posted June 25, 2003
Congressman Zach Wamp (R-TN) has secured funding in the 2004 Interior spending bill for a number of area projects, including $500,000 for bank stabilization at historic Moccasin Bend, his office said.
The list also includes energy efficiency and energy conservation programs at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and improvements to the Cherokee National Forest, it was stated.
The Appropriations Committee, on which Rep. Wamp has served for the last seven years, met on Wednesday to write and pass the bill.
"While the overall amount for this year's Interior Appropriations bill is lower than I would have preferred, I have made a compelling case to the Committee for Tennessee's priorities. Our state fared well in comparison to other parts of the country," said Rep. Wamp.
The following is a list of projects that are included in the 2004 Interior spending bill that benefit the state of Tennessee:
*$111.4 million for energy efficiency and energy conservation programs at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This amount represents an increase of $24.6 million over the Administration's Budget request and a slight increase over last year's funding. These programs include research in areas such as combustion and emissions control, energy efficient appliances and refrigeration technology.
*$425,000 for Phase I of the new construction of the Chilhowee Recreation Area in the Cherokee National Forest (CNF). Chilhowee, located in the Ocoee/Hiwassee Ranger District in Polk County, is one of the most heavily utilized recreational sites and campgrounds in the CNF. Phase I of construction will include paving new roads and improving the wastewater system as well as completing campground loops C and D. $249,000 was included in the Interior spending bill for Phase II of construction that would complete loops E and F. This is area is specifically designed for large RV's and will include electric and water hookups. "Since loops E and F are next to Loops C and D, it was recommended that Phase I and II be built at the same time," said Wamp. "The simultaneous construction will also provide substantial savings to taxpayers."
$500,000 to begin bank stabilization at the Moccasin Bend National Archeological District in Chattanooga. Continued erosion of the shoreline along the Tennessee River threatens the important archeological and cultural resources of the Bend. This amount represents the first phase of a multi-year initiative.
*$1 million for the Forest Legacy program to purchase 1,600 acres of the Rugby tract in Morgan County. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will manage this important land as a Wildlife Management Area.
*$3.8 million for the Advanced National Seismic Systems (ANSS). ANSS is a national coordinated effort by the US Geological Survey dedicated to researching and understanding earthquakes and the dangers associated with them. According to Wamp, a portion of this funding will go to the University of Memphis' Earthquake Center.
*$2 million is provided for the National Biological Infrastructure Initiative's (NBII) Southern Appalachian Tennessee Node. The mission of NBII is to systematically organize, access and display biological information and to have this data readily available. Partners in this project include ORNL, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
*$500,000 for the Tennessee Geographic Information System (GIS) Base Mapping Program. This program produces some of the most advanced maps in the world. These maps will be used in Tennessee's transportation, agriculture, environmental and homeland security planning.
*$6.5 million for the Water Resources Research Institute. Some of these funds will go to the University of Tennessee to study the state's long-term water planning, policy development, and resource management efforts. This program is a partnership between government agencies and higher education institutions which use knowledge about water sciences and engineering to protect, manage and sustain the nation's water resources for the future. This is the only training program for the next generation of water specialists and professionals.
Other important initiatives included in the Interior Appropriations bill included:
*$682 million for National Park Service backlog of maintenance projects across the country.
*$2.5 billion for the National Fire Plan, $1.8 billion for the Forest Service and $699 million for the Department of the Interior. Substantive increases are provided for fire fighting readiness, hazardous fuels reduction, forest health and restoration activities, and State and community assistance.
*$33 million for Forest Service forest health initiatives, including controlling the Southern pine beetle.
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