Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2007

Contact:
Caroline Burns
(202) 225-3631

$2,250,000 FOR PROJECTS IN SWGA

Washington, D.C. Today, Congressman Sanford Bishop announced that the Appropriations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives approved the fiscal year (FY) 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, including provisions that will benefit two projects in the Second Congressional District of Georgia, the Fall Line Ecosystem Restoration Project on the Chattahoochee River and improving the City of Albany’s floodplain mapping system.

Approximately $2,000,000 was approved for the Fall Line Ecosystem Restoration Project to remove two low-head dams, restore fish habitat for shoal bass and other species on a 2.3-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River. By improving environmental quality on the river, this project also will help advance eco-tourism and economic development in the area.

"This project demonstrates how economic development and environmental protection can go hand in hand, and I am pleased the House Appropriations Committee recognized this in approving this project," said Bishop.

Additionally, the bill provides $250,000 for the City of Albany to update its floodplain mapping, inventory, and public service assistance programs to reflect recent changes in topography, population, and commercial growth. Albany, which has been adversely affected by flooding during the past 10 years, will be able to better serve, protect and accommodate future growth in both its population and economy through these improvements.

Remarked Bishop, "As Albany grows, it is vitally important that investments in economic development are protected from natural disasters. Improving technology that allows the city to better plan for flooding, which has plagued the area in recent years, is crucial to that aim. I am pleased to have been able to help make it happen."

Overall, the FY 2008 bill allocates $30.3 billion to the Department of Energy’s budget, which represents a $1.15 billion increase over FY 2007 levels and $480 million above the amount requested by President Bush. Much of the Committee’s bill re-focuses research and development (R&D) within the Energy Department to areas such as alternative fuels and nuclear non-proliferation. It also focuses funding for the Army Corps of Engineers on strengthening the nation’s navigational infrastructure and improving flood control programs.

The bill is expected to be considered by the full House of Representatives next week.

For a complete summary of the bill, please visit the House Appropriations website:

http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/EnergyandWater-FC.pdf.

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