Letter to Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Chair of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee and Rep. Mike Simpson, Ranking Member of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee - Schiff, Roybal-Allard, Gomez, and 12 LA Congressional Members Urge Funding for Los Angeles River Restoration

Letter

Dear Chairwoman Kaptur and Ranking Member Simpson:

As you prepare your fiscal year 2020 appropriations bill, we urge you to provide at least $130 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Investigations account and $2.6 billion for its Construction account.

As you know, the Investigation account supports crucial Preconstruction Engineering and Design (PED) activities for ongoing aquatic ecosystem restoration projects. The Construction account funds project implementation and stormwater management in partnership with state and local governments, as well as innovative public-private funding partnerships that can help accelerate infrastructure improvements. Yet the President's budget request for fiscal year 2020 includes only $77 million for Investigations and $1.17 billion for Construction, which is not enough to support this ongoing and much-needed work.

Aquatic ecosystem restoration is one of the most important aspects of the Corps' mission. Many of our nation's once pristine waterways are now damaged and distressed, to the detriment of the ecosystems and residents nearby. Restoring these neglected ecosystems to their original condition will help protect our natural resources, promote environmental sustainability, and spur local economic growth and new jobs around these spaces.

From our nation's heartland to the coast of California, our lands and waters are truly breathtaking. All Americans should 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 the Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration Project and others that have signed favorable Chief's Reports, providing adequate funding for these critical accounts will reflect the importance of bringing these projects from concept to reality.

Accordingly, we request that you provide at least $130 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Investigations account and $2.6 billion for its Construction account for fiscal year 2020 to provide support for aquatic ecosystem restoration projects nationwide, including the Los Angeles River.

Thank you for your consideration of our request.

Sincerely,

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