 |
| Wilson Seeks Funding for Land Preservation and Critical Tribal Infrastructure Projects |
April 22, 2002 |
| |
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Heather Wilson has submitted a letter to Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Interior Appropriations, Joe Skeen, to request funding for key improvement projects in New Mexico.
“New Mexico is a beautiful land with an exciting history,” said Wilson. “We need to protect our open spaces and treasured landmarks so that they can be enjoyed for years to come. This funding will help facilitate some critical projects that are necessary to maintain the quality of life we enjoy in New Mexico.”
$1.75 million for Price’s Dairy. A critical project in the Albuquerque area with strong support is the transformation of Price’s Dairy to a public open space area for local residents. Transforming this dairy would protect the habitat for migratory waterfowl that fly north and south along the Rio Grande. Located five miles south of downtown Albuquerque, the dairy is easily accessible to approximately 1/3 of the state`s residents (600,000). Albuquerque, is one of the fastest growing communities in the southwest, and the loss of the Rio Grande Valley farmland means a loss of New Mexico unique history and culture.
$8 million for the Santo Domingo Land Claim settlement. On November 1, 2000, Congress approved a comprehensive settlement of various land claims of the Pueblo of Santa Domingo. In the settlement, the Pueblo gave up its claims to approximately 50,000 acres of land claimed by the Pueblo pursuant to Spanish land grants, and around 50,000 acres of aboriginal title lands. A key part of this settlement agreement is that the Santo Domingo Pueblo will receive three successive payments of $5 million each, beginning with FY 2002.
$1.25 million in funding for the Rt. 66 Corridor Protection Program. Before I-40 was completed, Route 66 ran through Albuquerque and was the thoroughfare from East to West. The most spectacular section along that Chicago-L.A. route was located in New Mexico. Currently, a law exists to promote and preserve history all along Route 66, but the National Park Service (NPS) lacks the funds to implement the program.
$3 million for the SIPI Dental Clinic. The Albuquerque Metro Native American Coalition, Inc. and the National Indian Youth Council has advocated for Urban Indian dental care for several years. Dental care for Urban Indians is difficult to obtain and is an acute problem in my district. In order to be fully staffed and provide necessary dental services for Urban Indians, the SIPI Dental Clinic needs federal support.
$3.15 million for the Valle Caldera National Preserve. The National Forest System/Valles Caldera National Preserve and the Valles Caldera Trust is making significant progress this year toward requirements, and beginning to open the Preserve to public activities. The Valles Caldera Trust is charged with the management of the Baca Ranch in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico. This funding will allow the Trust to properly manage the Baca Ranch for the public.
$2.5 million to fund the first phase of the New Mexico Cadastral project. This project will support the development of a current and accurate statewide Global Information System (GIS), assistance with parcel mapping and assessment requirements, providing GIS information to manage Native American lands, environmental monitoring, and land use planning for all land within the State of New Mexico.
$5.5 million for the Digital Orthophotography Project. Orthophotographs are scanned, geometrically corrected images, which can be displayed underneath digital line maps to enhance mapping applications.
$5.648 million for the development of the Baca Pipeline project to meet the current and future needs of the Acoma Pueblos’ domestic water supply.
$ 7 million for the Albuquerque Indian Health Service Hospital.
$750,000 for a Mobile Dental Unit for Native American children.
$6.67 million for the Pueblo of Santa Ana for a multi-purpose recreation and wellness center.
$970,000.00 for Community Infrastructure Improvements to the Pueblo of Sandia.
-END- |
|
|
|