“This funding will help provide information that is necessary for our coastal communities,” Jones said.  “I am pleased that at my urging, Subcommittee Chairman Ron Packard (R-CA) recognized the importance of these projects to Eastern North Carolina and saw fit to include them in the bill.” 

 H.R. 4733 provides $21.74 billion to fund the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Civil, the Department of the Interior (including the Bureau of Reclamation), the Department of Energy, and several independent agencies. 

 Rep. Jones was able to include the following funding provisions:
 

• $500,000 for a Feasibility Study of the Hatteras and Ocracoke Island portion of Dare County – Hwy 12

• $250,000 for a Feasibility Study of Bogue Banks

• $330,000 for a General Reevaluation Report of Topsail Beach

• $100,000 for a Reconnaissance Study for the Neuse River Basin

• $50,000 for a Feasibility Study for the Bodie Island portion of the Dare Co. Beach Preserve Project

 “The Committee faced massive budget constraints in the Corps of Engineers’ budget this year and vowed not to provide funds for any projects not currently underway or that could not be accomplished in one year.  By including funding for these projects, the Committee sent a clear signal that our Eastern North Carolina coastal issues are a top priority,” Jones said.