REP. SALAZAR ANNOUNCES “OMNIBUS” APPROPRIATIONS VOTE EXPECTED LATE TONIGHT

Important Priorities for Southwest Colorado Included – U.S. 491, La Plata County Health Clinic, Ophir Valley

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman John Salazar announced that the U.S. House is likely to pass H.R. 2764 – The Foreign Operations Appropriations/Consolidated Appropriations bill.

This legislation provides funding for the 11 remaining fiscal 2008 appropriations bills. The bill also includes $31 billion in funding which can only be used in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and troop protection. Earlier in the year the president requested that Congress appropriate an additional $200 billion for the war in Iraq.

“I am pleased that Congress is finally bringing the 2008 appropriations process to a close and to announce the inclusion of critical priorities for Southwest Colorado,” Rep. Salazar said.

Funding secured by Congressman Salazar include:

La Plata County Health Clinic

Among items included in this funding bill is a $292,000 appropriation to be used by the Mercy Health Foundation of Durango for construction and equipment in a new 50,000 square foot community health clinic. The clinic will be used to provide primary care to residents of the Durango area. Durango and La Plata County suffer from a severe shortage of healthcare professionals, and recently Congressman Salazar successfully led La Plata county through the designation process to become a Health Professional Shortage Area. This designation may allow physicians to receive a higher rate of reimbursement when providing care to Medicare beneficiaries.

Animas La Plata Project

The FY 2008 Appropriations includes $60,393,000 to continue work on the Animas La Plata Project. Originally, the president in his annual budget requested only 58 Million for ALP, which doesn’t reach the full funding levels requested annually, and as a result raises the overall total cost. By fully funding the project each year, it can be built more efficiently with crews and all equipment being fully utilized on the site. Also, with rising costs of project materials including steel, fuel, and concrete, full funding is more effective and saves taxpayers money in the long run.

ALP is needed to implement the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Final Settlement Agreement providing final settlement of water right claims for both the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes. The project will also provide water for the city of Durango as well as other entities.

Ophir Valley

In order to purchase old mining claims near the town of Ophir, the FY08 Appropriations bill includes $1,000,000 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for land acquisition in the Ophir Valley in San Miguel County. Local residents want to see the old mining claims purchased to protect critical wildlife habitat, maintain recreational access on public lands, protect water quality, and help maintain the quality of life in the Ophir Valley. The owner of the property in the Ophir Valley, the Pauls family has worked with the Trust for Public land, local elected officials, Rep. Salazar and other members of the Colorado Congressional Delegation to make this project come together.

US 491

US 491 provides access to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Land, Mesa Verde National Park, Hovenweep National Monument, and Anasazi Heritage Center, and connects Coloradans to the Four Corners Region. Funds will also be used to make the narrow and sometimes dangerous road safer. US 491 will receive $1,000,000 in FY 2008.

After House passage, the consolidated appropriations bill will move to the U.S. Senate for approval.

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	For immediate release: December 17, 2007
	Contact: (202) 225-4761 Eric Wortman, Communications Director Rick Palacio, Deputy Communications Director
	REP. SALAZAR ANNOUNCES “OMNIBUS” APPROPRIATIONS VOTE EXPECTED LATE TONIGHT
	Important Priorities for Southwest Colorado Included – U.S. 491, La Plata County Health Clinic, Ophir Valley WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman John Salazar announced that the U.S. House is likely to pass H.R. 2764 – The *Foreign Operations Appropriations/Consolidated Appropriations* bill. This legislation provides funding for the 11 remaining fiscal 2008 appropriations bills. The bill also includes $31 billion in funding which can only be used in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and troop protection. Earlier in the year the president requested that Congress appropriate an additional $200 billion for the war in Iraq. “I am pleased that Congress is finally bringing the 2008 appropriations process to a close and to announce the inclusion of critical priorities for Southwest Colorado,” Rep. Salazar said. Funding secured by Congressman Salazar include: *La Plata County Health Clinic* Among items included in this funding bill is a $292,000 appropriation to be used by the Mercy Health Foundation of Durango for construction and equipment in a new 50,000 square foot community health clinic. The clinic will be used to provide primary care to residents of the Durango area. Durango and La Plata County suffer from a severe shortage of healthcare professionals, and recently Congressman Salazar successfully led La Plata county through the designation process to become a Health Professional Shortage Area. This designation may allow physicians to receive a higher rate of reimbursement when providing care to Medicare beneficiaries. *Animas La Plata Project* The FY 2008 Appropriations includes $60,393,000 to continue work on the Animas La Plata Project. Originally, the president in his annual budget requested only 58 Million for ALP, which doesn’t reach the full funding levels requested annually, and as a result raises the overall total cost. By fully funding the project each year, it can be built more efficiently with crews and all equipment being fully utilized on the site. Also, with rising costs of project materials including steel, fuel, and concrete, full funding is more effective and saves taxpayers money in the long run. ALP is needed to implement the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Final Settlement Agreement providing final settlement of water right claims for both the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes. The project will also provide water for the city of Durango as well as other entities. *Ophir Valley* In order to purchase old mining claims near the town of Ophir, the FY08 Appropriations bill includes $1,000,000 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for land acquisition in the Ophir Valley in San Miguel County. Local residents want to see the old mining claims purchased to protect critical wildlife habitat, maintain recreational access on public lands, protect water quality, and help maintain the quality of life in the Ophir Valley. The owner of the property in the Ophir Valley, the Pauls family has worked with the Trust for Public land, local elected officials, Rep. Salazar and other members of the Colorado Congressional Delegation to make this project come together. *US 491* US 491 provides access to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Land, Mesa Verde National Park, Hovenweep National Monument, and Anasazi Heritage Center, and connects Coloradans to the Four Corners Region. Funds will also be used to make the narrow and sometimes dangerous road safer. US 491 will receive $1,000,000 in FY 2008. After House passage, the consolidated appropriations bill will move to the U.S. Senate for approval.
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