October 29, 2009

Interior Funding Bill Goes to President with Alaska Projects

From a Senator Mark Begich press release:

With several provisions and projects assisting Alaska, U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today supported the final passage of the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. The Act authorizes $32.2 billion dollars to fund the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Forest Service. Congressional authorization is $900 million less than requested by the President.

Funding for the Department of the Interior is of particular importance to Alaska as it houses the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Land Management, the Minerals Management Service, the National Park Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, among other agencies.

"Following an ongoing and thorough discussion of the needs of the Interior Department and related agencies I am proud to support this legislation," Begich said. "So many parts of our state are affected by the agencies supported in this bill, and it is vitally important they receive strong funding to ensure proper stewardship of Alaska's lands. The levels of funding laid out for agencies like the Indian Health Service and the National Park Service help strengthen our state and build a better future for our citizens and our lands."

The conference report approved by the House and Senate helps communities and public lands by focusing on five areas:

1. Bolstering our public land management agencies

2. Water infrastructure and environmental protection needs

3. Helping the most vulnerable under the purview of the Bureau of Indian Affairs

4. Protecting public lands through the Land and Water Conservation Fund

5. Firefighting and fuels reduction on Federal lands

Native American and Alaska Native programs received an appropriation of $6.7 billion to support and improve health care, education, public safety and human services. This is an increase of $700 million from FY2009.

Indian Health Service programs experience an increase of $471 million from FY 2009 with a FY2010 allocation of $4.052 billion. This funding will continue and improve critical health services provided the Native Alaskans across the state.

Citing expanded areas for oil and gas leasing in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas the legislation appropriates $6,303,000 to the Mineral Management Service for Oil Spill Research.

The National Park Service will receive $2.2 billion for operation of the national park system, $130 million above 2009. This funding includes money for the new Park Partnership Project Grants Program which will leverage private dollars committed to enhance our national parks.

Environmental Protection Agency Projects Requested by Sen. Begich:

· City of Buckland - Construction of a Piped Water and Sewer System - $500,000;

· City of Kodiak for Water and Sewer Improvements - $300,000;

· City of Soldotna for a Water and Wastewater Improvements Project - $500,000;

· Municipality of Skagway for a Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion Project - $300,000;

· Water Research Foundation - $2 million;

· Rural Community Assistance Partnership Program - $2.5 million.

Forest Service Projects Requested by Sen. Begich:

· Tongass National Forest Timber Pipeline Program - $2.5 million.

Additionally the legislation approves a Continuing Resolution (CR), which allows agencies without congressional appropriations for fiscal year 2010 to continue operating through December 18, 2009. Operations are funded at levels for most programs set in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act and other vehicles of appropriations for fiscal year 2009.