CONGRESSMAN BRIAN BILBRAY ANNOUNCES FUNDING INITIATIVES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008

(Washington D.C.)- Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-Carlsbad) announced today that he has posted his 2008 funding requests on his congressional website.  In the past, much of the funding requests that have come directly from Members of Congress have been requested behind closed doors, out of the public view.

“The appropriations process needs to be transparent,” Congressman Bilbray said.  “I have said many times in the past, if you’re not willing to put your name by a request, you probably shouldn’t be asking for it.  Funding requests should be done in the public light so that the American people have the opportunity to review what we’re asking for and why we’re asking for it.”

The appropriations process requires members to submit funding priorities, but there is no funding guarantee.  The House Appropriations Committee is ultimately responsible for evaluating the initiatives and determining which requests will be approved.  Congressman Bilbray requested federal funding for 20 local projects.

“San Diego County is a growing region with significant population, infrastructure, public safety and national security responsibilities,” said Congressman Bilbray.  “The projects I am advocating funding for are of the utmost importance to maintaining the safety and quality of life of residents of the 50^th District of California.” 

Congressman Bilbray’s funding initiatives for Fiscal Year 2008 are as follows and are listed according to the appropriate subcommittee:

Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies

1:  SR-56 Connectors and I-5 Widening--$9 million

This funding will be applied towards the construction of the State Route 56 Connectors and widening of Interstate 5 highway.  The funding may be used to relocate the fiber optic line, operational improvements such as auxiliary lanes and local freeway interchange modifications to improve traffic flow. This project is absolutely critical to the region as Interstate 5 is a major arterial roadway that faces constant gridlock due the lack of lanes and connection between State Route 56 and Interstate 5.

2: Citricado Parkway West Valley Parkway to Interstate 15 for the City of Escondido--$1.5 million

The Citracado Parkway Project (West Valley Parkway to Interstate 15) would provide critically needed congestion relief to the Interstate 15 and State Route (SR) 78 interchange as well as improve traffic on several arterial roadways in southwest Escondido.  The project is part of the regionally significant arterial network included in the Regional Transportation Plan, and consists of fully improved major roadway (an 82-foot wide improved roadway surface within a 102-foot wide right-of-way) from West Valley Parkway to Interstate 15.  The project would provide the final missing 1.4-mile link in a crucial alternative road connection between SR 78 and Interstate 15.  In addition, the future development of an approved 200-acre research/industrial park known as the Escondido Research and Technology Center (ERTC), which includes a 350-megawatt natural gas power plant, and a regional hospital/trauma center currently under construction, will depend heavily on the completion of this route.

3: Carlsbad Boulevard/Encinas Creek Bridge Replacement for the City of Encinitas--$1 million

This will fund the complete replacement of the existing bridge structure for the southbound lanes on Carlsbad Boulevard which was originally constructed in 1913. Carlsbad Boulevard is a major North/South transportation roadway in North County, known as Highway 101 in much of San Diego County. The bridge structure does not meet seismic standards and is close to exceeding its expected service life. Caltrans has recommended that the bridge be replaced.

4: Encinitas Boulevard/Interstate 5 Interchange Project Study Report, Project Report, and Environmental Review--$800,000

Encinitas Boulevard must be widened as part of the North Coast Interstate 5 Corridor (widening) Project or the City will suffer extreme traffic congestion at this location by 2030 and probably much sooner.  If the City is to have any hope of later integrating its alternative, we need to keep pace with the Caltrans Interstate 5 widening project.

5: Poinsetta Reach E (missing segment between Cassia and El Camino Real--$5.4 million

Construction of a 0.25 mile segment of Poinsettia Lane located west of El Camino Real. The project includes full width grading, four paved lanes (two in each direction separated by a raised landscaped median), bicycle lanes, sidewalks, streetlights, drainage improvements and environmental mitigation including a major bridge structure.

6: Leucadia Boulevard/Railroad Safety Improvements--$6.6 million

The existing Leucadia Boulevard/railroad at-grade crossing contains a severe crest over the rail line that creates vehicle carriage clearance issues passing over the rail tracks.  The project objective is implementation of a grade-separated solution for the rail/roadway crossing with the preferred solution depression of the rail line in a trench.  The next required phase for the grade-separated solution is conducting preliminary engineering design and environment documentation and potential right of way, followed by construction.

Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

1: San Diego County Sheriff Regional Infrastructure Upgrade Phase 5--$1.3 million

The funding would be used for completing the fifth phase of the SD Law Regional Infrastructure Upgrade Plan.  With assistance from Federal and local agencies, the Sheriff’s Department has completed technology projects to increase data sharing, improve disaster preparedness and deliver quicker information to law enforcement officers and first responders. The fifth phase of this plan deals with developing a wireless gateway between law enforcement officials and various Federal and local agencies.  The information that will be delivered through this wireless gateway will contain arrest records, pending warrants, officer notification flags, criminal histories, field incident reports, restraining orders and emergency updates.  The wireless gateway will be encrypted so that only the intended law enforcement officer will be able to utilize it.

2: San Diego Public Safety Technology Initiative--$650,000

The funding will procure handheld Personal Data Assistant (PDA) devices with custom applications for San Diego Police Officers.  These devices will provide GPS tracking for each unit, information on officer location, identification of specific threats, and positioning in the field; data and graphic transmittal in the field, as well as possible video streaming, enabling pictures, maps, and video from helicopter pursuits to assist in the tracking of suspects; and field access to the Automated Regional Justice Information System (ARJIS) and other law enforcement databases.

3: Mobile Wireless Infrastructure Upgrade for the City of Escondido--$210,000

The Mobile Wireless Infrastructure project will replace aging wireless modems in 175 police vehicles.  The Escondido Police Department provides Mobile Laptop Computers to each patrol officer to enhance emergency communications and support electronic messaging between vehicles.  Each patrol vehicle is outfitted with a modem and antenna to access a commercial wireless data connection to the City’s Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.  The wireless modems were installed three years ago and due to the rapid change in commercial wireless technology, are nearing the end of their useful life.  The demand for access to web-based law enforcement databases, Automated Field Reporting (AFR) and other applications can only be satisfied with an upgrade to the wireless modems installed in the vehicles.

4: Police Records Management System for the City of Escondido--$ 985,000

The Escondido Police Department would use an electronic Records Management System to collect, analyze and manage the vast amounts of data generated as part of law enforcement activities.  This system would computerize each report workflow and minimize paper-based data collection and report approval.  This electronic report information could then be automatically formatted and sent to the Automated Regional Justice Information System (ARJIS), resulting in significant time-savings for the Records Department and reduce the time for other regional agencies to be able to view the crime data.  Currently, the Escondido Police Department does not have an electronic Records Management System.  Field personnel enter information into electronic report templates which are then printed on paper for supervisor approval.

Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development

1: Solana Beach-Encinitas Shore Protection Project--$400,000

The coastline of Solana Beach and Encinitas is experiencing significant erosion, resulting in loss of beach width and undermining coastal bluffs.  The bluff erosion is extremely dangerous to the public as portions of the bluffs have collapsed.  The erosion of the bluffs is also threatening structures forcing homeowners to seek permits for seawalls.  The beach project will allow a protective barrier between the bluffs and the open ocean.  The Corps is scheduled to complete the feasibility study this year.  The project is ready to start the preconstruction, engineering and design phase (PED).  

2: Carlsbad Desalination Delivery System--$500,000

With the development of the proposed 50 million gallon per day desalination plant located at the Encina Power Station site, the City of Carlsbad will need to design and install the appropriate delivery system to utilize the water generated.  This request will help complete the preliminary design of the pipeline alignments with the help and advice of the Bureau of Reclamation.  This project would generate 50 million gallons per day (MGD) of desalinated water for the San Diego County region. San Diego currently imports about 90 percent of its water from sources outside the region.  As the region’s ability to depend on the Colorado River declines, there is a need to look at new ways to develop local sources of water.

3: North San Diego Area Water Recycling Project--$3 million

The North San Diego County Water Recycling Project is a regional cooperative effort by the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority, the Leucadia County Water District, the City of Carlsbad and the Olivenhain Municipal Water District.  When completed, the project will add up to 5 billion gallons annually to the San Diego region’s local water supply.  The first phase of the project (The San Elijo Project), which is complete, is already producing 500 million gallons of recycled water annually.  The second phase (the Olivenhain Southeast Project) is producing another 125 million gallons annually as of June 2003.  By 2007, it will increase to 350 million gallons per year. The third phase (City of Carlsbad) is operational and delivering 200 million gallons per year and will deliver up to 1.5 billion gallons per year by the end of 2007.  The North San Diego County Water Recycling Project is authorized by Public Law 104-266 to receive federal cost-sharing assistance through the Bureau of Reclamation’s Title XVI program.  Under this program, the Bureau is authorized to contribute up to 25 percent of the total cost of constructing the project, up to $20 million.  The total cost of the project is expected to be $100,000,000.  This is an ongoing federal project and has received approximately $17,000,000 in federal funds to date.

4: Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP)/Southern California Beach Processes Study (SCBPS)--$2 million

The Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP) measures, models and forecasts waves along the entire U.S. West Coast, Georgia, the Hawaiian Islands, and Guam; results are then disseminated in real-time to the National Weather Service (and to more than 80,000 users per day via the website http://cdip.ucsd.edu), and based on CDIP information, sea state and surf warnings are issued for the protection of life and property.  The Southern California Beach Processes Study (SCBPS) monitors beach elevation, and disseminates this information to the coastal community at http://cdip.ucsd.edu/SCBPS where local governments and engineers use this data for making educated policy decisions for protecting and enhancing local beaches.  Both programs (CDIP and SCBPS) are critical to marine safety and operations for the coastal United States, and there are no competitive funding sources available.

Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies

1: Upgraded Communications for Medical Operations Center--$286,000

The Upgraded Communications for Medical Operations Center (MOC) project will improve the timeliness and efficiency of deployment of medical resources during any emergency for the entire county of San Diego.  A fully equipped MOC with capabilities such as external satellite phone access from within the MOC and secure and encrypted phones to communicate with other secure sites such as the military and federal agencies, will serve to reduce loss of life and property during an emergency response.  The MOC was designed to bring County Public Health and community health care partners to a central location where they will have real-time information about the emergency situation and availability of medical assets thus facilitating improved decision-making to meet the greatest community need.

2: HYDRUS Molecular FIB Water Test--$3 million (Gen-Probe)

Nationwide beach closing and advisory days have increased from 2,600 in 1994 to 20,400 in 2005.  In 2000, it was estimated that 26,000 people acquired gastroenteritis at Huntington Beach alone, costing over $7,000,000 annually for only a 4 km stretch of beach.  Lost revenues for businesses account for over $200 billion in nationwide sales and services per year.  Current methods for detecting waterborne pathogens rely on the growth of microorganisms in culture media and the identification of certain growth characteristics associated with fecal indicator bacteria (FIB).  The time to result is 24 hours or more, which has adverse health, environmental, and economic consequences due to delays.  The HYDRUS system, a prototype nucleic acid test, detects human fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) within four hours.  These funds will 1) complete optimization of the prototype HYDRUS assay, 2) research feasibility for use of the assay on a remote testing device, and 3) evaluate biomarkers for additional indicator organisms and pathogens.

Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies

1: Leucadia Flood Control Project Design in the City of Encinitas, Highway 101 from Athena Street north to La Costa Avenue--$1 million

The funding will be used to design an underground storm drain system with the capacity to convey the peak flow rate from a 100-year frequency storm event.  This large storm drain system is required to convey the runoff from the Leucadia watershed.  Preliminary results show that for the 100-year storm a 5-foot diameter pipe is required at the upstream end of the watershed, eventually transitioning to a 9-foot diameter pipe at the outlet into the lagoon.  This includes utilization of the existing 24’’ storm drain as a low flow system discharging to the detention basins north of La Costa Avenue to preserve water quality benefits.  This storm drain system would remove the floodplain for up to a 100-year storm from the study area.

2: Sorrento Mesa Reclaimed Water Pipeline Extension--$265,000

Funding is requested to complete construction of an underground reclaimed water main extending into the City’s Optimized Zone for Reclaimed Water, connecting businesses to the City’s reclaimed water system, enabling use of more than 100,000 gallons per day of reclaimed water in place of potable water for industrial cooling and flushing.  It will improve citywide availability of potable water for residential consumers and help to meet federal targets for beneficial use of reclaimed water produced at the federally-funded North City Water Reclamation Plant (NCWRP).

3: Solana Beach Wastewater Treatment System Improvement Project--$2 million

Funding will upgrade a 40 year-old wastewater treatment system in order to meet State and Federal health and safety standards and to avert a potential disaster in San Elijo Lagoon.  Protecting the San Elijo Lagoon is the main focus as a potential sewer force main break would prove disastrous to the entire ecosystem.  This project consists of three main components including replacement of the Solana Beach Force Main, upgrades to the Eden Gardens Pump Station and upgrades to the Solana Beach Pump Station.

Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies

1: Secondary Wastewater Treatment Facility in Mexico along the San Diego-Tijuana Border--$3,250,000 (Bajagua, LLC) Reps. Filner, Hunter and Bilbray

Amend President’s FY 2008 budget request for the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to include $3,250,000 for development of a secondary wastewater treatment facility in Mexico along the San Diego – Tijuana border, as described in P.L. 106-457 and P.L. 108-425.  As you may know, it is estimated that 50 to 70 million gallons per day (mgd) of Tijuana sewage flows into the Pacific Ocean.  For more than 70 years, this sewage has plagued southern California’s beaches, causing repeated beach closures and other negative public health consequences in the San Diego-Tijuana region.  Currently, the State of California is in violation of the Clean Water Act and is mandated by court order to address this growing problem. 

The proposed Secondary Wastewater Treatment Facility in Mexico would have a treatment capacity of 59 mgd.  Moreover, if the facility fails to meet the stringent environmental guidelines, the federal government will not be responsible to pay for any of the costs associated with the construction and maintenance of the treatment plant.  It is a pay-for-performance and pay-as-you-go project that can potentially produce reclaimed water that can be sold back to Mexico with profits from the sale going to the federal government.  

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