and MD Route 4 - $2.5 Million for the design and construction of MD 4 and Suitland Parkway Interchange and for upgrades to Suitland Parkway. The Suitland Parkway Interchange project would expand a major corridor from Calvert County in Southern Maryland to Washington, D.C. and improve access to the military bases in Southern Maryland. Funds would be used to acquire right-of-way for the construction of a roundabout diamond interchange and associated ramps connecting MD 4 and Suitland Parkway. Congressman Hoyer has secured $9.75 million for this important project since 2004.
South Capitol Street Corridor: Design of Suitland Parkway/ MLK Ave. Interchange and Suitland Parkway/ I-295 Interchange - $500,000 for improvements to the South Capitol Street Corridor that will streamline traffic flow on one of Maryland's key gateways into the Nation's Capital. This funding will be used specifically to redesign traffic movement at the interchanges at Suitland Parkway and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Suitland Parkway and I-295 to improve traffic flow in all directions. Redesigning these interchanges has become more urgent due to the increased traffic expected in the coming years from the U.S. Coast Guard's relocation to St. Elizabeth's, the District's new baseball stadium, and development along the Anacostia in Southeast, DC. Over the past six years, Congressman Hoyer has secured over $13.75 million toward improving transportation along the South Capitol Street Corridor.
Suitland Road Gateway - $1 Million to redevelop the 1.4 mile stretch of roadway between Allentown Road and Suitland Parkway. Prince George's County will use these funds to cover the road right-of-way acquisition cost, enabling the County to commence work on the heart of the project: widening and resurfacing the road to increase capacity and implementing safety and aesthetic streetscape improvements.
U.S. 301 - $1 Million to help address the transportation needs along U.S. 301 in Prince George's and Charles Counties. This highway is a major commuter thoroughfare from Southern Maryland to Washington, DC. Due to the economic growth in this region, U.S. 301 is often very congested and is in desperate need of upgrades. These critical funds will be used to help ease the delays along this vital transportation corridor.
Homeland Security
Department of Homeland Security University Programs- $ 49,297,000 to support Centers of Excellence at universities around the country. These Centers bring together leading experts and researchers to conduct multidisciplinary research and education as part of an effort to find homeland security solutions, including the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terror (START), a Center of Excellence at the University of Maryland, College Park. START works to provide guidance on how to disrupt terrorist networks, reduce the incidence of terrorism, and enhance the resilience of U.S. society in the face of the terrorist threat.
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