Hoyer Secures Investments in Maryland Environmental & Economic Priorities
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) announced that the Energy and Water Appropriations for FY 2010, which passed the House today, includes $9,471,000 for several projects important to the environmental and economic health of Maryland and the Fifth District. Funding for all projects listed below was included at Rep. Hoyer's request.
"These projects will make significant environmental and economic improvements to the waterways and natural resources in Maryland," said Congressman Hoyer. "I am pleased that the House made a commitment to improving the health of and the access to these waters for all who use them, and in doing so, creating jobs through investments in conservation and infrastructure improvement efforts."
Congressman Hoyer helped secure funding for the following projects in Maryland's Fifth Congressional District:
Chesapeake Bay Oyster Recovery - $9 million
Oysters are essential to the well being of the Chesapeake Bay. Oyster reefs not only provide critical habitat and feeding grounds for other essential species, but also serve as natural filters screening out algae, sediments, and pollutants. Unfortunately, due to disease, pollution, and over-fishing, oyster populations are only between one and two percent of their levels just a century ago. This funding would continue efforts by the Army Corps of Engineers to design and build oyster reefs in the Chesapeake Bay. Activities include construction of oyster bars and reefs, rehabilitation of existing marginal habitat, and construction of oyster hatcheries. Congressman Hoyer helped secure $2 million for this program in the bill. An additional $7 million was added on the adoption of an amendment offered by Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia which was supported by Congressman Hoyer.
Anacostia River and Tributaries MD & DC Comprehensive Plan - $321,000
This funding will enable the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its local partners to complete a comprehensive plan, which will identify environmental restoration and conservation projects throughout the Anacostia watershed that may be undertaken to address the degraded river system that is a gateway to our Nation's capital. This investment will set a framework to identify specific projects that local, State, and Federal stakeholders can undertake to improve the health of this river and bolster the quality of life for all who live in the watershed.
Fishing Creek Dredging, Calvert County - $150,000
Funding will be provided for engineering and design associated with dredging the Federal channel at Fishing Creek in Calvert County. Since the channel was last dredged approximately 8 years ago, the seven-foot channel has shoaled to a depth of below five feet in several areas. The Department of the Navy which uses this channel has experienced problems with running aground and, if left untouched, similar issues will be faced by commercial and recreational boaters. This dredging project will remove impediments to the U.S. Navy, improve safety and access for recreational and commercial boaters, and help preserve area businesses dependent on water access.
The bipartisan-supported bill also invests $2.25 billion - $321 million above 2009 - to increase investments in technologies that use energy more effectively and produce clean, inexpensive energy from domestic sources, allowing for efforts that will provide long-term solutions to our energy needs and create new American jobs. In addition, this bill continues to invest in the development of a new "smart grid" to ensure electricity delivery and energy reliability. The bill also continues ongoing nuclear nonproliferation efforts to help protect Americans from nuclear and other threats..
The Energy and Water Appropriations bill must now be reconciled with the Senate Appropriations bill, before returning to the House for a final vote.
Bill Text and Summary (Full Committee Markup)
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