For Release: Thursday, October 19, 2000
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661
WASHINGTON - The US House of Representatives today approved funding for the Veterans Administration, Housing and Urban Development and Energy and Water initiatives. The approved bill included over $7 million for water control projects in the 12th Congressional District, funding requested by US Representative Jerry Costello (D-IL), to help local communities plan for and deal with recurrent flooding and sewer control as well as a $1.3 billion increase for veterans medical care.
"These projects are aimed at providing relief to the many communities in Southwestern Illinois with problems from storm water runoff and other flooding throughout the year," said Costello, a member of the House Water Resources Subcommittee. "Our goal has been and continues to be the development of solutions which will bring relief to home and business owners in our area."
Funding included in the FY2001 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill includes:
* $150,000 for East St. Louis and Vicinity Interior Flood Control. From 1993-1996, this area received a national disaster declaration. The study will determine federal interest in reducing urban flood damages.
* $310,000 for Wood River Levee (Survey). New industrial development has led the Corps to study ways to prevent future flooding , including new pump stations.
* $2.1 million for Chain of Rocks, Madison Co., (Construction). During the flood of 1993, deficiencies were discovered in the federal levee along the Chain of Rocks Canal. This funding will allow the Corps to do final repairs to relief wells and ditches.
* $265,000 for St. Louis Harbor (PED). This study will investigate harbor improvements for the Port of Metropolitan St. Louis, which currently is seen as having inadequate commercial harbor facilities and severe sedimentation problems in the harbor.
* $2.081million for Kaskaskia River Navigation (Operation and Maintenance). This is a low volume lock and dam; funds to be used for operation and maintenance of lock and dam, as well as for a study to investigate automation and remote control operations.
* $1.4 million for Mel Price Lock and Dam (Construction). Project includes a 1,200 foot main lock, a 600 foot auxiliary lock, a new dam and partial removal of the old dam, as well as the Mel Price Visitors Center.
*$900,000 for East St. Louis - Canteen Creek (Construction). This funding will rehabilitate levees and flood walls, closure structures, gravity drains, pumping stations and drainage ditches.
Funding included in the FY2001 VA/HUD Appropriations Bill included appropriations for veterans and housing programs. "I am pleased that the combined funding bill includes $20.3 billion, an increase of $1.4 billion, to provide much-needed services to provide medical care for our nation's veterans" said Costello.
The funding was approved by the full House of Representatives. The bill will now go to the Senate where it is expected to be approved and then signed into law by President Clinton.
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