Congressman Hoyer Secures Funds to Clean St. Mary's River and Expand Oyster Restoration Effort in Southern Maryland

Southern Maryland waterways are big benefactors of the Fiscal Year 2001 Labor Health and Human Services Appropriations Conference Report which passed in the House of Representatives late Friday evening, December 15. At the request of Congressman Steny Hoyer, $300,000 for the St. Mary's River Project and $ 350,000 for a new addition to the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomon's Island is included in the Report. It is scheduled to be signed by President Clinton.

St. Mary's River Project, $300,000

St. Mary's County has experienced rapid growth in the last several years, putting a strain on the environment, including the St. Mary's River. In order to combat the environmental hazards, Congressman Hoyer continues to secure funding for this ongoing project. In order to keep the river clean and healthy, baseline data on water quality and streambed erosion is needed. This funding will be used for monitoring sites to help determine the health of the watershed and to ensure the future health of the river. This brings the total funds secured for this project by Congressman Hoyer, to $720,000.

"Managing growth is one of the most important and pressing issues for Southern Maryland and specifically St. Mary's County. With the expansion of the Pax River Naval facility and the growth it has sparked, our area has experience enormous economic benefits. However, we must act responsibly to manage that growth and project the environment, "said Congressman Hoyer. "This project will ensure that our actions do not forever contaminate on of our areas most precious natural resources. I will continue to support this, and other vital projects that will help us leave a legacy of a healthy earth for our children."

Truitt Laboratory at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, $350,000

This funding was requested by the University of Maryland's Center for Environmental Science to support the BayScapes' Habitat Reconstruction Project. It will be used to fund construction of an extension of the Truitt Laboratory, part of the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (CBL) in Solomon's Island. This extension will enable the CBL to supply oyster young and seedling submerged aquatic vegetation (SAVs) to the local Southern Maryland community for restoration and community-based improvement projects. The state of Maryland has indicated an interest in the project and may provide matching funds.

"Restoring the oyster population of Southern Maryland is a task we must undertake. I have worked hard with the local community to foster programs that will help us re-create a once thriving oyster community," said Congressman Hoyer.


Posted: 1-4-2001