Environmental Funding for NOVA Lined up in Omnibus

Washington, D.C., December 20th – Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat and senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, included a number of environmentally related projects in the FY’08 Omnibus Appropriations bill (HR 2764).  Congress approved the Omnibus bill earlier this week.  The bill was sent to President Bush’s desk and he has indicated he will sign it into law.

“Significant funding to improve the quality of our local streams, rivers, bays and the air we breathe was included in the omnibus,” said Moran.  “Our natural resources must be protected, but doing so comes with a price tag.  The health of our environment is a Democratic priority and that was reflected in this legislation.”

• $31 million for the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Restoration Program
• Continues a moratorium on oil and gas drilling off-shore of the East and West U.S. coastlines.
• A study of the health effects of trona, a naturally found mineral used by Mirant’s
  Potomac River in its pollution mitigation strategy.  The only studies to date were conducted by industry and have determined that among a list of potential health hazards, repeated exposure can cause silicosis (a progressive lung disease) and possibly cancer, as stated on the website of Solvay Chemicals, the sole producer of refined trona in the U.S.  Under a section titled environmental precautions, it also states "Should not be released into the environment." 
  
  Mirant’s Potomac River Power Plant began using trona to reduce their output of harmful pollutants in 2005 after they were found to be in violation of National Ambient Air Quality Standards SO2 (sulfur dioxide), PM10 (particulate matter) and NOx (nitrogen dioxide).
• $1 million for the Four Mile Run project, a joint venture with the City of Alexandria and Arlington County to transform the current urbanized cement stream channel into a natural stream that can be used for wildlife habitat and local recreation.  The appropriation includes funding to complete the environmental study for the project.
• $984,000 for NatureServe, a national non-profit conservation organization whose mission is to provide the scientific basis for effective conservation action. NatureServe and its network of natural heritage programs are the leading source for information about rare and endangered species and threatened ecosystems.
• $689,000 for Fairfax County to restore a 2,500 foot segment of the Indian Run watershed between Edsall Road and Bren Mar Drive.  The funds would also go towards developing a separate management plan for a 370 acre watershed in the Falls Hill and Poplar Heights communities.
• $492,000 to continue a Mid-Potomac River study on environmental restoration options along the Cameron Run/Holmes Run watershed.
• $357,000 to the Audubon at Home program which assists homeowners in the design of their properties in a more wildlife and plant life friendly way. Several public garden demonstration sites in Northern Virginia are planned along with the development of a national, web-based information center.
• $282,000 for the Earth Conservation Corps to expand its nationally recognized River of Hope program which provides unemployed youth from Anacostia, D.C. neighborhoods an opportunity to gain job skills while working on restoration projects along the Anacostia River.
• $98,000 to continue assistance for a quad-state (Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania) comprehensive Potomac River tributaries study.
• $98,000 to renovate the Lee-Fendall House. The Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden is owned and operated by the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation. The Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation is a public, non-profit educational institution whose mission is to preserve the architectural and historic value of the Lee-Fendall House and gardens, to stimulate the public's knowledge of and appreciation for the history of Virginia and the nation, and to advance the cause of historic preservation.
• $49,000 to upgrade and ensure ADA compliance for the historic Gadsby’s Tavern in Alexandria.  Operated by John Gadsby between 1796 and 1808, the tavern and hotel were the settings for political, business and social life in early Alexandria.  George Washington enjoyed the hospitality provided by tavern keepers and twice attended the annual Birthnight Ball held in his honor.  Other prominent patrons included John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and the Marquis de Lafayette. 

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