(Washington, DC) - Today, U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-4), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, condemned President Bush's veto of the Water Resources Development Act (H.R. 1495) that included $90 million for flood prevention and control measures in Allegheny County.

"The president's veto denies western Pennsylvania's communities with critical funding to plan for and prepare for future flooding," said Congressman Altmire. "Local homeowners and small business owners were drenched this year by steady rain and high water levels.  Many lives were permanently altered.  This bill would initiate long overdue upgrades to ensure that communities, including Millvale and Etna, are spared future devastation."

"We are disappointed the Water Resources Development bill has been vetoed," said Barbara McNees, President of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce.  "The region has been waiting since 2000 for the authorizations on many critical infrastructure projects and the ability this legislation contained to have the Army Corps of Engineers begin a flood plain plan for the region.  Given the many incidents of flooding we see that now occur with even limited rainfall, this bill is critical to our region."

The Water Resources Development Act would authorize $90 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to construct flood prevention measures in Millvale, located in the Girty's Run River basin, and in Etna, located in the Pine Creek watershed.  These efforts would include structural flood control, streambank protection, stormwater management, and channel clearing projects.

The Water Resources Development Act would also direct the Army Corps of Engineers to plan for effective flood control measures in the entire Allegheny and Upper Ohio River basins. This effort would encompass the complete watershed area and would require coordination measures to ensure upstream development does not adversely impact downstream communities.  Priority communities include, but are not limited to, Ross Township, Shaler Township, Tarentum Borough, and East Deer Township.

"Since 2000, Congress has failed to act and pass a flood protection bill.  It's absurd that nothing has been done on this issue since then, particularly after Hurricane Ivan ravaged many of our communities," added Congressman Altmire.  "I will work with my colleagues to override the president's veto and enact this bill into law."