31/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 31/07/2024 21:48
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (both D-Md. ) and Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies announced the inclusion of $12,900,000 in key Senate Committee legislation providing direct federal funding for community-led projects throughout Maryland. These community projects, funded at the Senators' request, are within the Senate Appropriations Interior and Environment Subcommittee's proposed funding legislation for fiscal year 2025. The projects support improving water infrastructure for Marylanders, preserving local historic sites, driving economic development, and more. Additionally, the Senators worked to continue funding for key initiatives supporting Chesapeake Bay restoration, including the Chesapeake Bay Program, the National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways Network, and the Chesapeake WILD program - which was created by bipartisan legislation authored by Senator Van Hollen and co-sponsored by Senator Cardin. This subcommittee legislation, released as part of the annual Congressional Appropriations process and approved Thursday in a bipartisan vote by the full Senate Appropriations Committee, will proceed to consideration before the full Senate. Funding is not finalized until the Appropriations bills are passed by the full Senate, reconciled with the House of Representatives, and signed by the President.
"The conservation and preservation of Maryland's critical resources is always a top priority. Investing in projects to upgrade our water infrastructure, protect the health of the Chesapeake Bay and broader environment and fulfill longstanding needs for historic, recreational and economic development projects make more connected, resilient and sustainable communities for generations to come," said Senator Cardin. "We're continuing our ongoing effort to bring new federal resources back to Maryland and maximize the use of taxpayer dollars in the most meaningful way for our communities."
"When we invest federal dollars in our communities, we're able to directly support local priorities. These funds will empower our community partners to update our water infrastructure, improving Marylanders' access to clean water. We also worked to secure funds for the preservation of important historical sites across our state, ensuring Marylanders and visitors alike can enjoy these treasures for years to come, while in turn supporting local economies. In addition to our community projects, this bill includes critical funding to protect Maryland's greatest natural treasure - the Chesapeake Bay - and safeguard our environment for all. We'll keep working to deliver these investments to build an even stronger Maryland for all," said Senator Van Hollen.
These projects were included in the Senate Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies FY2025 funding legislation.
Project Name: Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority for Sediment Testing and Remediation
Applicant: Canal Place Preservation & Development Authority (CPPDA)
Project Purpose: Funds will be used to conduct sediment analysis of areas above and below the Cumberland Dam in order to determine if contamination is present before the possible removal of the dam.
Project Location: Allegany County
Amount Included: $500,000
Project Name: City of Westminster for Advanced Water Purification System
Applicant: City of Westminster
Project Purpose: Funds will be used to support the first indirect water reuse facility in Maryland. Located in the City of Westminster, this facility will provide an additional 1 million gallons of water service to 38,000 users within Carroll County, which has experienced drought conditions over the past 20 years.
Project Location: Carroll County
Amount Included: $2,900,000
Project Name: Easton Utilities Commission for Pump Station Enhancement
Applicant: Easton Utilities Commission
Project Purpose: Funds will be used to relocate the sewage treatment facilities out of flood-prone areas and make upgrades to eliminate the immediate threat of sewage overflow into the Chesapeake Bay during storm events and ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of the region's water quality.
Project Location: Talbot County
Amount Included: $2,868,000
Project Name: Garrett County Sanitary District for Gorman Water Source Project
Applicant: Garrett County Sanitary District, Inc.
Project Purpose: Funds will be used to provide water source redundancy with a new production well to replace the previous well that collapsed.
Project Location: Garrett County
Amount Included: $854,000
Project Name: Garrett Park Town Hall
Applicant: Town of Garrett Park
Project Purpose: Funds will be used to renovate the historic Garrett Park Town Hall to restore the historic character and make it ADA-accessible. The Town Hall is used for community events and meetings.
Project Location: Montgomery County
Amount Included: $500,000
Project Name: Historic Grounds Restoration at President Lincoln's Cottage
Applicant: President Lincoln's Cottage
Project Purpose: Funds will be used to restore the historic grounds of President Lincoln's Cottage. This project will build on investments already made and enhance this important presidential site ahead of the United States semi-quincentennial in 2026.
Project Location: Washington, D.C.
Amount Included: $325,000
Project Name: Howard County for Storm Water Management
Applicant: Howard County Government
Project Purpose: Funds will be used to design a new parking lot to reduce impervious surface area and treat and retain stormwater to prevent flooding which affects residents, businesses, and visitors.
Project Location: Howard County
Amount Included: $1,500,000
Project Name: Mount Clare Museum
Applicant: Mount Clare Museum
Project Purpose: Funds will be used for exterior restoration and repair work at the Mount Clare Museum site, an 18th-century industrial plantation in Baltimore. Mount Clare was home to the Carroll family and more than 200 enslaved servants, laborers, and artisans who built and sustained the property.
Project Location: Baltimore City
Amount Included: $161,000
Project Name: Prince George's County for Flood Forecasting Tool
Applicant: Prince George's County Government
Project Purpose: Funds will be used to expand the capabilities of the County's flood warning system to automate flood inundation forecasts utilizing real-time rain and water level data, rainfall predictions, and historical flooding patterns.
Project Location: Prince George's County
Amount Included: $500,000
Project Name: Revitalization and Restoration of the North and South Park Squares of Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore City
Applicant: Mount Vernon Place Conservancy, Inc.
Project Purpose: Funds will be used to support the restoration of Mount Vernon Place, the site of Baltimore's Washington Monument and home to community events like Flower Mart and the Summer in the Square music program.
Project Location: Baltimore City
Amount Included: $500,000
Project Name: S.S. John W. Brown Educational Museum Improvements
Applicant: Project Liberty Ship, Inc. / S.S. John W. Brown
Project Purpose: The S.S. John W. Brown is one of the last two surviving World War II Liberty Ships still in operation and today it serves as a museum and educational site. Funds will be used to upgrade the air compressor system to be more reliable and environmentally-friendly.
Project Location: Baltimore City
Amount Included: $112,000
Project Name: Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse
Applicant: Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse
Project Purpose: Funds will be used to restore and repair the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse, an iconic landmark in the Chesapeake Bay that will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2025.
Project Location: Annapolis, Maryland
Amount Included: $73,000
Project Name: Town of Greensboro for Regional Wastewater System Expansion
Applicant: Town of Greensboro
Project Purpose: Funds will be used to facilitate enhanced nitrogen removal processes in the regional wastewater system that serves towns in northern Caroline County.
Project Location: Caroline County
Amount Included: $1,566,000
Project Name: Town of Princess Anne for Somerset Landing Storm Drainage
Applicant: Town of Princess Anne
Project Purpose: Funds will be used to repair or replace ineffective culverts and storm drain infrastructure to minimize impacts of future flooding incidents.
Project Location: Somerset County
Amount Included: $541,000
Additional priorities secured by the Senators in the FY25 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies funding bill include:
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