Maryland Waterways Get Big Boost With Passage of House Appropriations Conference Report

Continuing to demonstrate his lifelong dedication to protecting Maryland's waterways, Congressman Steny Hoyer announced that at his request, funding for seven local projects were included in the Fiscal Year 2001 Energy and Water Appropriations Conference Report which passed the House of Representatives today. Included in this funding is $3 million to begin actual reef construction in the Chesapeake Bay as part of a major federal/state partnership.

"The Chesapeake Bay and its local tributaries are not only one of Maryland's greatest natural resources, but it is a national treasure. By funding these projects, the House of Representatives is sending the message to the State of Maryland that investing in the health of our environment is a national priority," said Congressman Hoyer. "Each year thousands of Marylanders make their living from these waters and many others use them for recreational purposes. Keeping the Chesapeake Bay, the Patuxent River and the Anacostia River on their way to healthy recoveries will affect many lives, and I applaud the Congress for recognizing the value they represent to Maryland. I am especially pleased that Congress has appropriated the funding needed to begin the project that will restore the oyster population in the Bay."

The Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration Project is a federal and state partnership which includes both Maryland and Virginia. The project's goal is to achieve a tenfold increase in the oyster population by 2010. Maryland and Virginia have agreed to contribute a combined total of $50 million over the next ten years to restoring oyster habitat. The $3 million appropriated in this bill is part of the federal commitment to this project. Congressman Hoyer secured $2.5 million over the past several years for studies leading up to actual reef construction. The funds will be used to construct reef sanctuaries to restore oyster habitats, improve water quality and create a sustainable fishery.

As the only Maryland House Member on the Appropriations Committee, Congressman Hoyer has taken the lead role in obtaining funding for these projects to boost the environmental and economic health of Maryland's waterways. Many of the projects funded in this year's appropriations conference report are projects with long standing support from Congressman Hoyer.

The Energy and Water Appropriations Conference Report provides funding for the following projects important to the State of Maryland and the health of the Chesapeake Bay:

Lower Potomac River Study: The bill appropriates $250,000 for the Army Corps of engineers to conduct a study designed to address the concerns regarding the erosion, flooding and loss of fish and wildlife habitat along this valuable natural resource. Congressman Hoyer has secured a total of $400,000 for this project over the past two years.

Patuxent River Water Resources Study: The bill appropriates $100,000 for this major Hoyer initiative. The money will be used to continue the study of ways to improve the environmental health of this major waterway into the Chesapeake Bay. The Patuxent River is the longest river entirely within the State of Maryland, flowing through portions of Calvert, Charles, St. Mary's Anne Arundel and Prince George's Counties. Congressman Hoyer has secured a total of $300,000 for this project over the past two years.

Anacostia River Projects: The bill appropriates $500,000 for the Anacostia Federal Watershed Impact Assessment which allows for continued study of the Federal government's environmental effect on the basin. The Federal government owns 15% of the land in the Anacostia watershed and can potentially play a large role in its revitalization efforts. Congressman Hoyer has secured more than 2.5 Million for this project.

The report also appropriates $ 455,000 for the Surveys and Design, and $3.9 million for the Anacostia River and Tributaries Project. As part of the project, the Army Corps of Engineers is constructing a number of jetties, abutments and other means of flood and erosion control aimed at restoring the health of the river and the fish and wildlife habitat in its waters and on its shores. Congressman Hoyer has obtained almost $12.4 million for this project over the last three years.

The conference report, once passed by the U. S. Senate, will then be forwarded to the President for his signature.

Posted: 10-4-2000