Letter to the Honorable Mike Simpson, Chairman, and the Honorable Marcy Kaptur, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy, Water Development and related Agencies - Funding for Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration

Letter

Dear Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Kaptur:

As you prepare your Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations bill, we strongly urge you to provide at least $121 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Investigations account to support ongoing Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration projects and Preconstruction Engineering and Design activities. The President's Fiscal Year 2019 budget only requests $82 million for this overall account, and we have concerns that it does not reflect nor address the scope of funding necessary to complete many project designs.

Aquatic ecosystem restoration is one of the most important aspects of the Corps' mission. Many of our nation's once pristine waterways are damaged and distressed, not only affecting our ecological health, but also those who live in the surrounding areas. By working to restore these neglected ecosystems to their original condition, we can protect our natural resources, promote environmental sustainability, and spur local economic and job growth around these spaces.

From our nation's heartland all the way to Los Angeles, our lands and waters are truly breathtaking. All Americans should have the opportunity to enjoy and take pride in the stewardship of the environment. This includes restoring ecosystems in places where access to nature has been on the decline, like cities and urbanized areas, and where local sponsors are shouldering an outsized cost share because of high land value. With projects like Los Angeles Ecosystem Restoration Project and others that have signed favorable Chief's Reports, a commitment to providing additional funds will reflect the importance of bringing these projects from concept to reality.

As such, we respectfully urge you to provide at least $121 million in funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Fiscal Year 2019 Investigations account including additional support for ongoing aquatic ecosystem restoration projects and Preconstruction Engineering and Design activities. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Source