WASHINGTON – This week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2864, the Water Resources and Development Act of 2005, which includes authorization for the Moore Drain Flood Mitigation Project in the City of Vassar in Tuscola County.  Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced that the project would be eligible for future funding as part of the annual federal appropriations process. 

“I am pleased that this important project was approved for future funding by my House colleagues,” Kildee said.  “This drain project will protect residences and businesses in the Vassar area by reducing their risk to flooding that future rains may bring.  We must be proactive in helping communities protect themselves from flood damage.”

The Moore Drain project would help eliminate frequent flooding and reduce the water level in the Cass River in and around the City of Vassar.  Flooding has caused severe damage to residences and businesses in the downtown area, as well as caused traffic detours and delays in response time by emergency vehicles. 

The project would include two diversion systems, pipes, backflow prevention structures, culvert replacements, and sediment basins.  Because of the importance of this project to Vassar, it recently received funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist with efforts to alleviate the flooding.