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Washington, D.C., October 29th – Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat and senior member of the House Appropriations Committee praised today’s passage of the Fiscal Year 2010 Interior Appropriations Conference Report (H.R. 2996), which passed the House today by a vote of 247 to 178.
“Caring about the quality of our water, the diversity of our wildlife, and the fate of our historic landmarks isn’t limited to one region or special interest.” said Moran. “These issues cut across ideology and geographical lines, affecting us all. I’m proud to have helped ensure Northern Virginia’s priorities were represented in the bill.”
The bill includes a Continuing Resolution to allow continued government operations through December 18, 2009.
Below is a list of projects secured by the Congressman:
Chowan, Blackwater, Nottoway, Albemarle River Conservation- $2.240 million to support a multi-agency effort to protect 3,517 acres of river frontage through the acquisition of four conservation easements along the Blackwater and Nottoway rivers, headwaters to the Chowan River and key tributaries of the Albemarle/Pamlico Sound ecosystem.
Wildlife Database- $2 million to support the development and maintenance of NatureServe’s Conservation Works program, the nation's only consistent data set on the status and location of species of greatest conservation need and their habitats.
Water Quality & Waste Water Research- $2 million for the Alexandria-based Water Environment Research Foundation to support its applied research on cost-effective technologies to address drinking water issues including desalination, natural disaster preparation, replacing aging drinking systems, energy issues and treating water contaminants.
Blair’s Wharf Conservation- $1 million to protect 125 acres, known as Blair’s Wharf, within the James River National Wildlife Refuge. The site has important historic and conservation value and includes a half mile of pristine shoreline and Bald Eagle nests.
Storm Water Management- $500,000 to implement a storm water management program in Falls Church to catch runoff from municipal building roofs and capture and treat storm water runoff from municipal parking lots. Runoff from impermeable surfaces is the leading cause of pollution in the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.
Water Reuse Program- $500,000 for Alexandria’s Water Reuse Program that would enable Alexandria’s Sanitation Authority to use recycled waste water to be used as a coolant for the Covanta Waste Recovery Plant on Eisenhower Avenue.
Four Mile Run Restoration- $500,000 to the Arlington-Alexandria partnership to restore the Four Mile Run watershed. Funding would be used to complete the first phase of the master plan to transform a segment of Four Mile Run, an urbanized cement stream channel, back into a natural stream and better utilize the open space adjacent to the stream. The total Congressman Moran has appropriated for this project is $9.1 million.
Rappahannock River Valley Wildlife Refuge- $500,000 to acquire the 265-acre Bowers tract at Fones Cliff for the Rappahannock River National Wildlife Refuge. Federal acquisition will create opportunities to develop hiking trails and preserve historic sites related to the Captain John Smith National Water Trail, the largest gathering of bald eagles on the East coast.
Wastewater Treatment Assistance- $750,000 to the Alexandria-based Water Environment Federation for its National Biosolids Partnership program. The cooperative program links the Water Environment Foundation, Clean Water agencies, EPA and more than 100 municipalities that provide technical assistance, best practices, training and guidance to wastewater treatment utilities.
Fort Hunt Restoration- $250,000 for the restoration of the Fort Hunt NCO Quarters, a classified World War II interrogation facility which is the only structure still standing from P.O. Box 1142. Restoration would enable the structure to be opened to the public with displays and exhibits portraying its significant intelligence contribution to the war effort—key intelligence gained without the use of torture.
Fort Ward Park Restoration- $75,000 to preserve the Fort Ward Civil War Fort, improve access for the disabled, and update displays to include more recent historical developments in the park's history.
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