Congressman Rick Larsen's Online Office

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) secured $ 650,000 to help fund the final phase of the Lighthouse Point Water Reclamation Facility. The project will improve the local quality of life by enhancing water quality, restoring shellfish beds and tribal resources and providing infrastructure to serve new customers and economic growth in the local area.  The project will affect all residents in the Drayton Harbor/Birch Point area and will enhance community growth and aquaculture, a historical part of this community and tribal heritage. The final phase of the project will abandon the existing treatment plant and redirect sewage flow to the new treatment plant by constructing new pumping and conveyance facilities. This funding was included in subcommittee markup of the FY2011 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill and now must be voted on by the full Appropriations Committee.

“This funding will help complete the construction of a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant for the City of Blaine,” said Rep. Larsen. “This long awaited facility will improve local infrastructure in the community and spur economic growth in the region.”

“This project started ten years ago after we had to stop our sewer expansion project because we unearthed significant cultural remains.  That was about the time the Congressman Larsen took office.  At that time, he made our project a high priority and has stayed involved for a decade.  We cannot say how appreciative we are of him and the Department of Interior's Rural Development program for their help,” said Gary Tomsic, City Manager for the City of Blaine.

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