Bilbray Announces Funding Recommendations for 2009 Fiscal Year

(Washington D.C.)- In keeping with his commitment to bring transparency to the federal appropriations process, Congressman Brian Bilbray today announced his funding recommendations for the 2009 fiscal year.

“I am requesting federal funding for programs that focus specifically on promoting national security, easing traffic congestion, enhancing public health, and improving the environment,” said Bilbray, who has posted all his requests on his Congressional website. (www.house.gov/bilbray).

“The public has a right to know who is seeking funding, how much is being sought, and for what projects,” added Bilbray. “This entire process should be done out in the sunlight, not under a cloud of secrecy as has been the case in the past.”

Under the appropriations process, members of Congress submit projects to various subcommittees of the House Appropriations Committee for funding consideration.  Recommendations are then forwarded to the Appropriations Committee.

Below is the complete list of Congressman Bilbray’s funding requests for the 2009 fiscal year:

SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE AND RELATED AGENCIES

Regional Communications System (RCS) Upgrade--$3,500,000

San Diego County suffered through one of the worst fire storms in our nation’s history last October, destroying more than 1,500 homes at a cost of more than $1 billion.  The San Diego Regional Communications System (RCS) has been in existence since 1998 and involves 215 public agencies.  This project will move the County of San Diego and its cities forward in the implementation of an effective, efficient regional interoperable communications system.  This system will be critical both in terms of daily, routine communications and during disaster emergencies and other events that demand that all public safety agencies be able to communicate effectively.  

Joint First Responders Training Facility--$500,000

With the most traveled international border in the world, a large number of military installations, an international airport, major tourist attractions and an internationally used port, San Diego County is certainly a potential target for terrorism. Under this project, the Carlsbad police, fire, public works and other regional public safety organizations, including the FBI and DEA, would be able to utilize a single, state-of-the-art training facility.  The first phase of development for the regional law enforcement training facility is to procure the technology for advanced training.  The funding requested at this time will acquire a targeting computer system, software for shooting range target controls and simulation for shooting practice, as well as computer controls for burn props and smoke generators for training.

Mobile Data Computer Infrastructure--$325,000

The Escondido Police Department is seeking funding for 65 new Mobile Data Computers (MDCs).  The Police Department currently maintains approximately 160 MDCs.  About 40 percent of these are three to four years old and are used beyond the manufacturers warranty period.  Although these MDCs are still in the field and functioning, they are very costly to maintain.

Automatic License Plate Recognition Technology--$ 50,642

The Automatic License Plate Recognition Technology (ALPR) uses an infrared camera mounted to a patrol car to automatically read the license plates of passing or parked cars.  The system then instantaneously compares the license number with a stolen vehicle database.  The system will alert the officer if it has recognized a stolen vehicle and displays a snapshot photo of the vehicle on the patrol car’s mobile computer. The ALPR runs continuously, automatically capturing images of license plates in nearly every lighting condition.

SUBCOMMITTEE ON DEFENSE

Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center at Burnham Institute--$3,000,000

With the most traveled international border in the world, large number of military installations, an international airport, a major tourist destination and an internationally used port, San Diego County is certainly a potential target for terrorism. To protect our citizens from growing pathogenic threats, the Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Center (IIDC) at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research will build on its studies and understanding of diseases that result from a broad range of human pathogens.  They will define and characterize host responses to infection, including innate and adaptive immunity and inflammation, providing a molecular understanding of host pathogen interactions. (Because this program would also assist the United States military in protecting our soldiers in the battlefield against growing pathogenic threats, Congressman Bilbray has also sent this funding request to the Committee on Armed Services)

SUBCOMMITTE ON ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT

Solana Beach-Encinitas Shore Protection Project--$375,000

The coastline of Solana Beach and Encinitas is experiencing significant erosion, resulting in loss of beach width and undermining coastal bluffs.  The bluff erosion is extremely dangerous to the public as portions of the bluffs have already collapsed. This project will allow a protective barrier to be built between the bluffs and the open ocean.  The project is ready to start the preconstruction, engineering and design phase (PED).  

North San Diego Area Water Recycling Project--$500,000

The North San Diego County Water Recycling Project is a regional cooperative effort by the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority, the Leucadia County Water District, the City of Carlsbad and the Olivenhain Municipal Water District.  When completed, the project will add up to 5 billion gallons annually to the San Diego region’s local water supply.  The first phase of the project (The San Elijo Project), which is complete, is already producing 500 million gallons of recycled water annually.  The second phase (the Olivenhain Southeast Project) is producing an additional 125 million gallons annually as of June 2003.  By 2008, it will increase to 350 million gallons per year. The third phase (City of Carlsbad) is operational and delivering 200 million gallons per year and will deliver up to 1.5 billion gallons per year by the end of 2008.  The North San Diego County Water Recycling Project is authorized by Public Law 104-266 to receive federal cost-sharing assistance through the Bureau of Reclamation’s Title XVI program.  Under this program, the Bureau is authorized to contribute up to 25 percent of the total cost of constructing the project, up to $20 million.  The total cost of the project is expected to be $100,000,000.  This is an ongoing federal project and has received approximately $17,000,000 in federal funds to date.

Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP)/Southern California Beach Processes Study (SCBPS)--$3,000,000

The Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP) measures, models and forecasts wave activity along the entire U.S. West Coast, Georgia, the Hawaiian Islands, and Guam. The results are then disseminated in real time to the National Weather Service (and to more than 80,000 users per day via the website http://cdip.ucsd.edu), and based on CDIP information, sea state and surf warnings are issued for the protection of life and property.  The Southern California Beach Processes Study (SCBPS) monitors beach elevation, and disseminates this information to the coastal community at http://cdip.ucsd.edu/SCBPS where local governments and engineers use this data for making educated policy decisions for protecting and enhancing local beaches.  Both programs (CDIP and SCBPS) are critical to marine safety and operations for the coastal United States, and there are no competitive funding sources available.

SUBCOMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY

San Diego Wildland Urban Interface Brush Management Program--$1,500,000

In October 2007, San Diego County suffered through one of the worst fire storms in our nation’s history, destroying more than 1,500 homes at a cost of more than $1 billion.  This funding would implement wildfire fuels reduction and brush management to create 100 feet of defensible space on 1180 acres of open space property owned by the city of San Diego, prioritized based on fire threat mapping by the city’s Fire Chief.

Recent history has proven that major wildland fire events in San Diego exact an incredibly high financial toll to all involved, including private property owners, local, state and federal governments.  Major disasters such as the ones experienced in San Diego last fall cost the federal government significant amounts in response and recovery.  While final expenditures are not known, FEMA has received applications from thousands of San Diego County citizens.  By thinning the brush in the wildland urban area interface, structures stand a better chance of being defended.  By saving these structures, fewer FEMA and SBA dollars will need to be extended to property owners for recovery purposes.

SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES

Leucadia Flood Control Project Design in the City of Encinitas, Highway 101 from Athena Street north to La Costa Avenue--$1,000,000

This funding will be used to design an underground storm drain system with the capacity to convey the peak flow rate from a 100-year frequency storm event.  This large storm drain system is required to convey the runoff from the Leucadia watershed. Preliminary results show that to accommodate a 100-year storm, a 5-foot diameter pipe is required at the upstream end of the watershed, eventually transitioning to a 9-foot diameter pipe at the outlet into the lagoon.  This includes utilization of the existing 24-inch storm drain as a low-flow system discharging to the detention basins north of La Costa Avenue in order to preserve water quality.  This storm drain system would remove the floodplain for up to a 100-year storm from the study area.

Solana Beach Wastewater Treatment System Improvement Project--$2,000,000

Funding for this project would go towards upgrading a 40 year-old wastewater treatment system in order to meet State and Federal health and safety standards and to avert a potential disaster in the San Elijo Lagoon. Protecting the San Elijo Lagoon is the main focus as a potential sewer main break would prove disastrous to the entire ecosystem.  This project consists of three main components, including replacement of the Solana Beach Force Main, upgrades to the Eden Gardens Pump Station, and upgrades to the Solana Beach Pump Station.

SUBCOMMITTEE ON LABOR, HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION AND RELATED AGENCIES

Emergency Preparedness and Public Health Management System $1,050,000

With the most traveled international border in the world, a large number of military installations, an international airport, major tourist attractions and an internationally used port, San Diego County is certainly a potential target for terrorism.  In preparation for a bioterrorism attack or an influenza pandemic, it is critical that the County manage available resources effectively.  The Emergency Preparedness and Public Health Management System (EPPHMS) will provide real-time visibility in the day-to-day and emergency management of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, consumable and capital assets, material and human resources, program management and patient tracking.

SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES

Interstate 5 Widening--$5,000,000

According to Caltrans, the busiest segment of Interstate 5 is north of the 1-805 merge where an average of 265,000 vehicles passes a day.  Furthermore, Caltrans estimates that during the next 25 years that number will increase to 350,000.  The 26-mile project will add new managed/ high occupancy vehicle lanes to provide mobility choices for motorists on Interstate 5 in the northern San Diego region.  The project area extends from La Jolla Village Drive (I-5) and Mira Mesa Boulevard (I-805) in San Diego to Vandergrift Boulevard in Oceanside and includes new connectors at State Route 56.  The corridor is critical to both commuters and the movement of goods.  Operational improvements include auxiliary lanes, and local freeway interchange modifications would be added in key locations to improve traffic flow.  Environmental enhancements would be implemented early in the project development process to mitigate corridor highway, transit, and arterial impacts.

Nordahl Bridge Widening at State Route 78--$5,000,000

This proposal seeks to solve a regional infrastructure problem by funding improvements to the Nordahl Road/SR-78 interchange.  Improvements to the interchange will provide a sensible, long-term solution by widening and lengthening the existing overpass bridge structure at Nordahl Road and SR-78 to accommodate capacity improvements planned for SR-78 while also addressing congestion on local streets.  The project is a partnership between the cities of San Marcos and Escondido, and is supported by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and CalTrans.  San Marcos and Escondido both have identified local funding and together seek federal support to complete the proposed project.

Encinitas Boulevard/Interstate 5 Interchange Project Study Report, Project Report, and Environmental Review--$665,000

Unless the City can fund this study, Caltrans will move ahead with an environmental review and design on their “minimum build” alternative for this interchange, which assumes no under crossing widening and some roadway improvements, while maintaining the existing diamond interchange configuration.  Encinitas Boulevard must be widened as part of the North Coast Interstate 5 Corridor (widening) Project or the City will suffer significant traffic congestion at this location by 2030 and probably much sooner.  If the City is to have any hope of later integrating its alternative, we need to keep pace with the Interstate 5 widening project.

Del Dios Highway Roundabouts--$3,680,000

Del Dios Highway is a major artery in North County.  Funding for this project would ease traffic congestion, reduce CO2 emissions and preserve the character of the community.  This project consists of constructing roundabouts at three locations on Del Dios Highway.  Currently Del Dios Highway experiences high traffic volumes and significant queuing during peak hours.  This project will replace the existing stop-controlled intersections with modern urban roundabouts, which will improve the flow of traffic.

Carlsbad Boulevard/Encinas Creek Bridge Replacement for the City of Encinitas--$1,500,000

Funding for this project would be used to replace the existing bridge structure for southbound lanes on Carlsbad Boulevard, which was originally constructed in 1913.  Carlsbad Boulevard is a major North/South transportation roadway in North County, known as Highway 101 in much of San Diego County.  The bridge structure does not meet seismic standards and is close to exceeding its expected service life.  Caltrans has recommended that the bridge be replaced.

Citracado Parkway, West Valley Parkway to Interstate 15--$250,000

The Citracado Parkway Project (West Valley Parkway to Interstate 15) would provide critically needed congestion relief on Interstate 15 and State Route 78 interchange, as well as improve traffic on several arterial roadways in southwest Escondido.

Woodland Parkway/Barnham Drive Interchange--$5,000,000

The proposed project would reduce improve traffic flow at the Woodland Parkway/State Route 78 Interchange.  This interchange is poorly designed and has a high rate of accidents.  It is a primary access point for Cal State San Marcos students and commuters who access the City of San Marcos and nearby Escondido.  The project would widen and realign local connector and arterial streets, a freeway undercrossing, and off-ramps.  

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