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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Pete Visclosky today announced that the Little Calumet River Flood Control and Recreation Project will receive $24 million in the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act. The bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives today and is scheduled for consideration and passage on Wednesday, February 25.
“This ample installment of federal funds ensures that federal assistance remains available for levee construction,” said Visclosky. “I have always fought hard to ensure that the federal funding for the project is available and am proud to provide this large dose of funding. In order for work to continue, and for this essential project to be completed, it is imperative that a local funding match is secured.”
The $24 million represents a $10 million increase over the original amount for fiscal year 2009 that Visclosky announced in July 2008 for construction of levees between Northcote Avenue and the State Line. Once complete, the project will include 22 miles of levees and flood walls that protect the citizens and businesses of Garry, Griffith, Hammond, Highland, and Munster. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates that flooding on the Little Calumet River causes $11 million in damages annually and the completion of the flood control project will protect homes and businesses to minimize the costs associated with flooding. In order for the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission, the project’s local sponsor, to access the new federal funds and continue work on the project it must secure its portion of the local cost share.
“Given the urgency of this matter, I hope the state will act quickly to provide the funds required to complete this project,” said Visclosky. “We need to complete these levees as quickly as possible so that we can protect people’s lives, homes, and businesses from the next flood.” |
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