July 25, 2003 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma) secured $200,000 to preserve the natural beauty and protect the local economy of the Tomales Bay. The money was secured in the FY04 Department of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development (VA-HUD) Appropriations bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives. “Once again, Congresswoman Woolsey has helped preserve a national treasure, Tomales Bay, while also assisting a small community working hard to be environmentally responsible with their wastewater,” said Marin County Supervisor Steve Kinsey. “Tomales Bay provides a unique environment to many endangered species of plants and animals and to a thriving commercial shellfishing industry,” said Rep. Woolsey. “But all that is at risk due to faulty septic systems. These funds will assist in repairing the wastewater systems to protect the water quality in the bay.” As part of the Farallon Islands National Marine Sanctuary, Tomales Bay is a major resource and tourist attraction in Marin County and attracts about two million visitors each year. The water quality in the Bay is critical to supporting recreation as well as shellfish harvesting. But, the Bay is also threatened by faulty and outdated septic systems. Poor water quality has caused the commercial shellfishing operation to be listed as “threatened” by the State. In 1998, an outbreak of a viral pathogen resulted in 177 people falling ill after eating local oysters. Marin County conducted a risk assessment in April 2001 to identify the septic systems that posed the greatest threat to water quality. The study showed that over 40% of the septic systems along the Bay performed marginally or not at all. To assist in completing the needed repairs and upgrades to the existing on-site septic systems in Tomales Bay, Rep. Woolsey secured $225,000 in the FY 03 VA-HUD Appropriations bill and $200,000 in 04 VA-HUD appropriations funding. This $200,000 to protect the Tomales Bay is in addition to the $225,000 for the Donald and Maureen Green Music Center that Rep. Woolsey secured in the House FY04 VA-HUD Appropriations bill. After the Senate version of the VA-HUD Appropriations bill is passed, the two bills will be reconciled in conference committee before a final version is approved.