Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. House today approved an agreement with the Senate on the 2010 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill.

The Interior Appropriation totals $32.2 billion, and includes funding for seven Hawaii projects requested by Rep. Neil Abercrombie:

• $7,400,000 to complete the purchase of James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge land on Oahu’s North Shore;
• $1,460,000 for capital improvements at Pacific Southwest Research field stations, located on Kauai, Maui and the Big Island;
• $1,000,000 for the management of invasive species programs, particularly important following state budget cuts;
• $500,000 in National Tropical Botanical Garden funding for research and work in endangered species propagation and education;
• $500,000 for Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Programs;
• $1,000,000 for the Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research for grants to universities to conduct renewable energy research.  UH has frequently received grants from CPBR;
• $1,000,000 for Kauai Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion, which is currently operating at 90% capacity and has limited capacity for new hookups.

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