Van Hollen Helps to Secure Over $230 million in Federal Funding for Maryland Initiatives

Press Release

Bay, Education and Anti-Gang Initiatives Top the List

Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Assistant to the Speaker, announced today the Omnibus Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2009 includes over $230 million in federal funding for important Maryland initiatives he has championed, including significant investments in environmental protections, education reform and anti-gang initiatives.

"I am proud of our work to include over $230 million in federal funding for critical projects in the Washington region and throughout the state of Maryland," said Congressman Van Hollen. "The money in the Omnibus Appropriations Act will go to support important Chesapeake Bay protection and restorations efforts, educational reform initiatives and anti-gang efforts in our community, among other things. Working together, we are tackling the tough issues our region faces and making wise investments in our future."

The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the legislation on Wednesday, with Senate action to follow. A detailed list of provisions is below.

Environmental Projects and Protections

Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration Project - $2,000,000

This funding would continue efforts by the Army Corps of Engineers to design and build oyster reefs in the Chesapeake Bay. Activities include construction of oyster bars and reefs, rehabilitation of existing marginal habitat, and construction of oyster hatcheries.

Agency: Army Corps of Engineers.

Middle Potomac River Watershed, MD, VA, PA, WV & DC Comprehensive Study - $191,000

This study will produce a multi-jurisdictional watershed management approach for the Middle Potomac through watershed planning, protection, and restoration initiatives, including Potomac River sustainable flow assessment.

Northwest Branch Anacostia River, Maryland

Construction of stream restoration projects in Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River watershed in accordance with Project Cost Share Agreement between the Corps of Engineers and Montgomery County, Maryland.

Anacostia River and Tributaries Watershed Restoration Plan - $525,000

Watershed feasibility study to compile existing watershed data, identify degraded stream conditions in the Anacostia River and identify potential problem solutions. The study will identify problem areas including unstable and eroding stream banks, poor fish habitat and fish blockages, and poor stream buffer conditions (lack of forests and wetlands along the stream). The problems will be ranked and potential solutions identified. The resulting inventory of potential restoration projects will be implemented by the Corps of Engineers and/or Montgomery County, Prince Georges County and the District of Columbia.

Middle Potomac Watershed, Great Seneca Creek and Muddy Branch, MD - $430,000

Watershed feasibility study to identify degraded stream conditions in Great Seneca Creek and Muddy Branch and the feasibility of corrective solutions. The study will identify problem areas including unstable and eroding stream banks, poor fish habitat, and poor stream buffer conditions (lack of forests and wetlands along the stream). The problems will be ranked and potential solutions identified. The highest ranked group of projects will have concept designs developed and the feasibility of the potential projects evaluated. The resulting inventory of potential restoration projects will be implemented by the Corps of Engineers and/or Montgomery County.

Anacostia River and Tributaries, MD and DC-Phase I - $30,000

A 1991 reconnaissance report conducted by the Corps determined that Federal actions related to navigation and flood control directly degraded more that 2,600 acres of wetland, 500 acres of aquatic habitat, and 800 acres of bottomland hardwoods. Subsequently, a feasibility study was conducted and completed in 1994 and recommended 13 sites for environmental restoration. Construction has been completed at 10 of these sites, and project sponsors have decided not to pursue two of the sites. FY09 optimum funding of $30K, the project final accounting will be completed.

The Anaerobic Digester and Combined Heat Power Project - $570,900

The purpose of this study is to determine the technical and economic feasibility of adding anaerobic digestion and combined heat power (CHP) to the Seneca and Piscataway Wastewater Treatment Plants. Anaerobic digestion is a biological process that uses wastewater treatment bi-products to produce gas principally composed of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), otherwise known as biogas. The biogas, in turn, serves as the fuel source to operate a CHP fuel cell that produces clean, renewable electricity.

Anaerobic digestion reduces biosolids production, greenhouse gases, air emissions, and power purchases. Anaerobic digestion is a proven clean technology that can generate enough power overtime to supply the adjacent wastewater treatment facilities. Current anaerobic digester technology produces efficient digestion in an airtight environment, which eliminates the odor concerns associated with older facilities.

The introduction of this technology will reduce operation and energy costs on WSSC customers, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce the production of biosolids. WSSC estimates the installation of CHP at both wastewater treatment plants will result in annual savings of $2,000,000 per year in energy costs. The study will also evaluate whether fats, oils and greases (FOG) can be utilized as a fuel source for CHP as well. FOG can cause ruptures in sewer pipes when it is improperly disposed of, and is a leading cause of sanitary sewer overflows.

Blue Crab Research - $50,000

This program funds research and aquaculture for restoring the blue crab. The Blue Crab Advanced Research Consortium was created to address the sharp decline in Blue Crab harvests in the Chesapeake Bay. This research includes studying crab harvests in the Chesapeake, blue crab biology, hatchery technology, and develops overall knowledge on management of the fishery.

Oyster Restoration, Maryland and Virginia - $4,600,000

This program would fund native oyster restoration in both the Maryland and Virginia portions of the Chesapeake Bay. The development of native oyster aquaculture is critical to a viable commercial oyster industry in the Chesapeake Bay. Appropriations were significantly cut in FY 2008, with Maryland receiving only a portion of previous funds and Virginia receiving no funding.

Trawl Survey - $150,000

This survey, completed at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, provides the longest time series of fisheries monitoring data in the Chesapeake Bay. Data from this effort are used by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and other fisheries managers to assess fishery resources in the Bay.

NRCS Chesapeake Bay Activities - $3,998,000

Since 2003, the Ag Appropriations bill has included an earmark for the Chesapeake Bay (MD). Although this earmark has previously not been in addition to state funds, the Task Force encourages the committee to make this request additive. This funding is requested to be used to enhance the administration of the Chesapeake Bay program rather than as an offset to Bay Conservation funding that is derived from mandatory accounts.

Agro-Ecology and Chesapeake Bay Agro-Ecology Research - $499,000

This project will fund research that specifically addresses the recommendations contained in Maryland's 2006 Statewide Strategic Plan for Agricultural Policy and Resource Management and Maryland's Strategic Forest Resource Plan 2006 — Ensuring a Sustainable Forest Future. The research will implement the two strategic plans for forestry and agriculture in Maryland; advance the knowledge base for agriculture and forestry crops and products; and improve practices and assess the impact that these working lands have on improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

Education

The George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy, Inc (GBTLA) - $190,000

The funds will be used to maintain services at two GBTLA Saturday School sites and expand the services of the high school after-school program by opening two additional sites.

Meaningful Opportunities for Successful Transitions (MOST) Program - $143,000

The Meaningful Opportunities for Successful Transitions (MOST) program would provide at-risk young adults with developmental disabilities with critical additional training, competence development, and evaluation to successfully transition from special educational programs provided through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), from which they have aged-out, into the adult day and vocational programming available at the community level.

Middle School Magnet Consortium - $143,000

This initiative enables Montgomery County to sustain high quality magnet programs in three middle schools and allows middle schools in other parts of the county to offer magnet courses.

Public Safety and Anti-Gang Initiatives

Up County Youth Opportunity Center - $450,000

The Up County Youth Opportunity Center will provide gang prevention and gang intervention services to at-risk youth and their families.

Centralized Gang Investigation Unit - $200,000

This funding would assist Montgomery County's Police Department with implementing a second full-time gang suppression unit and funding agency-wide suppression initiatives while simultaneously coordinating prevention and intervention programs in concert with its governmental and NGA partners.

Public Safety Equipment for Anti-Gang Initiative - $75,000

This project would provide funding for computer-based license plate tag readers which will allow the City of Gaithersburg Police Department to maximize its effectiveness, improve interoperability capabilities, and bolster efforts to combat continued gang activity in the City.

Latino Youth Gang Prevention Project - $200,000

This project will support a public service media campaign that targets residents in Southern Maryland with gang prevention messages. It will connect Latino youth with local after-school programs and youth services across the National Capital Region, and it will engage Spanish-speaking families in anti-gang efforts.

Police Technology Upgrade Project - $325,000

This funding will be used to purchase and install new communications equipment and police technology for the Rockville Police Department. Rockville will be moving its police headquarters into a new, larger facility to accommodate their police force as it expands to meet Rockville's increasing population. Upgrading their police technology is a key component of this project.

Center for Adoption Support and Education Expansion Project - $250,000

This project will provide adopted children and families from Maryland greater access to critical post-adoption services -- such as individual and family counseling; support groups for children and parents; and education and training programs and materials.

Additional Programs

Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site Museum - $100,000

In 2006, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) purchased the only structure in the United States associated with the slave life of the Rev. Josiah Henson. Henson's autobiography was the inspiration for Harriet Beecher Stowe's seminal work, Uncle Tom's Cabin. M-NCPPC intends to open a museum in the building by 2012 and seeks funding for this purpose. I certify that neither I nor my spouse has any financial interest in this project.

City of Rockville Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project - $500,000

This project will address inflow and infiltration issues without unnecessarily expanding Rockville's sewer system. This project will reduce the capacity needs of both Rockville's sewer lines and the Blueplains Wastewater Treatment Plant, an important part of becoming a sustainable community.

Prince George's County Expansion of Dental Services - $476,000

The Prince George's County Health Department has a critical need for funding to provide comprehensive dental services to uninsured and underinsured elementary age children in Prince George's County. The Health Department's existing dental services must be expanded to provide a full range of dental services, including preventive and diagnostic examinations to children at the greatest risk of untreated oral disease in inner-beltway elementary schools.

BRAC-Related Improvements in Montgomery County - $3,087,500

The funding would be used to improve the MD 355 Corridor by enhancing safety, operations, and access to Bethesda Naval Hospital and associated BRAC-related activities.

Takoma Park Community Center - $190,000

This project would fund completion of Takoma Park's Community Center, including construction of a gymnasium, renovation of an auditorium for ADA access, and completion of the exterior façade.

Colmar Manor Community Center - $285,000

The Town of Colmar Manor plans to build a vibrant, state-of-the-art, multi-use Community Center that will accommodate Colmar Manor's needs and the needs of the surrounding Port Towns low- to moderate-income multi-cultural residential, consumer and tourist base. The new facility will provide recreational opportunities including a regulation basketball court, fitness and game room, computer lab, senior outreach center, jogging track and a multi-purpose room with a large seating capacity.

WMATA Bicycle to Rails Enhancement Initiative - $475,000

This initiative will fund replacement of bicycle lockers located at rail stations in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia that are damaged or will soon reach the end of their useful lives with lockers that offer more security for the user, as well as a see-through feature that allows law enforcement personnel to check contents visually without actually opening the locker. While most users of the Metrorail system arrive at stations on buses or in automobiles, increasing numbers of WMATA's customers find that bicycling to a Metro station is not only convenient, but offers an environmentally responsible way to commute that further contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gases.

Statewide Locally Operated Transit Systems (LOTS) - $1,900,000

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) administers these funds to expand fleets, replace aged vehicles, and enhance bus maintenance facilities in support of locally operated transit systems throughout the State of Maryland.

MARC Improvements - $13,000,000

This funding will support passenger car acquisition; overnight storage expansion in Baltimore; BWI Airport Station reconstruction ; and expanded parking at three existing stations.

Washington DC/MD-Largo Metrorail Extension - $34,700,000

Funding for 52 of a total 122 rail cars plus related traction power upgrades--equal to $104 million in federal funds--is authorized under sections 3043(a)(31) and 3043(j) of SAFETEA-LU through an executed amendment to the Largo Metrorail Extension Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA). The requested $34.7 million is included in the President's FY08 budget.

Food and Drug Administration Consolidation - $163,530,000

This funding will support construction of two critically needed laboratories for FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER). Together, these laboratories are essential in enabling CBER to adequately carry out its national security responsibilities for prevention of bioterrorism. They will replace and consolidate five laboratory buildings currently used by FDA, which are overcrowded and outmoded. The new facilities will greatly enhance CBER's ability to prevent and treat bioterrorism agents such as anthrax, smallpox, tularemia, and plague.

Germantown Biotechnology Project - $165,072

The State of Maryland, Montgomery County, Montgomery College, the Montgomery College Foundation, and charitable donors have joined together to sponsor and develop the Germantown Biotechnology Project. Located on the Montgomery College Campus in Germantown, MD, the project will create a continuum of bioscience and technology research, education and training. The Project encompasses several interrelated initiatives that are tied together through a unique approach to bioscience education and workforce development, including a new Bioscience Center and related technology incubator.

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