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Appropriations Requests
Appropriations Requests Information
A number of safeguards and disclosure requirements have been established for the appropriations process to increase transparency of the process and to ensure that projects are thoroughly vetted and are in the public’s interest. Members of Congress for the first time have to sign a declaration for each project that they request funding for stating that they or their family members do not have a financial interest in the project. While it is true that a select few of my colleagues in Congress have abused the earmark process, the vast majority use earmarks for their true purpose; to give direct federalfinancial backing to valuable and necessary public projects.
Over the years I have secured funding in my district for a number of important transportation and freight mobility projects, after school programs, environmental restoration projects, housing developments, and health infrastructure and research programs, among others. I have never received an earmark that I would be afraid to disclose, which is why I will be posting all the earmarks I receive on this page.
Thank you for your interest in the legislative process.
FY
2010
Appropriations Requests
FY 2009 Appropriations: Omnibus Earmarks
FY 2010 Appropriations Request Overview
Aviation High School: Not For Profit Entity
Recipient’s name and address
Highline School District, 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW,
Burien WA 98166
Laboratory for Aviation High School (equipment to be located in new school facility): $750,000;
The project requested is specifically for funds to design and begin the purchase/construction of state-of-the-art STEM Laboratory facilities. According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because specific equipment needed for the new laboratory facilities will allow students to engage in all acts of scientific observation, measurement, verification and discovery with advanced instrumentation and information technology. These features will allow teachers the ability to teach at the highest STEM levels possible, but also give students the necessary skills to be solid contributors in the new high-tech workplace. While the building is critical, having the right lab facilities will prepare AHS students to compete successfully with their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) peers worldwide.
City of Burien: Not For Profit Entity
Recipient’s name and address
City of Burien
15811 Ambaum Blvd SW, Suite C,
Burien, WA 98166
1st Avenue South Corridor Improvements, Phase II; $2 million;
This multi-phase project is rebuilding the 1st Avenue South corridor, from south to north, beginning at SW 174th Place in the City of Normandy Park and ending at SW 128th Street on the northern border of Burien. Phase 1 of this project (SW 163rd – SW 146th St) within the City of Burien was fully funded at $23.3 million and is now complete. Phase II (from SW 146th - SW140th) of this project is estimated to cost $8.2 million, of which $6.2 million in state and local funds has been secured.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the existing roadway now serves as a regional transportation corridor that is undersized and inadequately designed to carry the 30,000 trucks and other motor vehicles that travel this corridor on a daily basis. Because of the high volume of traffic and substandard conditions on the corridor (such as a lack of sidewalks, a lack of curbs and controlled driveway/access points, few accommodations for pedestrians using transit, a lack of turning lanes, inadequate lane width, etc.), higher than average accident rates are now experienced on 1st Avenue South.
City of SeaTac: 2 requests
Recipient’s name and address
City of SeaTac: Not For Profit Entity
4800 S. 188th Street,
SeaTac, WA 98188
Main Street SeaTac: $500,000;
Complete final design for Phase I of the Main Street SeaTac Project; to construct a 1,300 lineal foot roadway with 12.5 foot wide sidewalks, two travel lanes, parallel parking, street trees, pedestrian lighting, mid-block crosswalks, street furniture, decorative signage, wayfinding and information kiosks in SeaTac’s City Center. Phase I of Main Street starts with a north-south orientation extending north from S. 176th Street.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the City of SeaTac estimates that the Main Street SeaTac project will create 2,700 permanent new jobs, leverage $730 million in private investment and generate $8.2 million in annual property taxes and $5.1 million in annual sales tax. Additionally, by attracting 2,700 jobs, 700 housing units, and 150,000 square feet of new retail, we estimate that the Main Street project will eliminate 800,000 vehicle miles travelled annually. The planned improvements will bring needed living wage jobs to the District (estimated average salaries of $49,000), encourage transit ridership, improve environmental quality, and generate tax revenue for the State of Washington.
Requested funds will be used to complete final design of Main Street Phase 1 in SeaTac’s City Center, located adjacent to the new regional light rail service and Sea-Tac Airport. Phase 1 of the Main Street SeaTac project has been designed to 30 percent.
City of SeaTac: Not For Profit Entity
Recipient’s name and address
4800 S. 188th Street,
SeaTac, WA 98188
South 154th Street Improvement Project: $1,000,000;
The South 154th Street Improvement Project extends approximately .64 miles, from 24th Avenue South to International Boulevard, along an arterial that supports a high volume of SR 518, local, cargo facility, transit and airport related traffic. This project is located directly adjacent to the new light rail and bus rapid transit systems and will greatly enhance access to these regional transit facilities.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because:
Economic Impact. The City of SeaTac estimates that this project will help create 290 permanent jobs and retain 250 jobs by providing urban transportation infrastructure necessary to support the redevelopment of the adjacent 40 acre light rail station area. The project will also employ 20 full time equivalent construction positions, at the prevailing wage, for the duration of the project (18 months).
Safety. Between 2004 and 2006, 90 accidents occurred within the project area, including 32 injury accidents and costs totaling $9.4 million. If this project is not implemented the frequency of accidents can be expected to increase as the area grows, and as pedestrian and bicycle demand expand with the addition of two new transit systems along the adjacent International Boulevard/SR 99 corridor. If the project is fully implemented, the City of SeaTac estimates an annual benefit of $470,615 will result from the proposed safety improvements and resulting reduction in accidents, assuming a 20 year project life span.
Congestion Relief. The intersection at S. 154th Street and International Boulevard is at Level of Service E, one step short of being out of compliance with concurrency standards that must be met before new development is allowed. The City of SeaTac anticipates that this project will bring congestion down to a Level of Service C. Additionally, the project will reduce congestion by improving access to the light rail system, providing transit preemption for the Rapid Ride corridor and encouraging transit-oriented development.
Freight Movement. S. 154th Street carries significant freight volumes associated with the air cargo industry, estimated at 800 trucks daily and within a range of 300,000 to 4,000,000 tons annually. The various safety and capacity elements of this project will benefit freight movement and continued economic development in accordance with the Port of Seattle/Sea-Tac Airport's plans to expand air cargo facilities.
Environmental Protection. This project supports high-occupancy and non-motorized transportation modes that will reduce fuel consumption, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Improved storm water facilities will enhance water quality.
City of Seattle: 7 requests
Recipient’s name and address
City of Seattle: Not For Profit Entity
P.O. Box 94749
Seattle, WA 98124-4749
Seattle Police Forensics and Digital Imaging Infrastructure Upgrade: $250,000;
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the purpose of this project is to purchase advanced technology to support the movement towards a regional interoperable digital imaging acquisition and distribution network, utilizing digital informational delivery portals. The current Seattle Police network is film and analog based, outdated and insufficient to provide adequate security and support before, during and after a major critical incident, such as an active shooter or a mass casualty occurrence such as an earthquake or a chemical, biological, radioactive or nuclear explosion. In addition there is no formalized procedures for proper image capture, viewing, reviewing, enhancing, indexing, cataloging and archiving digital footage. From an evidentiary perspective this is unacceptable. Without proper digital security mechanisms in place to preserve the chain of evidence and the integrity of digital images on a local and regional level, admissibility in court would not be possible.
Recipient’s name and address
City of Seattle : Not For Profit Entity
P.O. Box 94749
Seattle, WA 98124-4749
Mercer Corridor Project: $50 million;
For more than 40 years, the Mercer Corridor has been one of the City’s most significant transportation challenges, dividing neighborhoods, clogging city streets, and stalling traffic on Interstate 5 and SR 99. This portion of Mercer Street is one of the most congested in Seattle, with backups onto I-5 due to numerous turns and the chokepoint at Fairview-Valley streets.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the project widens Mercer Street from I-5 to Dexter Avenue, converting Mercer from one-way to two-way with three lanes eastbound and three lanes westbound, parking and left-turn lanes.It provides a more direct route to Queen Anne, South Lake Union, Interbay, and Fremont, improves access to jobs in the surrounding employment centers and reconnects neighborhoods.
The project widens Mercer Street from I-5 to Dexter Avenue, converting Mercer from one-way to two-way with three lanes eastbound and three lanes westbound, parking and left-turn lanes.It provides a more direct route to Queen Anne, South Lake Union, Interbay, and Fremont, improves access to jobs in the surrounding employment centers and reconnects neighborhoods. The project improves freight movement by decreasing the number of turns from I-5 to Westlake Ave N from three to one. It creates an easy to navigate street grid and keeps trucks heading to Interbay and Ballard moving. The project eliminates turn restrictions and adds bicycle lanes and 32 block faces of new or improved sidewalks making it easier to get around by car, truck, bike and foot. An improved Mercer Corridor will also enhance access to alternative north-south routes for traffic when the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement is under construction.
Recipient’s name and address
Seattle District Army Corps of Engineers: Not For Profit Entity
P.O. Box 3755,
Seattle WA 98124-3755
Elliott Bay (Alaskan Way) Seawall Feasibility Study: $1,500,000;
The City of Seattle and Seattle District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) are currently cost-sharing partners engaged in a Feasibility Phase Study of the Elliott Bay Seawall.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the purpose of the feasibility study is to document the problems and opportunities associated with the seawall, formulate plans, and determine if there is a federal interest in a solution. The study purpose is currently classified under the Corps “Storm Damage Reduction” program and has recently been expanded to include failure due to seismic events.
This request would provide funding for the Corps to substantially complete all the analysis, economic model and report development for the feasibility study. The economic cost/benefit would be identified as well as all other damage categories, the alternatives analysis would be completed and the “with project conditions” would be determined. This would also include completing the EIS. The study would be ready for review by headquarters and the Civil Works Board prior to final approval.
Recipient’s name and address
City of Seattle: Not For Profit Entity
P.O. Box 94749
Seattle, WA 98124-4749
King Street Station Restoration and Seismic Retrofit Project; $4 million;
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because King Street Station is a historic train station built in 1906 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The station serves as the Northwest hub for 3.8 million travelers using national and regional Amtrak passenger trains and Sound Transit commuter rail service. Federal funding will assist with efforts to seismically retrofit the building to ensure it will continue to function and provide capacity for effective mass evacuation in the event of a national disaster. The seismic retrofit will include reinforcing the foundation as well as the interior and exterior walls in both the station and clock tower.
Recipient’s name and address
City of Seattle: Not For Profit Entity
P.O. Box 94749
Seattle, WA 98124-4749
Madison Valley Long-Term Flooding Solution (Phase II); $2.7 million
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because this project will prevent flooding in a neighborhood that has experienced property loss and threats to human health during numerous severe rain events over the last several years. In August 2004 and December 2006, major rain storms caused stormwater to overwhelm the combined sewer system and back up into residences. Many residents had 4-5 five feet of water in their basements within a 15-30 minute time period, causing substantial health and safety concerns.
Recipient’s name and address
Recipient’s name and address
City of Seattle : Not For Profit Entity
P.O. Box 94749
Seattle, WA 98124-4749
Magnuson Park Wetlands Project: $1 million; The Magnuson Park Master Plan addresses 156 acres occupying the physical “heart” of the 340-acre park.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because this project continues the long process of converting the former Naval Air Station – Seattle into mixed use urban park. Phase 1, was completed in 2005 and restored a 12 acre natural grass multi-purpose meadow for sports and events. Phase 2 is currently under construction and includes approximately 40 acres of both habitat restoration and athletic fields. Seattle Parks and Recreation is seeking funding for additional expansion of the wetlands restoration element of this project in Phase 3.
Recipient’s name and address
City of Seattle : Not For Profit Entity
P.O. Box 94749
Seattle, WA 98124-4749
Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative: $500,000;
The Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative (SYVPI) is targeted for three Seattle communities in the southeast, southwest, and central areas of the city. These areas have higher concentrations of youth violence than other areas of the city. In addition, these neighborhoods have greater numbers of low income, minority and immigrant families. The SYVPI will improve safety for these families in their neighborhoods and increase the likelihood that their youth will finish school, engage in positive activities and become contributing members of their communities.
Mayor Nickels has proposed creation of three community-led networks to provide a full range of services including outreach, mentoring, case management, anger management, youth employment and pre-apprenticeships, recreation, community school police officers, emphasis patrols and neighborhood matching fund projects led by youth.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because these services are proven to reduce the likelihood that high-risk youth will continue to engage in violent behavior. Activities funded by this request would include a mentor recruitment campaign, training and assignment of mentors to high-risk youth, and a web based tool to track youth participation and success in programs intended to reduce their likelihood to commit violence.
Recipient’s name and address
City of Shoreline: Not For Profit Entity
17500 Midvale Avenue N
Shoreline, WA 98133
SR-99 (Aurora Avenue N.) Improvement Project; $2.0 million: Aurora Avenue through Shoreline (State Route 99 - between N. 145th Street and N. 205th Street) is a primary transportation route of statewide significance. The City of Shoreline has been working for more than a decade with multiple state and regional partners to transform this route into a modern, multi-modal transportation and transit route that enhances the economic retail corridor. Improvements have been constructed in one mile segments. Phase One of this project was completed in 2007 and Phase Two is fully funded with construction scheduled to begin in 2009. Phase Three is the final segment of this critical infrastructure project and the subject of this federal funding request.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the three miles of Aurora Avenue in Shoreline functions as the City’s downtown area, providing a variety of services and employment. Within the City of Shoreline, the Aurora Corridor provides approximately 88% of taxable retail and 5,500 jobs, with another 3,300 expected by 2015. This project will provide a significant redevelopment of the public right-of-way and will facilitate and stimulate the long-term growth opportunities for existing, new and expanding businesses. With 40,000 vehicles traveling through the Aurora corridor daily, it is a major north-south corridor for individuals traveling to/from Seattle and other urban centers and regional destinations. Additionally, 5,000 daily transit users board or de-board buses in this corridor and this project will provide them with safer facilities and improved services. This corridor is also a Bus Rapid Transit Corridor (BRT) for transit providers in Snohomish County (Community Transit) and King County (Metro), with service scheduled to begin in 2009 and 2013, respectively.
Recipient’s name and address
City of Tukwila: Not For Profit Entity
6200 Southcenter Blvd
Tukwila, WA 98188
Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project, Tukwila, Washington; $2 million
In its 100-year history, Tukwila has evolved into an urban center and transportation hub that is a critical economic engine for the region. Tukwila has over 2,000 businesses employing over 42,000 people and includes the largest mall in the Pacific Northwest. This business environment results in over 150,000 people traveling on city streets each day. Tukwila is served by many modes of transportation including King County’s Metro bus service, Sounder commuter rail, and Amtrak. Later in 2009 the City’s light rail station will open. Tukwila is also home to the busiest freeway interchange in Washington State (I-5 and I-405).
Because the City developed by annexing previously unincorporated county land during a time of auto oriented development, many commercial and residential neighborhoods are missing sidewalks and bike lanes to connect to alternate modes of transportation. Some of the residential neighborhoods are home to low-income families who currently walk in the road or on road shoulders to get to nearby stores, schools and transit.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because in January 2009, after a three-year, state funded, comprehensive planning effort, the City adopted the “Walk and Roll Plan”, which is the City’s first nonmotorized transportation plan. The most critical components identified in the Walk and Roll plan are adding bike lanes and sidewalks to city streets where currently there are none. This proposed project would construct those identified improvements.
By constructing sidewalks and bike lanes, this project will:
- Attract new, transit-oriented development around the commuter rail and light-rail stations
- Support the region’s business economy by providing more options for employees to get to work
- Improve safety by reducing collisions between automobiles and pedestrians and bikes
- Improve the health of residents by enabling children to walk to school and families to walk to transit, work, and daily shopping
- Improve the environment by reducing the use of automobiles.
- Provide better access to regional bike and pedestrian trails
Many of the sidewalk segments would be added in a low-income, ethnically diverse neighborhood in which over 24% of the children live in poverty and 41% of the population is foreign born. These sidewalks would improve the lives of the people living in that neighborhood. Tukwila students are more likely to walk to school, speak a second language and be in a single parent household. The majority of the City’s neighborhoods and the neighborhoods of the adjacent jurisdictions have from 10-19% of persons in poverty. The Tukwila schools adjacent to the project offer free and reduced lunches to 65-87% of their students.
Recipient’s name and address
Highline Community College : Not For Profit Entity
P.O. Box 98000, MS 1-1
Des Moines, WA 98198
Expansion of the Puget Sound Welcome Back Center at Highline Community College; $250,000
The Puget Sound Welcome Back Center at Highline Community College builds bridges between the pool of internationally trained professionals living in Washington State and the need for linguistically and culturally competent professional services in underserved communities. The Center is modeled after the successful Welcome Back Initiative started by City College of San Francisco and San Francisco State University.
The initial focus of the Puget Sound Welcome Back Center has been on healthcare. Based on increasing interest by immigrant communities, Highline seeks to adapt the model to support other high-demand fields – engineering, business, technology and teaching.
The services offered by the Welcome Back Center include: individualized orientation, development of career path plans, career-guidance courses, technical courses to address skills gaps, and contextualized English as a Second Language (ESL) courses to improve participants’ English proficiency, as needed.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the Center provides immigrant professionals assistance in obtaining the necessary credentials and licenses to practice their profession in Washington, marketing their skills appropriately and effectively, and obtaining further education and experience to facilitate their finding of meaningful employment.
On a broader level, the Welcome Back Center, by helping to integrate immigrant professionals into the employment sector, seeks to increase cultural competency in Washington’s workers and the overall diversification of the state’s workforce.
By utilizing the strengths of the Welcome Back Center’s current model, Highline Community College is well positioned to open additional opportunities for future participants and the community to truly benefit on both a social and an economic level.
Recipient’s name and address
Institute for Community Leadership (ICL): Not For Profit Entity
24833 180th AVE SE
Kent, WA 98042
Nonviolence Leadership Curriculum Project (NLCP): $375,000;
The ICL Nonviolence Leadership Curriculum Project provides community leadership and school personnel transformational curriculum and programming, designed to reduce violence and academic disparities amongst low-income, traditionally disenfranchised tribal, rural and urban communities of Washington State. ICL’s scientific research based curriculum demonstrates improvements in academic achievement and civic engagement across lines of socio-economic, racial and low-academic backgrounds. This project expands teacher and student access through publishing and distributing of our curriculum.
According to the requestor this project creates practical tools for Washington State school districts that will help significantly reduce student drop-out rates, lessen the academic gap based on race and economic station, and lessen negative social behavior such as truancy, bullying and race based antagonisms. School districts will greatly increase their ability to develop among their students a higher level of citizenship and public consciousness. We all benefit by equipping tomorrows work force, our young people, with the intellectual and analytical capacity required to build a strong global economy for tomorrow.
King County: 14 requests in the 7th Congressional District, with additional requests elsewhere
Recipient’s name and address
King County: Not For Profit Entity
King County Courthouse
516 Third Ave, Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
West Seattle RapidRide & Hybrid Bus Program: $15 million;
King County Metro will also acquire an additional 25 of these articulated hybrid buses. These new buses will use hybrid electric/diesel technology as do the 213 hybrid buses delivered to King County Metro in 2004. King County Metro has had a positive experience with their current hybrid buses and is a strong supporter of their overall environmental benefits. The additional hybrid buses will provide servce to and within the 14 regionally designated growth centers in King County.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because FTA’s mission is to support a variety of locally planned, constructed, and operated public transportation systems throughout the U.S., including buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, streetcars, monorail, passenger ferry boats, inclined railways, and people movers.
The acquisition of the hybrid buses will allow King County Metro to provide additional transit service in King County and reduce green house gas emissions. Since first acquiring hybrid buses in 2004, Metro has seen a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to its conventional diesel fleet. The hybrids are also proving to be 40 percent more reliable than their articulated diesel counterparts in terms of mechanical breakdowns.
Recipient’s name and address
King County: Not For Profit Entity
King County Courthouse
516 Third Ave, Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
Bike Sharing Program and Facility Enhancements: $2.3 million;
This project will implement a self-service short-term bicycle rental system, similar to the SmartBike DC program in Washington, DC. It will also provide a combination of covered bike racks and on-demand bicycle lockers at a total of 30 transit facilities, such as park-and-ride lots, major bus rapid transit stations, and transit centers, geographically dispersed throughout King County.
Phase One of the Bike Sharing demonstration project will be centered in Seattle’s South Lake Union area, with connections to the Seattle Central Business District, the University District, and other urban centers. During Phase Two of the project, the program would expand to additional neighborhoods in Seattle and urban centers in other parts of King County, such as the suburban cities of Bellevue and Redmond.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because benefits of implementing the bike share program include reducing traffic, emissions and demand for auto parking, as well as reducing costs for personal transportation. It also enhances access to transit and business, and helps improve personal health. King County is working with Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, British Columbia, in the implementation of similar programs to share experience and potentially achieve economies of scale.
Recipient’s name and address
King County: Not For Profit Entity
King County Courthouse
516 Third Ave, Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
Duwamish/Green Ecosystem Restoration Program; $6.5 million; The Duwamish/Green Ecosystem Restoration Program, initiated in a 1995 feasibility study, is a 14-year collaborative effort by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, King County, 15 cities in the watershed, the City of Tacoma, and numerous public agency and non-governmental resource groups. This effort, authorized in the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (WRDA 2000), provides critical environmental improvements, including assisting in the recovery of Endangered Species Act federally-listed Chinook salmon. It is integral to the economic advancement and well being of the region.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because restoration of downstream sites, as planned in the Ecosystem Restoration Program, will provide habitat needed by the fish that use the fish passage facility at the HHD. Restoration sites have been identified and the local governments have committed the funds necessary to move forward with design and construction. Since 2004, successful project elements include site remediation and removal of hazardous materials at North Wind’s Weir, design and Phase 1 construction of Lake Meridian Outlet and Newaukum Creek, site designs for Riverview Park, Lones and Fenster Levees, and construction of Lake Meridian Valley Creek. 2009 priorities include North Wind’s Weir construction, and Lake Meridian Outlet Phase 3 construction. 2010 projects will include final design and construction of Upper Springbrook Creek, Riverview Park and Mill Creek and Lones and Fenster Levees, Garrison Creek Restoration, Phase 2 Restoration on Newaukum Creek and Lake Meridian Outlet Phase 2.
Recipient’s name and address
King County: Not For Profit Entity
King County Courthouse
516 Third Ave, Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations; $425,000; This funding will help replace up to 50 sub-compact and compact sedans in the King County fleet that have reached the end of their useful life with street-legal electric vehicles (EVs) by offsetting the cost difference of the EVs. It will also provide charging stations at three King County facilities to recharge the cars. In addition, the project will install charging stations at up to15 park-and-ride lots which will allow commuters to recharge EVs. This will make EVs a viable option for commuters by providing the needed infrastructure, which currently does not exist.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because allowing commuters the option to invest in vehicles powered by alternative energy, will help reduce the region’s carbon footprint. Locating the charging stations at park and ride facilities will encourage transit ridership and help reduce congestion on the regional roadway network.
Another benefit of EVs is the low cost of operation. For an EV with an all-electric range of 60 miles, the cost of fully recharging the battery is less than one dollar. With the high costs of gasoline, the equivalent fuel cost per mile for EVs can be less than one-sixth of gasoline vehicles. EVs also require less servicing and have virtually no parts to replace.
The Puget Sound region is well suited to spearhead the use of electricity as a clean transportation fuel alternative to fossil fuels because much of the electricity produced in the region is generated from clean sources. King County is ideally situated to demonstrate the viability of using EVs. The total cost of the project is $1.185 million.
Recipient’s name and address
King County: Not For Profit Entity
King County Courthouse
516 Third Ave, Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
King County International Airport Security Improvements; $713,000;
KCIA, also known as Boeing Field, is one of the busiest primary non-hub airports in the nation. Located just five miles south of downtown Seattle, KCIA averages more than 300,000 operations (takeoffs and landings) each year. In 2001, it was selected by the National Air Transportation Association as one of the “100 Most Needed Airports” in the United States. The Airport is also the home of the Boeing Company Aircraft Test Facility, 737 Delivery Center, and Military Flight Center (AWAC).
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because this project will provide new security systems for the airport perimeter, including gate access, and new upgraded protection for the 210,000 gallon airport fuel farm. The additional security will help prevent unauthorized access to restricted areas, address current deficiencies in the system and meet FAA standards for Class II airports. Post September 11, 2001 threat assessments identified the airport and its fuel farm as vulnerables target, largely due to their proximity to public streets and private facilities.
Recipient’s name and address
King County: Not For Profit Entity
King County Courthouse
516 Third Ave, Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
King County International Airport Air Rescue Fire Fighting Facility; $5 million;
KCIA, also known as Boeing Field, is one of the busiest primary non-hub airports in the nation. Located just five miles south of downtown Seattle, KCIA averages more than 300,000 operations (takeoffs and landings) each year. In 2001, it was selected by the National Air Transportation Association as one of the “100 Most Needed Airports” in the United States. The Airport is also the home of the Boeing Company Aircraft Test Facility, 737 Delivery Center, and Military Flight Center (AWAC).
The airport is designated by the Federal Aviation Administration as an ARFF Fire Index A. It handles every size and category of aircraft, including aircraft in test flight. The ARFF facility also provides aid to the Boeing Company Flight Center.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the existing ARFF facility is 20 years old and at the end of its useful life. It must be replaced with a facility that can accommodate new state-of-the-art fire and rescue equipment, including an Oshkosh Striker 3000 Fire Truck. The improved conditions will help meet the staffing and operational demands of a facility that functions 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Recipient’s name and address
King County: Not For Profit Entity
King County Courthouse
516 Third Ave, Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
King County International Airport Taxiway Alpha; $7.79 million;
Taxiway Alpha is the airport’s primary taxiway for air cargo carriers, major corporate tenants and general aviation traffic. The Alpha Taxiway also serves the Main Terminal building and air taxi carriers.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the taxiway has compromised sub-base stability and pavement rutting, as well as severe cracking. It is unsafe for aircraft movement. The requested funds will be used to eliminate the existing draining issues and repave the taxiway. This will significantly improve the safety of the runway for airport customers and reduce delays. The airport is financed by airport tenant and customer fees. It receives no general tax revenues.
Recipient’s name and address
King County: Not For Profit Entity
King County Courthouse
516 Third Ave, Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
Low-Energy Bus Yard Lighting Project: $240,000;
The South Bus Base was constructed in 1979. It provides transit service to the south half of King County and links Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with Downtown Seattle. The lighting for the bus base was constructed with a combination of 40-feet and 85-feet high poles, with luminaires at the top. With the current lighting system, there are dark spots which give rise to safety issues, and spots of excess light and light pollution.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because this project will provide adequate lighting that meets State requirements to enable bus drivers to fully perform the legally-required safety inspections prior to climbing on their bus. It will also reduce the amount of light that eminates from the bus base by using cutoff luminaires that emit no direct upward light and by installing controls to reduce energy consumption when there is little or no activity in the area. This has the added benefit of reduing the amount of light shining onto and across the freeway (SR-599) and into residential areas.
Recipient’s name and address
King County: Not For Profit Entity
King County Courthouse
516 Third Ave, Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
Passenger Only Ferries: $10 million;
The King County Ferry District (KCFD) was formed in 2007. The district saved the Vashon Island passenger-only ferry service that the State of Washington discontinued effective June 30, 2008. This district also provides year-round operation of the popular Elliott Bay Water Taxi, and plans to offer five demonstration routes on Lake Washington and Puget Sound.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the requested funding would help the King County Ferry District acquire up to three passenger-only vessels. These vessels will provide vital transportation connections at a time when our highways and roads are at or above their capacity. One vessel would serve the Vashon Island route, another for the Elliott Bay Water Taxi, and the third would be a standby to support the service for the entire system.
The vessel currently serving the Vashon Island route is at the end of its useful life and has become costly to operate due to maintenance requirements and excessive fuel consumption. A private contractor has been providing the vessel for the Elliott Bay Water Taxi for the last several years, but this vessel is over 40 years old, and cannot operate at the speed necessary to provide frequent and reliable service for West Seattle commuters. Both vessels must be upgraded to meet transportation needs for region in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Recipient’s name and address
King County: Not For Profit Entity
King County Courthouse
516 Third Ave, Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
Puget Sound Nearshore Marine Habitat Study; $5 million:
This study identifies the most cost-effective habitat restoration projects in the nearshore, estuary and marine areas of the Puget Sound basin. The revitalization of nearshore habitat is critical for salmon recovery efforts. The project has more than 15 state and local partners. It is also part of the Puget Sound Partnership’s strategy to achieve a healthy Puget Sound by 2020.
Since FY 2003 Congress has appropriated over $4.9 million for the Puget Sound Nearshore Marine Habitat Study. For FY 2009 the project has the following amounts pending: $1.5 million (Senate) and $600,000 (House).
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the requested $5 million in FY 2010 will allow King County to continue to work in partnership with the Puget Sound Partnership and other stakeholders on implementation of critical near shore restoration projects in the waters adjacent to King County. These projects were identified in the Nearshore Marine Habitat Study that is scheduled for completion in February 2010. This funding will also help support implementation of priorities in the federally adopted Puget Sound Chinook Recovery Plan.
Recipient’s name and address
King County: Not For Profit Entity
King County Courthouse
516 Third Ave, Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
Renewable Energy and Ultra-High Efficiency Transit Facilitation Project; $4 million:
King County Metro operates out of seven transit bases spread though a 2,134 square mile operating area. This project will renovate the entire mechanical system and much of the electrical system at the North Base in Shoreline. It includes adding active solar (photovoltaic) and passive solar heating (solar wall) as well as adoption of ultra-high efficiency heating and cooling technologies (i.e. ground source heat pumps, variable refrigerant flow systems).
These solutions have not been widely used in industrial applications. The blending of renewable heating and cooling systems with emerging high efficiency heating and cooling systems in a mixed use building, such as this, has not been accomplished to date.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because demonstrating the feasibility merging these systems in the same building will enable many owners of similar facilities, public and private, to follow this model. In addition, illustrating that these systems can be installed and operated at reduced costs is a much needed example in the market place. Furthermore, use of renewable and high efficiency non-fossil fueled heating and cooling systems would reduce fossil fuel emissions in the immediate geographical area, reduce greenhouse gases and the carbon footprint for this facility as well as any facility that implements a similar plan in the future.
The entire facility, which includes a 157,000 square-feet underground garage, would benefit from solar photovoltaic powered lighting. In addition, it is estimated that half of the building’s square footage (250,000 square-feet) can be served with renewable and ultra-high efficiency heating and cooling technologies.
Recipient’s name and address
King County: Not For Profit Entity
King County Courthouse
516 Third Ave, Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
South Park Bridge Replacement, $5 million;
The South Park Bridge, formerly known as the 14th/16th Street Bridge, spans the Duwamish River and connects the South Park neighborhood in the City of Seattle to the Duwamish Industrial area. The current structure consists of a moveable-span bascule bridge, originally installed in 1929 and opened in 1931. Currently, King County owns half the bridge with the City of Tukwila owning the other half.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because this bridge replacement project will boost the economic health of the South Park area by prompting improvements to the area, preserving an important river crossing and its traffic and freight movements, removing a seismically vulnerable structure, removing an unpredictable structure that is in poor condition and has a history of unreliable operation, preserving the historic character of the bridge by incorporating its features and styles, providing an important route for emergency service response, environmentally improving the project site, and improving the safety for motorists and non-motorized users alike.
A new bridge will not only preserve, but improve the economy in the area. A new bridge allows South Park businesses, especially those that rely heavily on drive-by traffic to continue. Business owners will invest and/or develop properties in the South Park community, likely prompting more needed improvements to this area if a new bridge is built.
The existing South Park Bridge is extremely vulnerable to earthquakes. A new bridge, built to current codes, would remove this vulnerability and allow a new structure to be built on schedule without impacts to traffic. In an alternative scenario, an earthquake could put the existing bridge out of service, and the community and region would suffer the impacts of a multi-year closure while a new bridge is built under emergency conditions.
Regionally, the South Park Bridge is a critical transportation connection for SR-99, SR-509, West Seattle, and the southwest part of King County. It carries over 10 million tons of freight per year and links North Tukwila and Duwamish manufacturing and industrial centers. The crossing is used by an average of 20,000 vehicles per day, many of which support industrial clusters in the area. Industrial clusters are concentrations of industries that export goods and services and import wealth into the region. The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) has targeted six Puget Sound industrial clusters – two of which have high concentrations around the South Park Bridge – for growth opportunities. There are over 17,000 jobs in these two targeted clusters - aerospace, logistics and international trade - within a one mile radius of the South Park Bridge. The South Park Bridge supports area freight mobility and development of these clusters and the construction of a new bridge would maintain, and even improve, freight mobility in the area. Conversely, removal of the bridge would negatively impact the growth of these clusters with the addition of significant congestion and the loss of a river crossing in the heart of the industrial district. In addition, congestion - especially in the area of the First Avenue South Bridge - could hamper business if congestion makes access to businesses to difficult.
Recipient’s name and address
King County: Not For Profit Entity
King County Courthouse
516 Third Ave, Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
Superior Court Criminal Tracking System, $2 million;
King County is the 12th most populous county in the country and its criminal justice system handles hundreds of thousands of felony and misdemeanor cases each year. Currently, there is no information system that provides comprehensive data regarding the individuals moving through criminal justice system. As a result, critical decisions are made based upon fragments of information that do not provide the complete picture.
King County Superior Court is proposing a pilot project to develop a single information system that would provide comprehensive data sharing among criminal justice agencies and the courts. This would include the Superior, District, and Municipal courts in King County, state and local law enforcement, state and local detention and probation services, the King County Prosecutor and State Attorney General, as well as the Department of Social and Health Services.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because these organizations need to share data in a manner that allows judges, prosecutors, law enforcement and detention agencies to make informed decisions about and track the progress of criminals moving through the criminal justice system, while simultaneously protecting organization-specific information. Technology has advanced to the point that this need can be met. This project would demonstrate the viability of such a system despite historical challenges.
The pilot project would establish the technological infrastructure to improve the quality of data sharing for the criminal justice system. Information regarding project outcomes including applications, technical architectures and lessons-learned would be made available to other jurisdictions throughout the country.
Recipient’s name and address
King County: Not For Profit Entity
King County Courthouse
516 Third Ave, Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
Downtown Transit Tunnel Security; $1.6 million:
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the project provides protection for critical transportation infrastructure in the Greater Seattle Area by obtaining equipment to prevent a terror attack in the downtown Seattle transit tunnel.
In 2003, and continuing through 2005 when the tunnel was closed for the light rail retrofit, employees and customers reported possible terrorist surveillance activities directed against the DSRTT. The FBI has said it is highly likely that the activity was surveillance. In addition, local intelligence agencies have indicated that photos of the DSRTT have been discovered on computers in Southwest Asia. Based on tabletop modeling and exercises conducted with the Seattle Police and Fire Departments, King County Sheriff's Office, and the FBI, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological/Nuclear, and Explosive Incidents (CBRNE) terrorist attack against the DSRTT will likely result in the following:
- mass casualties;
- near complete disruption of transportation in Seattle with major effects throughout the Central Puget Sound Region;
- potential collapse of CBD surface streets and buildings;
- limited or no use of the Burlington Northern tunnel complex through which over 70% of West Coast freight passes; and
- closure of key access points to Interstates 5 and 90.
Due to the results of the modeling and exercises, the Regional Transportation Security Strategy has identified the acquisition of a WMD/CBRNE agent detection system as a critical priority for the DSRTT. The Seattle Police Department (SPD) and Seattle Fire Department (SFD) have expressed strong support for this system and are actively partnering with Metro in this program.
King County Sheriff’s Office: 2 requests
Recipient’s name and address
King County Sheriff’s Office: Not For Profit Entity
516 Third Avenue, W150 KC Courthouse
Seattle, Washington 98104
Gang Intervention Initiative: $500,000:
In addition to the existing Gang Intervention Initiative, the KCSO is launching a new Gang Intervention and Juvenile Detention Diversion Program. The current Gang Intervention Initiative will be a major linchpin of this initiative aimed at preventing juvenile gang activity through intervention, mentoring, education, and enforcement. Through a collaborative approach, this new program will leverage and coordinate the expertise and resources of the King County Sheriff’s Office, county government, the courts, non-profit organizations, and the community to address the challenges of gangs and juvenile delinquency in a proactive and comprehensive manner.
Requested funds will help facilitate the implementation of this innovative overarching initiative while enabling the KCSO to continue maintaining and enhancing its gang unit and gang intelligence-gathering activities.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because as a result of standing up a specialized gang unit and developing gang intelligence-gathering capability, the citizens of King County will have more effective and targeted gang prevention and intervention strategies. Communities that target their strategies with specialized units around suppression, prevention, and treatment have greater success in preventing and stopping gang-related violence and crime, as well as keeping at-risk youth out of gangs.
Recipient’s name and address
King County Sheriff’s Office: Not For Profit Entity
516 Third Avenue, W150 KC Courthouse
Seattle, Washington 98104
School Resource Officer’s Program: $550,000;
The effectiveness of the program is measured in positive crime statistics and trends, including the number of crimes that are prevented with the help of tips and other information, number of classes taught, and other factors.
Funding, if approved, will enable the KCSO to maintain the current SRO program and meet the growing needs of King County schools and the expectations of parents and guardians regarding school safety. Funds will be used to hire additional SROs to protect students, teachers, administrators, and support staff.
In addition to the existing School Resource Officer’s Program, the KCSO is launching a new Gang Intervention and Juvenile Detention Diversion Program. The SRO program will be a major linchpin of this initiative aimed at preventing juvenile gang activity through intervention, mentoring, education, and enforcement. Through a collaborative approach, this program will leverage and coordinate the expertise and resources of the King County Sheriff’s Office, county government, the courts, non-profit organizations, and the community to address the challenges of gangs and juvenile delinquency in a proactive and comprehensive manner.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because School Resource Officers (SROs) are a vital resource to schools as they help develop safety and security policies, provide law enforcement in schools, and even teach classes.
Requested by King County schools, SROs are an integral part of the school community and help ensure a safe environment conducive to learning.
SROs have taken on an increasingly important role in addressing Internet stalking; safety and cyber crime education and prevention; anti-bullying education; and gang interdiction, including prevention, intelligence, and intervention.
In addition, the Gang Intervention and Juvenile Detention Diversion program will leverage and coordinate the expertise and resources of the King County Sheriff’s Office, county government, the courts, non-profit organizations, and the community to address the challenges of gangs and juvenile delinquency in a proactive and comprehensive manner.
Recipient’s name and address:
Seattle Public Schools: Not For Profit Entity
PO Box 34165
Seattle, WA 98124-1165
International Education: Mandarin Teacher Program; $300,000:
To prepare American students for college, work and the world it is necessary they have the necessary tools to compete in the global economy. International Education, which includes teaching global perspectives, world languages, and academic rigor/excellence, can provide these tools to the students of Seattle. As the economies of countries of the Pacific Rim, especially China, become increasingly intertwined with the interests and economy of the United States, it is critical that our school-age generation have the means to succeed.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because to be successful in the 21st Century, students need to knowledgeable of other cultures, be proficient in world languages, to have sophisticated communication skills, strong problem solving ability, be innovative and have higher level thinking skills. These are the goals of an International Education. The target languages of an International Education are Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish. Japanese and Mandarin are two of the least taught languages. The Fund for the Improvement of Educational Programs of National Significance would be a perfect match for supporting our initiative.
Recipient’s name and address
Seattle Central Community College: Not For Profit Entity
1701 Broadway
Seattle, WA 98122
Dr. Mildred Ollee, President
Regional Community Health Education Center (RCHEC) – planning assistance funds; $300,000 as part of an anticipated $1,134,000 planning expense for a $120-$130 million Regional Community Health Education Cente (RCHEC).
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because this Center provides the opportunity to bring secondary, two-year community colleges, and four-year institutions of higher learning together to collaboratively plan and implement programs that meet this region’s nursing and other healthcare worker shortages.
The RCHEC will be a multi-building complex comprised of 2-year and 4-year health education programs (involving several two-year and four-year schools), community clinics (medical, dental and mental health), student support services, and workforce housing. RCHEC is to be located adjacent to Sound Transit’s Broadway and Denny light rail station, positioning it to be part a comprehensive, “Transit-Oriented-Development” effort.
It is anticipated that the project will create approximately 200,000 square feet of space for health education programs, community clinics, and student support services; in addition, approximately 400,000 square feet of workforce housing and retail space.
A vision/concept paper has been submitted to numerous stakeholders throughout Seattle and the region. Response has been overwhelmingly in favor of such a development.
The College is now seeking funds to translate the vision/concept into actual development and master planning for construction.
Seattle University: 3 requests
Recipient’s name and address
Seattle University: Not For Profit Entity
901 12th Ave.
P.O. Box 222000
Seattle, WA 98122-1090
Nursing Teaching and Leadership Program; $3,000,000
(includes Lab and classroom expansion); According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) report on 2007-2008 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing, U.S. nursing schools turned away 40,285 qualified applicants from the nursing programs in 2007. Almost three quarters of the nursing schools responding to the survey pointed to faculty shortages as a reason for not accepting qualified applicants (AACN, 2008). A total of 814 faculty vacancies were identified nationwide.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because Seattle University views meeting this demand as part of its core mission – teaching and leadership – and is committed to hiring more faculty and staff, creating new openings for undergraduate and graduate level nursing students, expanding program development and clinical opportunities, and acquiring more equipment and supplies to meet student needs. Since 2000, Seattle University has experienced a 92% increase in nursing enrollments.
Some of our immediate goals include recruiting faculty (our top priority) and expanding the capacity of the Clinical Performance Lab and faculty to use simulation materials in order to prepare students better for clinical practice. We also need to expand our partnership agreements with clinical agencies at a time of increasing competition from other nursing programs and mandated 8:1 ratios of students to faculty in the hospitals.
We will not be able to increase enrollment without additional faculty and appropriate clinical agency placements.
Recipient’s name and address
Seattle University: Not For Profit Entity
901 12th Ave.
P.O. Box 222000
Seattle, WA 98122-1090
Science and Engineering Program; $1,500,000:
The 2006 Benchmarking Report by The Technology Alliance and the 2006-2007 Prosperity Partnership Report assert Washington State is less competitive than its peer states due to the relatively low number of bachelor’s degrees granted in science and engineering. Nationally, upwards of 60% of freshman engineering students drop out or change majors. With declining numbers of students, America is becoming more dependent on foreign-born engineering professionals.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because Seattle University is committed to reversing this trend. Ranked 33rd nationwide among undergraduate engineering colleges by U.S. New & World Report, it is expanding and upgrading science and engineering laboratories and classrooms so that it may produce more science, engineering, forensic science, and nursing graduates. In fact, between 1991 and 2005 the number of laboratory-science-based majors increased 90%, and enrollment projections indicate the university must make further increases in lab sections in order to keep up with demand.
Recipient’s name and address
Seattle University: Not For Profit Entity
901 12th Ave.
P.O. Box 222000
Seattle, WA 98122-1090
Fostering Scholars Program; $500,000
The nation’s support of the growing population of youth in foster care is lacking by any measure and as a result, thousands of young people are not reaching the educational and life outcomes that they each deserve. The sobering statistics on former foster youth employment confirm the narrow scope of opportunity that awaits undereducated youth. In a recent study, within one year of emancipation, 43 percent of former foster youth were employed and 45 percent were looking for work. Of those employed 47 percent were making wages at or below the poverty line. The prospects for this group do not improve with time: at four years after emancipation, 50 percent of former foster youth were unemployed. (Foster Youth Transition to Independence Study, Office of Children’s Administration Research, DSHS, 2004).
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because: In the Jesuit tradition of social justice, Seattle University established the Fostering Scholars Program in 2006 with the assistance of Marta and Lucio Dalla Gasperina, foster youth advocates and parents of two Seattle University students. The program provides full-tuition scholarships to foster children who have aged out of the foster care system. In its first year, the program awarded scholarships to seven students – four freshmen and three junior transfer students. In its second year, the program awarded 12 students. In the third year, 10 new students were awarded, 1 graduated, for a total of 19 served overall. With the establishment of the Fostering Scholars Endowment, the University hopes to award scholarships to an additional 10-14 students over the next two years.
Students are selected based on demonstrated academic success, involvement in extracurricular activities and community service, and an ability to persevere through extraordinary challenges. Foster care youth have already shown tremendous leadership in their young lives, including leadership from within themselves to overcome tremendous obstacles. The Fostering Scholars Program is the opportunity of a lifetime for these foster youth. These students will be powerful contributors to the community in the future. As part of its mission, Seattle University places a strong emphasis on empowering leaders for a just and humane world.
Recognizing how difficult it is for foster children to get a solid college education, the scholarship also provides year-round room and board, health insurance, personal support, a program of cohort and leadership development, work-study jobs, an opportunity to study abroad, access to tutoring, therapy and counseling as needed, and the benefit of an emergency funds. Students also receive guidance from the Fostering Scholars Director in accessing the myriad of student development programs on campus ranging from the Office of Multicultural Affairs programs to intramural sports and from student academic support services to community service opportunities.
While enrolled at Seattle University, Fostering Scholars are expected to make progress toward a degree and the attainment of life and leadership skills needed for independent and fulfilled living. The financial and emotional support these students receive while attending Seattle University will allow them to concentrate on their academic achievements without the worries that so many youth face after aging out of foster care.
This past year generous private donations in the sum of $1,200,000 and the renewal of a $450,000 grant from the Stuart Foundation, a national leader for children and youth, continue to make the program possible. Additionally, Seattle University’s partnerships with state leaders in foster care advocacy, Treehouse and the College Success Foundation, are critical to the program’s success. In order to create viable options in higher education for former foster youth, Seattle University is committed to forging community and governmental partnerships to help prepare foster youth for attending and graduating from college. Seattle University recognizes how important educational access is for all young people today, and is committed to making the college dream possible for the most vulnerable of our youth – those exiting the foster care system.
University of Washington: 7 requests
Recipient’s name and address
University of Washington: Not For Profit Entity
301 Gerberding Hall
Seattle, WA 98195
Institute for Simulation and Interprofessional Studies; $6.38 million
ISIS enables the use of simulation technologies to improve the quality of health care education and to improve patient safety. ISIS has a regional WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho) and Department of Defense mission, which enables financial benefits for all partners through the use of shared resources. Further, the enhancements in patient safety that ISIS permits serve to reduce medical expenses. This funding will allow ISIS to expand its capabilities, enhance its relationship with the Andersen Simulation Center, located at the Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC), and demonstrate through a regional model how healthcare skills training can be distributed throughout the Department of Defense.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because ISIS enables the use of simulation technologies to improve the quality of health care education and to improve patient safety. ISIS has a regional WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho) and Department of Defense mission, which enables financial benefits for all partners through the use of shared resources. Further, the enhancements in patient safety that ISIS permits serve to reduce medical expenses.
Technologies will be combined with other innovative curricula, such as interdisciplinary team training, and with objective assessment methodologies to dramatically improve proficiency, including for treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI/PTSD) in collaboration with MAMC-ASC (Anderson Simulation Center), the WTU and the VA Integrated (Health Provider) Service network (VA VISN20).
Recipient’s name and address
University of Washington: Not For Profit Entity
301 Gerberding Hall
Seattle, WA 98195
House of Knowledge: A Longhouse-style Facility at the University of Washington; $1 million;
The University of Washington House of Knowledge (HOK) Project will build a longhouse-style facility on the University of Washington's campus. The HOK will be an approximately 19,000 square foot facility that offers a multi-service learning and gathering space for Native American students, faculty and staff, and others of various cultures and communities to come together in a supporting and welcoming educational environment to share their knowledge and their cultures with one another.
The intent of the HOK is to preserve, advance and disseminate knowledge. The facility would assist in the advancement of knowledge of the indigenous culture of the region. The facility and its programming would provide an imaginative environment of the original inhabitants of the area and promote intercultural exchange and diversity.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the University of Washington enjoys global recognition as “one of the preeminent research institutions in the world.” The House of Knowledge will aid the UW in becoming a model for utilizing research in partnership with tribal nations to strengthen programs in health, environment and economic vitality that can help Native American communities across the country. As such, the University is in an enviable position to demonstrate effective ways to diversify its campus. These efforts to do so include a thoughtful and deliberate process to add a longhouse-style building. That process builds on an ongoing dialogue between the UW, Tribes, and tribal organizations which has produced scores of collaborations benefiting tribal members and other citizens of Washington and the region. The 2007 Annual Tribal Leaders Summit, convened by University President Mark Emmert, illustrated the University’s commitment to that ongoing conversation and the House of Knowledge.
Recipient’s name and address
University of Washington: Not For Profit Entity
301 Gerberding Hall
Seattle, WA 98195
WA State Biofuels Industry Development; $1 million;
The University of Washington’s Center for Biofuels is working on processes to convert Washington mixed biomass sources into transportation fuels. However, the center is lacking critical equipment and lab facilities to do the comprehensive research that is necessary to design a commercial scale facility. Acquisition of the required equipment would provide for the establishment of a world class research laboratory and a comprehensive services laboratory that Washington state commercial operations will need to optimize and refine their processes.
The University has already provided for lab renovations to jump start this initiative. Federal funding would be used to purchase critical equipment such as a high pressure steam reactor with decompression capability and boiler; analytical equipment especially designed for biofuels analysis; a high pressure catalytic reactor; and a high pressure fuel injection system.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because twenty years from now biofuels will be a major global industry. A modern and comprehensive laboratory that will enable the University to reach our goal of being a leader in the basic and applied research is needed to attract biofuels companies to our state and region. The result will be new companies locating in the state of Washington so they can take advantage of the resources, engineers, and scientists produced by this project.
Recipient’s name and address
University of Washington: Not For Profit Entity
301 Gerberding Hall
Seattle, WA 98195
Puget Sound Ecosystem Research Initiative; $2.13 million;
The Puget Sound Ecosystem Research Initiative (PSERI) Council will focus regional, national, and international scientific talent on tangible and finite issues relevant to the Puget Sound restoration through close coordination with the Puget Sound Partnership (PSP). The Council models its activities after the National Research Council and facilitates independent and transparent expert panels in collecting, analyzing and sharing information and knowledge. As commissioned by the PSP and others, the Council organizes (1) panels of experts from the UW, other academic institutions, state and federal agencies, and private research organizations to develop focused consensus findings, (2) meetings and workshops that explore specific areas of scientific or technical uncertainty, and (3) seminars and publications that communicate findings and stimulate dialogue with the broader community. The leadership of the PSERI would be co-located with the PSP to ensure collaborative and efficient communication and planning.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because durable ecosystem restoration projects that leave positive legacies for future generations require support by local communities, effective policies, appropriate legislation, long-term financing, and a host of intangible factors. They also require access to scientific and technological expertise and understanding. Lessons learned from other regional restoration projects, including the Florida Everglades, Chesapeake Bay, and the Great Lakes, point to the need for an on-going mechanism for engaging the regional and national scientific experts focused on the region.
Effective integration of the science with the PSP Action Agenda will provide a new national model for succinctly and unambiguously justifying and describing individual indicators, their metrics, performance measures, targets, and research findings and gaps, and at the same time will lead to a much more effective Action Agenda for the protection and restoration of Puget Sound.
Recipient’s name and address
University of Washington: Not For Profit Entity
301 Gerberding Hall
Seattle, WA 98195
Integrated Transportation Lab and Research Program; $2 million;
The Integrated Lab would consolidate an existing simulation lab, freight logistics lab, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and traffic operations lab and a proposed engineering visualization lab. The space would provide state of the art computing and communications facilities to aid research and teaching, facilitate collaboration and foster information transfer. This integrated facility would permit an integrated approach to today’s transportation problems which could offer more holistic solutions, promote better interaction between disciplines and train the engineers of the future. The research funding would be used for work in areas that require a multi-disciplinary approach such as: smart infrastructure, rapid construction techniques, sustainable transportation infrastructure, port and border security systems, traffic simulation models, and freight operations and management.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the transportation problems of today and the future require a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates the expertise and skills of many types of researchers. For example, to turn the highway system into a utility that generates electricity, and can be supplied to a future fleet of "green" vehicles, requires collaboration by people with skills in urban planning, transportation engineering, electrical engineering and infrastructure construction. The University of Washington's Integrated Transportation Lab and Research Program will bring researchers and students from these diverse disciplines together so they can collaborate on solutions to the challenges of the future. The Lab will also play a key role in giving future transportation leaders the knowledge needed to make the crucial decisions that will preserve our mobility and economic health.
Recipient’s name and address
University of Washington: Not For Profit Entity
301 Gerberding Hall
Seattle, WA 98195
Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center: UW and OSU are requesting $5 million total. However, the UW share of the total will be $1.2 million;
The Northwest Marine Renewable Energy Center is a partnership between Oregon State University and the University of Washington. OSU will direct the Center and focus its efforts on applied research for wave energy. The UW will focus on research specific to tidal energy. The two universities will leverage their expertise and experience to accelerate the development of ocean energy.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because all research findings will be made available to local, state and federal agencies to make informed policy decisions. In addition, the NW Center will share its findings (via workshops, conferences, publications, online information, etc.) with industry partners (developers, fabricators, operators, etc.) to further advance the wave energy and tidal industry and facilitate commercialization. Lastly, research findings will inform the industry on best practices for maintenance and quality control. Collectively, the initiatives of the proposed NW Center will contribute to increasing the technical, societal and environmental benefits of marine renewable energy, ultimately advancing their cost-competitiveness.
Recipient’s name and address
University of Washington: Not For Profit Entity
301 Gerberding Hall
Seattle, WA 98195
UW Bothell Nursing Faculty Consortium Training Program; $500,000:
The UW Bothell Nursing Faculty Consortium Training Program is aimed at increasing the number of master's prepared nursing faculty available to teach in Washington's community and technical colleges. This would be accomplished through a consortium of associate degree nursing programs in partnership with UW Bothell. The innovative method to accomplish this is by developing and enhancing partnerships with area community and technical college nursing programs, which will employ these novice faculty members. This program has doubled the capacity of the UW Bothell Master of Nursing program and is providing scholarship support to students currently teaching at consortia colleges while at the same time pursuing their master’s degrees. The final crucial element is establishment of a support system that will assure students are successful in completing their master’s degrees and in providing leadership for the next generation of nurses in Washington state.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the overall goal of the project is to recruit, train, and support graduate nursing students who will then take faculty positions with schools of nursing at area community and technical colleges. The expected result is to have a sufficient number of well-trained nursing instructors at the community and technical college level to meet the demand for nursing degrees, and thus the demand for practicing nurses in the community.
The project addresses the current nursing shortage that extends well beyond direct clinical care to include a critical shortage of qualified nursing faculty across the country. Just last year, the Washington Health Care Personnel Shortage Task Force reported that they received 37 requests for waivers of faculty qualifications because faculty could not be recruited who met the minimum nursing accreditation requirements of a master’s degree in nursing. More recent communication with nursing program directors from our consortium schools indicates a need for more than 25 full-time faculty and many more part-time clinical faculty appointments to fill vacancies for the 2009-10 academic year. This project is currently filling many of these positions with graduate students and will begin to fill them with fully accredited nursing faculty by the 2010-11 academic year.
Recipient’s name and address
USDA ARS Wheat Genetics, Quality Physiology & Disease Research Unit: Not For Profit Entity
209 Johnson Hall, WSU
Pullman, WA 99164-6420
Cereal Rust Disease Initiative; $5 million:
Highly virulent and aggressive new races of stem, leaf, and stripe rust have appeared in the world, which now threaten the entire US production of wheat, barley, and oats. Nearly all US spring wheat varieties are susceptible to the new African stem rust race ‘Ug99’, placing 16 million acres of production at risk. Over 75% of US winter wheat acreage, nearly 25 million acres, also is considered highly vulnerable. Ug99 was confirmed in Iran in 2007 and is poised to move into the agricultural areas of Pakistan and India, where over 75% of the wheat grown is considered highly susceptible.
According to the requestor this is a good use of public funds because It is only a matter of time before Ug99 reaches the US. An aggressive, coordinated research effort is needed to identify and introduce new germplasm, genes, and varieties with improved and sustainable rust resistance. The USDA-ARS must take the leadership role in this effort, but scientific resources of the entire small grain research community must be mobilized to prevent devastating losses in grain production.
Recipient’s name and address
Washington State University: Not For Profit Entity
DEPT OF CROP AND SOIL SCIENCES
JOHNSON 273
PULLMAN, WA 99164-6420
Enhancing Barley through Genomics; $160,000:
The purpose of this project is to stimulate economic activity and improve human health and welfare by using the tools of genomics to develop improved barley varieties. Genomics is an umbrella term defining the study of naturally occurring genetic variation using the latest tools of biotechnology. Barley is unique in that in addition to its economic importance as a crop, it is also a model genetic system. A vigorous public sector research community, in cooperation with the private sector, has developed a robust set of genomics and molecular breeding tools.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public money because these discoveries in basic biology will be used in practical applications to develop varieties more tolerant of stresses caused by diseases, insects, and climate change, leading to greater productivity with fewer inputs. Agronomic improvements will be coupled with the superior quality needed to compete in domestic and world markets.
Recipient’s name and address
USDA/ARS - Western Wheat Quality Laboratory: Not For Profit Entity
E-202 Food Science & Human Nutrition Facility East
P.O. Box 646394, Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-6394
Enhancing Wheat Quality, Competitiveness, Security, and Sustainability; $650,000:
Global demand for wheat food products is growing at a faster rate than world production, which is increasingly vulnerable to emerging disease and climate change. Researchers must rapidly develop, apply, and deploy new technologies that improve productivity, disease and insect resistance, quality, and sustainability of our wheat production systems. Four USDA-ARS regional wheat quality laboratories are largely responsible for sustaining the processing and product qualities of US wheat; attributes which are critical to our domestic and international food industries. Additional funding for these laboratories is needed to keep pace with growing research demands and variety development efforts needed to stabilize the increasingly volatile US and global wheat food supply.
Immediate action must be taken to expand the scope, efficiency, and accuracy of food and product quality evaluations at USDA-ARS wheat quality laboratories. Resources must be allocated to support rapid development of higher yielding wheat varieties with improved disease resistance, stress tolerance, and market acceptable end-use quality.
Recipient’s name and address
USDA Agriculture Research Service (ARS): Not For Profit Entity
Washington State University
Pullman, WA
USDA-ARS Regional Small Grains Molecular Genotyping Laboratory; $1.2 million:
A major gap remains between the discovery of molecular information and the use of that information in practical wheat, barley, and oat improvement programs. In order to counter threats to the nation’s crops from natural or maliciously introduced pathogens and maintain our position in the world marketplace, plant breeders must be equipped with gene-specific markers that give them rapid access to traits of value.
According to the requestor this is a good use of taxpayer funds because the mission of this laboratory fits the mission of the USDA Agricultural Research Service to conduct research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority and provide information access and dissemination to ensure high-quality, safe food, and other agricultural products; assess the nutritional needs of Americans; sustain a competitive agricultural economy; enhance the natural resource base and the environment; and provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and society as a whole.
Recipient’s name and address
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Not For Profit Entity
Project point of contact
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Waterfowl Section Manager
Olympia, WA 98501
Southwest Washington – Northwest Oregon Canada Goose Depredation Control; $2.0 million:
Numbers of Canada geese in southwest Washington and northwest Oregon have increased dramatically in the past 20 years, due to shifts in distribution from traditional wintering areas. This has led to increased goose damage on private lands, increased complaints, and conversion of goose habitat to other uses. Activities to be funded will be targeted in Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon, as described in the attached summary of Annual Program Needs.
To address the economic impacts to landowners of increased Canada goose numbers in southwest Washington, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) participates in the NW Oregon / SW Washington Canada Goose Depredation Working Group, composed of fish and wildlife agencies, USDA-Wildlife Services, and Farm Bureau representatives in this region. This group developed the NW Oregon / SW Canada Goose Agricultural Depredation Control Plan, which has helped to achieve goose control objectives since its inception 10 years ago.
Existing programs have been inadequate to control economic losses to southwest Washington agricultural landowners, which are becoming more significant given the current downturn in some commodity prices and the economy in general. The proposed program will add local jobs, provide new contracts to area landowners for farming on public lands, and develop a real estate easement program to retain local farms.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because Canada geese have shared management responsibility among state agencies with the federal government through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture, including control of agricultural damage. However, since 2003, almost all management responsibilities to reduce agricultural damage in southwest Washington have been funded by State agencies, through ongoing hunting programs that serve to reduce the use of agricultural areas by wintering geese.
Washington Health Foundation: 2 requests
Recipient’s name and address
Washington Health Foundation: Not For Profit Entity
600 Stewart; Suite 601
Seattle, WA 98101
Prevention Initiative within The Healthiest State in the Nation Campaign: $900,000:
The Prevention Initiative addresses an area that our state needs to improve if we are to become The Healthiest State in the Nation. We are fortunate to have national leaders, such as Fred Hutchinson, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and PEMCO, and locally-prized institutions, including PeaceHealth, MultiCare and First Choice, on board and investing significantly in this component to the Campaign to the tune of $260,000.
This initiative is in the initial phase and a performance partnership has developed that includes three specific parts:
-Expand the Prevention Initiative Performance Partnership with an emphasis on increasing our engagement strategies.
-Overlay key message streams with social marketing.
-Removal of access to barriers.
Please take a look at the attachments to get a betters sense of this bold initiative to improve our woeful ranking of 32nd in the country when it comes to receiving preventive care.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because “Preventing disease” is one of HHS’ top priorities. This is exactly what this project is all about.
Recipient’s name and address
Washington Health Foundation: Not For Profit Entity
600 Stewart; Suite 601
Seattle, WA 98101
Health Home within The Healthiest State in the Nation Campaign: $500,000:
With the help of several key partners such as Swedish Health Services and the Office of the Washington State Attorney General, in 2009 WHF is leading a Health Home Initiative, designed to measure outcomes, with the belief that every Washingtonian should have a Health Home as defined above. The State Attorney General felt so strongly about the Health Home Initiative that he authorized $400,000 in support of it. This is one of the three major focuses of WHF in 2009-2010, and potentially beyond. WHF believes that the Health Home Initiative has the potential of serving as a model for the nation.
The Health Home Initiative is configured on an IT platform, and in 2009 its target markets include young adults, women/moms and Latinos. A comprehensive marketing and outreach program will accompany the development of the IT components.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because “Health information technology” is a priority for HHS. As you can see, that is the frame that we are starting and ending with.
Washington National Guard: 2 requests
Recipient’s name and address
Washington Military Department: Not For Profit Entity
Building 1
Camp Murray WA 98430-5000
Western Regional Counter Drug Training Center—Washington State; $2.5 million;
In order to secure the location of the Western Regional Training Center in Washington State we request $2.5M to hire an initial cadre of professional National Guard instructors, and modernize and expand our training facilities. $1.6 M will be allocated for instructor and administrative pay and allowance (to include travel and contracting for instruction), with $900,000 allocated for necessary training facility modernization and education and training technology innovations. Investing $2.5M on the initial outset will defray future operating costs in addition to creating a world-class multi-use training and education center.
Recipient’s name and address
Washington Military Department: Not For Profit Entity
Building 1
Camp Murray WA 98430-5000
-Tactical Operations Center;$2.3 million;
The Washington National Guard is frequently called upon to protect lives and property during state emergencies, however, we do not have any assets dedicated to domestic operations. The federal equipment that we do operate can be (and is) deployed on a regular basis making it unavailable for state emergencies.
The acquisition of a Command and Control (C2) communications vehicle and a C2 field shelter will allow the National Guard to quickly and efficiently respond to any natural or man-made disaster. When a disaster occurs, the C2 vehicle will rapidly deploy to the scene to establish communications, guide follow-on forces and liaison with other first responders. The Joint Task Force Headquarters will follow and set up the C2 field shelter and communications package.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the Washington Military Department’s mission is to protect lives and property while minimizing the disaster impact on communities, the environment, and the economy of Washington State. We provide a trained and ready force for state and federal missions; and offer structured alternative education opportunities for at risk youth.
Acquisition of the Domestic Operations Response Equipment will enable the Military Department to fulfill their mission to the people of the state of Washington.
Washington State University: 6 requests
Recipient’s name and address
Washington State University: Not For Profit Entity
French Ad., Rm. 422
PO Box 641048
Pullman, WA 99164-1048
Protecting the Pacific Northwest Grape and Wine Industry from Plant Viruses; $300,000;
This proposal seeks sufficient funding to maintain competitiveness and health of this industry: (a) to provide a backup facility for the Foundation Plant Service Grape Program at the University of California, Davis, and (b) to address imminent changes of federal rules under impending World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations. These rules would require states to drop plant quarantines for viruses and phylloxera if the state is unable to support the quarantine with data and require certified plant material sold within the state. An updated foundation block with currently desired selections and clones would meet the certification requirements.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because this project addresses an immediate high-priority need, recognized by the regional industry and WSU scientists, and will create a solid base for long-term growth of the industry.
The USDA CSREES role is to facilitate needed agriculture research to meet national and regional needs.
Recipient’s name and address
Washington State University: Not For Profit Entity
French Ad., Rm. 422
PO Box 641048
Pullman, WA 99164-1048
Organic Farming Research for the Northwest; $500,000:
Organic farming is providing growers with a potential means to address farm economic viability, environmental stewardship, farm-worker safety, and pesticide residue issues facing agriculture today. There is growing demand nationally by consumers for organic foods. Washington State is a leading national producer of organic tree fruits, processed vegetables, and herbs.
The systems, methods, and products under investigation by this program are used not only by certified organic and transitional organic farms but also increasingly by conventional producers as economic, environmental, safety, and market pressures increase. Most organic pest-control materials and fertilizers currently are manufactured by small businesses that lack resources to research and register their products. Providing field testing and unbiased information therefore aids both manufacturers and users of these products.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because WSU is already active in the areas of insect pest management, soil fertility and nutrient management, plant breeding, and grower training and education for the organic sector.
The USDA CSREES role is to facilitate needed agriculture research to meet national and regional needs.
Recipient’s name and address
Washington State University: Not For Profit Entity
French Ad., Rm. 422
PO Box 641048
Pullman, WA 99164-1048
Washington Agricultural Competitiveness (IMPACT/CINTRAFOR); $1.0 million:
The IMPACT Center applies science and technology to improve the competitiveness of U.S. and Pacific Northwest (PNW) agriculture by determining new export marketing opportunities; assessing the effects of changes in agricultural and trade policies as well as changing consumer preferences (including towards GMOs) on exports; solving technical problems (such as sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) restrictions, technical barriers to trade (TBTs), diseases, insects, and health and safety regulations) that impede exports and affect national security; developing innovative uses for agricultural by-products and bio-products; assessing the effects of changes in agricultural and trade policies as well as changing consumer preferences (including towards GMOs and bio-products) on exports; and developing new products, processes, technologies, or strategies for increased agricultural exports.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because export opportunities are crucial to the prices and incomes received by Pacific Northwest farmers and processors and are of major benefit to rural economies and the national balance of payments. IMPACT receives matching state appropriations and private-sector funds for specific projects. Future funding goals are to increase the funding level of the IMPACT Center to meet increased research demands needed to improve the competitiveness of PNW agriculture in the world marketplace.
The USDA CSREES role is to facilitate needed agriculture research to meet national and regional needs.
Recipient’s name and address
Washington State University: Not For Profit Entity
French Ad., Rm. 422
PO Box 641048
Pullman, WA 99164-1048
Project
Food Security; $400,000:
To ensure citizens of Washington and the nation have a safe and sustainable food supply. To create new products and technologies that will develop into robust industries, providing economic opportunity and food system security to Washington and the nation. To increase WSU’s research capacity for creating value-added foods, fibers, and other bioproducts, while maintaining safety and security, we will forge a collaborative research program that encompasses plant and animal scientists, food scientists and engineers, bioproducts scientists and engineers, food safety experts, and economists.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the result of this effort will be teams that address specific opportunities and needs for Washington and the nation. The USDA CSREES role is to facilitate needed agriculture research to meet national and regional needs.
Recipient’s name and address
Washington State University: Not For Profit Entity
French Ad., Rm. 422
PO Box 641048
Pullman, WA 99164-1048
Development and Feasibility of Perennial Wheat for Highly Erodible Lands; $4.37 million;
WSU and its partners Targeted Growth and Inventure will develop a process whereby algae biomass is harvested and processed for the production of biofuel and chemical raw materials, such as isocyanates, required for the production and market of polyurethane products.
Targeted Growth will develop cyanobacteria strains that will have a disproportionately high percentage of amino acid precursors that can be converted into isocyanates and subsequently into polyurethane, and strains that develop other chemical intermediates.
WSU will develop the bioreactor technology and integrated growth systems necessary to efficiently grow these strains at large-scale and also maximize lipid production, nutrient recycle, and carbon use and flux.
WSU will develop an algae-based biofuel research facility that other biofuel and bioproduct companies within the state, region and nation can utilize.
Inventure will develop the extraction, processing and catalyst technology that can transform the amino acids and other biomass of the cyanobacteria into isocyanates and other valuable co-products along side its already patented process for extraction and transformation of lipids into fuels and chemicals.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because WSU, Target Growth and Inventure are member of the Washington State Algae Alliance, this project will allow for maximum parallel investigations and creation of important synergisms only possible through coordinated, multidisciplinary research and sharing of particular expertise. In addition, expertise will be developed and capacity will be built that can be leveraged towards other algal species and products.
Recipient’s name and address
Washington State University: Not For Profit Entity
French Ad., Rm. 422
PO Box 641048
Pullman, WA 99164-1048
Agriculture Research Service Laboratory; $48 million:
Build and ARS laboratory in Pullman, Washington. USDA’s Agriculture Research Service has 6 plant research units located at Pullman, Washington. Currently there are over 60 federal employees assigned to these units, they work in offices, laboratories, and on research land at Washington State University. ARS determined in 2003 that the current facility was not adequate and recommended that a new laboratory for these research units should be built in Pullman, Washington.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the national needs that are met by this request are the support of the 10 plant science units providing national and regional research from the Pullman, WA location:
Air Quality
Crop Protection & Quarantine
Global Change
Integrated Farming Systems
Plant Biological and Molecular Processing
Plant Diseases
Plant Genetic Resources, Genomics and Genetic Improvement
Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products
Soil Resource Management
Water Availability and Water Management
The mission of the USDA, ARS is to conduct agriculture research, this facility will house the federal employees of USDA, ARS.
Recipient’s name and address
Allen Institute for Brain Science: Not For Profit Entity
551 N. 34th St.
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 548-7000
The Allen Brain Atlas – Human Brain; $3 million:
The Allen Institute for Brain Science, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit medical research organization based in Seattle, Washington, requests an appropriation for FY 2009 of $3.0 million to support the Allen Human Brain Atlas, which will create a comprehensive three-dimensional map detailing genes at work in the human brain. The first ever Human Brain Atlas will survey selected genes in the genome and reveal where each gene is expressed, or “turned-on” within specific cells.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because such information will provide unprecedented insights into gene-related diseases, as well as the use of potential drug therapies for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Autism, Epilepsy, Schizophrenia, Parkinson’s and drug addiction. All data and appropriate tools will be offered free on the Web with total open access.
The goal of this one-of-a-kind project is to create a comprehensive three-dimensional map detailing genes at work in the human brain, surveying all genes in the genome and revealing where each gene is expressed or “turned on”. Knowing where genes are “turned on” is critical in the development of drug therapies. Such information can provide unprecedented insights into how Alzheimer’s, Autism, Epilepsy, Schizophrenia, Drug Addiction or other brain disease-related genes are involved in the disease and how best to intervene therapeutically. It will also be an important tool in the area of treatment of traumatic brain injuries and brain tumors. As with other Institute projects, all data and associated tools will be made freely and publicly available on the Web to encourage widespread use and collaboration.
The Allen Institute is taking a completely novel approach to mapping the human brain. For the first time, the Institute will overlay comprehensive, genome-wide genetic information onto a detailed, 3-dimensional anatomic map of the human brain. Again, all data and associated tools will be available freely and publicly on the Web to help researchers and physicians worldwide understand brain diseases and disorders and develop therapeutic treatments.
Objective 4.2 of the HHS Strategic Plan is to “ Increase basic scientific knowledge to improve human health and human development”. The Allen Institute Human Brain Atlas will do precisely that.
Recipient’s name and address
Capitol Hill Housing: Not For Profit Entity
1406 10th Ave. – suite 101
Seattle, WA 98122
Capitol Hill East Precinct Development Project; $725,000:
The Capitol Hill East Precinct Development Project is a dynamic project that will transform a 29,000 square foot parking lot into a mixed-use development that serves the Seattle Police Department, local arts and cultural organizations and low-income renters in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. There will be 63 apartments affordable to residents making between 30% and 60% of area median income, over two floors of arts- and community-oriented space. In exchange for contributing the land, the Seattle Police Department will be provided 75 stalls of secure below-grade parking, an updated fueling center, and mobile command space.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the Capitol Hill East Precinct Development Project responds to many City and Capitol Hill neighborhood priorities:
- City of Seattle’s priority for in-City urban redevelopment near transit and jobs
- The Capitol Hill Neighborhood Plan (adopted 1999) specifically identified this site for redevelopment
- Providing affordable rental spaces in response to the rapid displacement of arts organizations on Capitol Hill over the last two years
- Affordable rental units in response to the dramatic residential gentrification of the Pike/Pine area of Capitol Hill, where high-end condos are becoming the norm, leaving low-income residents with few housing options near neighborhood amenities
- Well-planned transit-oriented development near the Sound Transit Link Light Rail Station five blocks to the northwest of the site
- The need for new permanent homes for the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce and Capitol Hill Housing
- Sustainable “green” construction to help minimize Seattle’s overall carbon footprint
- The need for community meeting space for neighborhood groups, design review and the Seattle Police Department’s community safety meetings
This project benefits the City of Seattle and a wide range of community stakeholders in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Seattle Police Department’s East Precinct will benefit from the construction of a new, secure parking garage for their exclusive use with other operational amenities. All apartments will be affordable to residents making less than 60% of area median income (up to $34,200 for a single person), thus allowing working low-income individuals and families to stay on Capitol Hill, near transit and employment options, and offering a significant number of residential units within walking distance to transit and jobs. Nine units will be set-aside for individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness through the Gates Foundation Sound Families Initiative, a step toward accomplishing Seattle’s Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness. Eleven apartments will be reserved for disabled adults in partnership with Lifelong AIDS Alliance, located nearby. Additionally, Capitol Hill Housing seeks to provide affordable arts and cultural space (retail and office) to address the recent and rapid displacement of these organizations from our community. Capitol Hill has long been the cultural center for artists in Seattle. As a result, this development will provide options to arts and cultural organizations as they face increased economic pressure to leave the neighborhood, and indeed, the City. Permanent offices will be built for Capitol Hill Housing (CHH), who has been leasing office spaces in the neighborhood for more than 30 years. CHH will co-locate with the recently revived Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce, with which we work closely on local business and development issues, and will manage the remaining office spaces for community arts organizations. Thus, the Capitol Hill East Precinct Development Project has generated enormous support throughout the City of Seattle, as it seeks to directly benefit so many in the Capitol Hill community.
Recipient’s name and address
National Park Service: Not For Profit Entity
Mt. Rainier National Park
Ashford, Washington 983--
615 Second Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98104
Mt Rainier National Park Land Acquisition; $2.5 million:
The National Park Service will use these funds to acquire about 500 acres along the Carbon River, within Mt. Rainier National Park. This addition was authorized by Congress in 2004. This will protect forest habitat and a mile of the river which is habitat for salmon. The property also provides scenic vistas and will be used for new visitor facilities that will replace those that are no longer accessible due to repeated washouts upstream. This will provide new recreational opportunities in the scenic Carbon River valley, a popular gateway to Mt Rainier National Park.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because acquisition and management of these tracts of land will allow the National Park Service to further its twin missions of conserving our most treasured natural resources and providing opportunities for the public to enjoy and learn about them.
Recipient’s name and address
USDA Forest Service: Not For Profit Entity
Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Everett, Washington 98201
615 Second Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98104
Wild Sky Land Acquisition; $3.3 million:
This request is to provide funds to the Forest Service for the acquisition of over 700 acres of private in-holdings adjoining the proposed Wild Sky Wilderness, and within the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The FY10 parcels include Lower Wallace River (320 acres) and Grotto Mtn (320 acres), plus some patented mining claims. Future acquisitions will target national forest inholdings with roadless lands, old-growth forest, endangered species habitat, river shores and recreational opportunities in the Skykomish valley. Situated 20 miles east of the Seattle/Everett metropolitan area, the area is extremely popular for fishing, hiking, hunting and other recreational uses.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because protection of these lands is a high priority as it preserves critical high quality forested habitat along Wallace River. These wild lands support a diversity of habitat including late-successional forest, high alpine rocky terrain, low elevation riparian, forested and shrub wetlands. Species found on the properties included spotted owl, mountain goat, black bear and cougar. Wallace River is a tributary to the Skykomish River, considered one of Western Washington’s most important rivers for federally listed salmon.
Recipient’s name and address
US Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program: Not For Profit Entity
P.O. Box 2946, CENPP-PM
Portland, OR 97208
Columbia River Channel Improvement Project; $25 million:
The project would deepen the federal navigation channel from the Mouth of the Columbia River to the Portland/Vancouver area by three feet (from 40 to 43 feet). The project also provides environmental restoration by creating or enhancing tidal marsh, wetlands, native riparian vegetation, shallows, and fish access to spawning streams in 2,000 acres of fish and wildlife habitat.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the project is critical to sustain international trade, jobs, and the transportation infrastructure for Washington and our entire region. Each year $18 billion in exports and imports are transported via the Columbia River each year. Right now, the cargo ships cannot load cargo to capacity as the river isn’t deep enough. The project will allow these same ships to fully load, resulting in an additional 6,000 tons of wheat/grain ($1 million value) and 300 containers ($10 million) on each ship.
Deepening the navigation channel will allow ships calling on Columbia River ports to load more cargo, which will yield transportation cost savings for U.S. exporters. Only 54% of the navigation channel (or 3.5% of the 106-mile river from the mouth to Portland/Vancouver) needs deepening.
Over 40,000 jobs (from wheat farmers in Montana to longshoremen in Vancouver, Washington to bar pilots in Astoria, Oregon) with an average wage of $46,000 are directly dependant on Columbia/Snake River maritime commerce. Another 59,000 jobs are positively influenced by such activity. We do not have Montana specific figures. There will be $1.66 in national benefits for every $1 invested in project construction.
This is not a new project. The Corps of Engineers and the ports studied the project from 1989 to 2004, and construction has been occurring since 2005. With the funding level of $36 million in FY 2009, we expect the Corps to complete the project at the end of 2010.
If Congress appropriates the $36 million for the project for FY2009, the Corps would use the $25 million for FY2010 to completely finish the deepening work. The $25 million appropriation would fund the removal of the rock near St. Helens, Oregon. This is the final mile of deepening work to be done. The rock removal is costly because blasting is likely to be necessary. A blasting operation in a river with significant commercial, fishing, and recreational traffic and endangered species requires extensive and costly safety and environmental precautions.
Finishing the project as soon as possible will lower its costs and expedite the delivery of its transportation cost-savings to farmers, ranchers, and businesses. Each additional year of construction increases the cost of the project by $2-5 million plus inflation, as a private dredge must be repeatedly “mobilized” from as far away as the Gulf of Mexico for each year of construction.
Recipient’s name and address
Uganda Cancer Institute Not For Profit Entity
Kampala, Uganda
Uganda Cancer Institute; The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) is seeking congressional report language to support an application for a grant from USAID-ASHA to build infrastructure at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) in Kampala, Uganda.
Each year, 1.5 million people throughout the world die from infection-related cancers. To address this global health crisis, scientists from the FHCRC has established the Uganda Program on Cancer and Infectious Disease (UPCID) in association with the UCI.
Report Language Requested:
The Committee notes the contributions made by several institutions
and recommends that they be considered for further ASHA
support, including:… Uganda Cancer Institute…
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the program unites the Hutchinson Center’s strengths in cancer and infectious-disease research with opportunities in Uganda to advance biomedical research and make a difference in the lives of thousands of patients and their families.
•FHCRC infectious disease program was founded to deal with the infectious complications of cancer treatment, and has established the “standard of care” for the management of viral and fungal infections in cancer patients.
•Center scientists have made important contributions at the interface of infection and cancer.
•Work on human papiloma virus helped with the development of the first vaccine to prevent cancer.
•Laboratory work with Helicobacter pylori has helped to explain how a common bacterial infection may lead to stomach cancer.
•To date, the FHCRC-based investment in the collaboration has been $1.3m through the end of FY08, and the UPCID budget in FY09 is $2.5m. While this investment has resulted in a very dynamic research and clinical program, future program development is limited by the facilities available in Uganda.
Recipient’s name and address
Institute for Systems Biology: Not For Profit Entity
1441 N 34th Street
Seattle, WA 98103-8904
206-732-1239
Systems Biology Biomarkers Toxicology Initiative; $5.0 million:
The Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), a subordinate laboratory to RDECOM, runs a program studying changes in gene expression and proteomics following very low level exposures to chemical nerve agents. There is a laboratory component through collaboration of ISB and ECBC scientists. ECBC is also the primary repository for the original "type cultures" of biological warfare agents and this initiative will provide the information technology required to support the development of “bioforensics” programs at both DHS and DOD laboratories.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because this effort thus supports DoD, DHS and RDECOM missions, and provides the IT underpinnings for the Army’s bioforensics program. The continued close coordination with the Army lab ensures successful technology transition.
There is a laboratory component through collaboration of ISB and ECBC scientists, largely directed by Dr. Lee Hood. ECBC is the primary repository for the original "type cultures" of biological warfare agents and this initiative will provide the information technology required to support the development of “bioforensics” programs at both DHS and DOD laboratories. This effort thus supports DoD, DHS and RDECOM missions, and provides the IT underpinnings for the Army’s bioforensics program. The continued close coordination with the Army lab ensures successful technology transition.
Recipient’s name and address
IRIS Data Management Center: Not For Profit Entity
1408 NE 45th Street, Suite 201
Seattle, WA 98105
IRIS Data Management; $1.1 million:
IRIS is a consortium of over 100 US universities dedicated to the operation of science facilities for the acquisition, management, and distribution of seismological data. The IRIS DMS consists of several components or "nodes" that work together to ensure the smooth flow of GSN and PASSCAL data from the stations to the seismological research community. University of Washington is one of the nodes.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because this project would allow the IRIS DMC, which is already supported by the National Science Foundation, to manage seismic data collected by various US Geological Survey seismic networks. IRIS can efficiently provide long-term USGS data management -- including collection, storage, and distribution -- by leveraging the facilities, equipment, and software infrastructure already funded by NSF.
USGS has the statuatory responsibility to collect and store seismic data from the Advanced National Seismic System and other, regional seismic networks.
Recipient’s name and address
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ): Not For Profit Entity
Headquarters Office
1041 North Virginia Street, Third Floor
Reno, Nevada 89557
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges: 2 requests consisting of 5 parts
NCJFCJ Judicial Training, Research and Technical Assistance Project;
This project consists of four national programs critical to the juvenile justice field. Through four separate and distinct programs, NCJFCJ strives to improve system effectiveness and judicial decision-making for children, youth and their families in cases involving juvenile delinquency and child abuse and neglect. Through these programs, courts and system professionals receive the state-of-the-art information, training, and research which will provide improved decision-making and resources to better serve the needs of children, youth, and families, while ensuring accountability from them and the systems who serve them. Continuing education, training, technical assistance and research services are provided to as many as 30,000 judges, probation officers, attorneys, mental health, detention, child welfare representatives and others annually.
The following four unique programs will benefit the field:
- Juvenile Justice and Family Law Training and Technical Assistance Project
The Juvenile Justice and Family Law Training and Technical Assistance Project is national in scope and seeks to improve case processing in juvenile and family courts and improve outcomes for children, youth, families, victims, and communities (e.g., enhance accountability, competency development, and community safety). In order for the juvenile justice system to serve as more than a revolving door for recidivating delinquent youth, judicial officers and others working in or with the juvenile court must receive the most up-to-date information on evidence-based practice. Funding for this project helps support the development and dissemination of this essential practice information through training and technical assistance to judicial officers and allied professionals across the nation. In FY08, project staff responded to nearly 300 technical assistance requests, and funding supported 39 training events (local, state, regional, and national) with over 4200 judges and juvenile justice professionals trained. Given the apparent need for expanded training in the field across the nation as a result of judicial rotation, advances in research, and emerging policy considerations, the desired level of funding to move the project forward in a meaningful and effective manner is approximately $1.2 million per year.
- National Juvenile Court Data Archive
The goal of the National Juvenile Court Data Archive project is to provide juvenile justice professionals, policymakers, researchers, and the public with the most detailed information available on the activities of the nation’s juvenile courts. To accomplish this project several roles are performed:
- Data collector—collecting information on more than 1.5 million juvenile court cases annually;
- Data developer—extracting research data files from administrative data sets;
- Data archive—the project documents and preserves all of the original data as well as the restructured data files;
- Data disseminator—making data files available to researchers and policymakers;
- Research center—produces Juvenile Court Statistics and special topic studies;
- Technical assistance provider—the project works with state and local agencies to improve the design, quality, and utility of their information systems and information technology projects;
- Information clearinghouse— staff respond to requests from federal, state and local agencies, the media, researchers, and the public for statistical information based on the activities of juvenile courts and other aspects of the juvenile justice system.
The Archive is key to OJJDP fulfilling its federal role in maintaining information on juvenile courts’ response to law-violating youth. Without the Archive the Nation will not have a system in place to keep informed regarding how juvenile courts respond to juvenile crime. The federal government has made a significant investment in this work, beginning in the 1920’s; continued investment in the Archive enables decision makers throughout the nation to have access to accurate and useful information based upon detailed, comprehensive data from juvenile justice agencies across the country. More specifically, the National Juvenile Court Data Archive supports the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) in its mission to provide “national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to juvenile delinquency and victimization.” OJJDP’s Administrator is authorized under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002 to “undertake statistical work in juvenile justice matters, for the purpose of providing for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of statistical data and information relating to juvenile delinquency and serious crimes committed by juveniles, to the juvenile justice system, to juvenile violence …” And to “… make grants and contracts with public and private agencies, institutions, and organizations, for the purpose of disseminating information…”
In its 2005 annual report OJJDP stated, “As part of its mission to provide national leadership, OJJDP is committed to keeping practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and the public up to date on the latest juvenile justice information. The Office funds a number of activities to gather data on juvenile crime and the response of the juvenile justice system, including information on probation caseloads and court activities. OJJDP also supports several Web-based activities that offer users easy access to a wide range of national data. “OJJDP supports a wide range of research and evaluation activities … The information generated by these OJJDP initiatives informs and enhances the collaborative efforts of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to prevent and reduce delinquency and victimization. In this way, research translates into action.”
The Archive has helped a number of jurisdictions launch and then redesign their court information systems as the world shifted from paper to computers, then from large mainframes to sophisticated networks. The Archive has provided leadership and guidance regarding research conducted by local researchers, such as the well known “Eight Percent Solution” work done in Orange County, California. Archive staff has helped states with their annual statistical reports, for example, helping Pennsylvania improve the statistical presentations in their annual report and producing a report for the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General, Delinquency and Status Offense Referrals to the Hawaii Family Court 2005.
The minimum funding required to support the Archive’s core data collection and processing activities is $300,000 annually.
- The Permanent Families for Abused and Neglected Children: A National Training and Technical Assistance Project or Child Abuse and Neglect Institute (CANI)
The Child Abuse and Neglect Institute trains judges to hear the most complex cases involving child abuse and neglect. Historically, these cases have not received the attention they have deserved given the pressing business of other matters before the courts. The Child Abuse and Neglect Institute trains judges to conduct in-depth, thorough hearings to ensure that the half million children in this nation who are currently in foster care can be placed in healthy, permanent families, with their own families whenever possible, and if that is not possible, with a permanent adoptive family.
The Child Abuse and Neglect Institute (CANI) provides an interactive learning forum designed exclusively for judicial officers handling child abuse and neglect cases. The PPCD has successfully planned and implemented CANI annually since 1998, reaching 384 judicial officers in 38 states, Puerto Rico, and Guam. CANI provides core workshops on relevant topics including, the role of the judge, judicial leadership, substance abuse and permanency planning, best practices in the handling of abuse and neglect cases, child development, the Indian Child Welfare Act, and judicial ethics. CANI also includes case applications and strategic planning sessions to assist judicial participants in developing strategies for implementing best practices when they return to their individual jurisdictions.
- Technical Assistance to the Juvenile Court Project For over twenty years, the Technical Assistance to the Juvenile Court Project has provided the best available information and assistance to juvenile courts, probation, and justice professionals nationally. This information is particularly crucial to the over 3,000 juvenile court jurisdictions nationally that, typically, do not have research and development departments. It provides valuable information crucial to system development and improvement. Description: For more than twenty years, the Technical Assistance to the Juvenile Court Project has provided high quality information and technical assistance to juvenile/family court and juvenile probation professionals nationally to help them solve problems, address day-to-day operations, and engage in systemic improvement. The TA Project has done this by systematically collecting, organizing, developing, applying, and otherwise making available the best available information related to the juvenile justice system, juvenile courts and probation, effective programs and interventions, strategic and operational planning, program development and implementation, evaluation, and measuring performance.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because we are requesting funds to sustain and expand on our ability to provide high quality information and technical assistance to juvenile courts and probation departments, as well as other juvenile justice professionals nationally, by implementing the following objectives:
- Enhance and expand the availability of first rate technical assistance resources by providing experienced project staff, in-house informational resource centers, links with juvenile justice practitioners throughout the US, and information dissemination.
- Provide one-to-one technical assistance by responding to requests for information by individuals who contact NCJJ in-person, by phone, by e-mail, and by mail.
- Provide one-to-many technical assistance through on-site or cross-site consultations, jurisdictional workshops, conference presentations, topical publications, and the posting of informational E-packets on our website.
- Establish an on-line presence, including a dedicated technical assistance website, The State Profiles Website http://www.ncjj.org/stateprofiles , informational e-packets on selected subjects, original monographs and other NCJJ publications, and links to other sites and publications.
- Documenting, tracking, and evaluating the technical assistance requests received in an effort to promote continuous quality improvement of the technical assistance tools and products offered.
Recipient’s name and address
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ): Not For Profit Entity
Headquarters Office
1041 North Virginia Street, Third Floor
Reno, Nevada 89557
NCJFCJ Child Abuse Training Programs for Judicial Personnel: Victims Act Model Courts Project; $4.0 million:
The VAMC Project has three primary goals:
- To facilitate the achievement of the specific goals articulated by each of the Model Courts;
- To diffuse Model Court practices and innovations at local, state and national levels; and
- To facilitate systems change and the achievement of better outcomes for the safety, permanency, and well-being of abused and neglected children across the nation.
The achievement of these goals occurs through carefully coordinated and integrated technical assistance, training, outreach, research, and evaluation on the part of the NCJFCJ and the Model Courts. The reform efforts of the Model Courts are focused on developing, implementing, sustaining, and evaluating procedures, policies, and programs which allow for the realization of these key principles of permanency planning in everyday practice throughout the child welfare system, and ultimately result in the achievement of better outcomes for children and families.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because through the NCJFCJ’s provision of coordinated local, state, and national training and technical assistance activities, the innovations of the Model Courts and the lessons learned are shared with jurisdictions throughout the nation, improving outcomes for all of the nation’s abused and neglected children. And, by developing a network of experts and mentorship across jurisdictions, the VAMC Project is able to inform national public policy and practice regarding the needs of court and child welfare agencies to better improve outcomes for the children and families they serve. Drawing upon the best practice principles of the RESOURCE GUIDELINES and ADOPTION AND PERMANENCY GUIDELINES, the Model Courts are continually assessing their child abuse and neglect case processing, focusing on barriers to timely permanency, developing and instituting plans for court improvement, and working collaboratively to effect systems change.
The project encompasses a multi-tiered approach to systems reform that coordinates local, state and national initiatives. Goals, objectives and methods strategically link RESOURCE GUIDELINES best practices, Model Court reform efforts, federally-funded statewide projects, national training programs and initiatives, to achieve more broad-based system improvements and enhanced outcomes for children and families. Model Court leadership and mentorship will be enhanced through shared goals and a strong focus on court performance measurement, and continuous evaluation of best practice implementation, outcomes and system accountability.
National Network for Youth: Not For Profit Entity
Local Partnerships to Increase Education and Employment for Homeless and Runaway Youth; $250,000;
Based on promising results from several programs, NN4Y will undertake an initiative to test the transferability of a successful model (YouthCares) in Seattle, WA, to three other sites (one rural and two medium-city locales). YouthCares has developed effective partnerships and supports for youth that have resulted in more than a 1000 percent increase in placements of youth in either post-secondary education programs or successful job placements for its young clients in just one year. This initiative takes one year to assess the program’s transferability with an eye toward expansion if desired.
Recipient’s name and address
Navos: Not For Profit Entity
2600 Holden St.
P.O. Box 69080,
Seattle WA 98168
Mental Health Treatment Center, Burien, WA; $800,000:
This project relocates Navos’ client housing and a mental health treatment center in a surplus school building now under the flight path of SeaTac Airport’s new third runway. Due to the opening of the third runway, it is essential to relocate both housing and the professional treatment center. A site has been selected in Burien two miles west with excellent transit access to Seattle, East and South King County. The new site will provide adjacent residential housing (under construction) for 22 clients and additional newly purchased housing on the lot immediately to the north for 14 more clients and a new 45,000 sq. ft. professional treatment center for outpatient services. Over 100 employees work at the Burien Treatment Center and serve thousands of clients annually. The specific activities proposed to be funded with this request are $800,000 for facilities and equipment in the new health care treatment center. This funding, along with earlier federal funds will allow the facility to be equipped with current medical, office and technology equipment.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because for over 40 years, Navos has provided treatment, advocacy, and opportunity for disadvantaged adults and children with serious and persistent mental and emotional illness. This mission has grown from the early days of the founding of Navos in Burien. Navos is the only non-profit organization in King County offering a full spectrum of mental health services for low income adults and children ranging from a free-standing non-profit psychiatric hospital, award winning specialty outpatient care, and an array of residential treatment and supported housing programs. Navos makes it possible for an ethnically, geographically, age and gender diverse population of adults and children in King County to receive mental health care services. To continue its mission serving this challenging population, the Burien campus must be relocated and replaced. It cannot continue to operate under the SeaTac Airport’s third runway flight traffic.
The new facility is being built by, and will be operated by Navos, a private non-profit mental health provider with 420 employees serving over 1,000 patients in their hospital and 5,000 clients in their outpatient centers at two campuses – one in the City of Burien and the other in West Seattle. Navos’ additional subcontractor network of another 18 non-profit organizations, serve an additional 3,000 children, families and adults throughout King County. The project to relocate housing and treatment facilities is essential to the mission of continuing to effectively serve Navos’ client population.
Recipient’s name and address
Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research: Not For Profit Entity
4845 B SW Dresden Ave.
Corvallis, OR 97333
Small Fruits Initiative - Plant Improvement; $1.1 million:
1) Small Fruit Pathology Program. $400,000 for new ARS research post and pre harvest plant pathology program including one ARS research scientist, one full time technician, greenhouse, office and laboratory space in Corvallis, Oregon. $100,000 for specific cooperative agreement with Washington State University for a technical support position in Mt. Vernon, Washington.
2) Site Feasibility Study and Phase 1 Design for Additional or New Research Facilities. $350,000 for a full assessment, strategic evaluation and functional analysis of current facilities and infrastructure.
3) Competitive Research Grants. $250,000 will be used for the competitive grants program peer reviewed small fruits research projects.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because ARS conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority. The Small Fruits Initiative-Plant Improvement builds upon the strengths of existing cooperative research programs aligned through the Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research. The strategy was developed following careful analysis of both the strengths and the gaps that exist in current small fruit research. It strengthens existing programs throughout the region and adds key programs to fill in critical gaps that are not met by the existing infrastructure associated with the Center. Strong emphasis is given to research supporting human health, food safety, economic impact and environmental safety.
Recipient’s name and address
Northwest Hospital & Medical Center: Not For Profit Entity
1550 N. 115th St.
Seattle, WA 98133
Community Health Education & Simulation Center (CHESC); $1.5 million:
The Northwest Hospital and Medical Center’s (Northwest) is building a Community Health Education and Simulation Center (CHESC). Over the next three years we plan to teach community and healthcare provider classes at the CHESC.
Northwest is seeking $1,500,000 in fiscal year 2010 appropriations to expand the state-of-the-art CHESC that will be fully utilized by the public, schools, local health care providers, and staff.
The Phase 2 expansion of the CHESC is planned to double its size to over 5,000 sq. ft. The increased space will include 2 smaller simulation rooms, 2 control rooms, an OR suite/special procedures room, additional classrooms/debriefing space, and an operational staging area. The renovated area will allow for further training of healthcare providers such as courses tailored for less technical positions i.e. housekeeping and receptionists to identify critical patient warning signs. One planned program is the training of local school nurses, teachers, and coaches in the skills needed to address various medical emergencies and conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, and diabetes.
Anticipated initial participants of the CHESC include:
• Community College Nursing Programs;
• University and College RN Nursing Programs;
• Long Term Care Facility Staff;
• North Seattle Firefighters/EMTs/Paramedics,
• Family members caring for loved ones with chronic and debilitating healthcare issues,
• Community training for First Aid, CPR, Infant CPR, AED, and Back Injury Prevention.
• Hospital staff; multidiscipline team members in the outpatient and inpatient departments of the Northwest Hospital and Medical Center System.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because Objective 1.3 of the HHS Strategic Plan is to “Improve health care quality, safety, cost, and value” Objective 1.4 is to “Recruit, develop, and retain a competent health care workforce”. The CHESC at Northwest Hospital will help achieve both of these objectives.
Recipient’s name and address
OneWorld Now!, a project of the TIDES Center: Not For Profit Entity
600 First Ave; Suite 620
Seattle, WA 98101
OneWorld Now!-Tides Center; $357,500:
OneWorld Now! is a nationally recognized global leadership program for underserved high school youth. OneWorld Now! is developing the next generation of global leaders through an innovative after school program of critical languages (Arabic and Mandarin Chinese), leadership training and study abroad (Middle East and China).
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because OneWorld Now! students are prepared for a year in advance with the critical language and leadership skills before spending their summer studying abroad in these critical regions of the world. Upon their return, OneWorld Now! students are supported with applying to college and universities and opportunities to continue their language and international studies. 100% of students (mostly underserved) completing OneWorld Now! go on to attend college & universities.
PATH: 3 requests
Recipient’s name and address
PATH: Not For Profit Entity
1455 NW Leary Way
Seattle, WA 98107
HealthTech; $5.0 million:
PATH's laboratory is an incubator for nurturing and developing effective technologies to improve global health, technologies for problems that the private-sector has minimal incentive to address. The core funding from USAID supports this exploratory research, and technologies that have been invented, designed, or developed by PATH from these efforts include the HIV dipstick, the Soloshot® syringe and the vaccine vial monitor.
Collaboration—including collaboration with the private sector—is a key element in PATH’s approach. Our goal for private-sector collaboration is to achieve maximum sustainable benefit for public health through engaging private-sector collaborators to apply their development, manufacturing, and distribution strengths toward innovative technologies that, in the absence of PATH involvement, would not be a private-sector priority.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because headquartered in Seattle and operating in 20 countries, PATH is an international, nonprofit organization that creates sustainable, culturally relevant solutions, enabling communities worldwide to break longstanding cycles of poor health. By collaborating with diverse public and private-sector partners, PATH helps provide appropriate health technologies and vital strategies that change the way people think and act.
In partnership with USAID, PATH operates HealthTech, which serves as the national laboratory for researching and developing technologies to improve global health.
The cooperative agreement for the HealthTech partnership between PATH and USAID began in 1987, and the five year agreement has recently been renewed a fourth time. During this time, the support of USAID has allowed PATH to develop specialized facilities and staff capabilities with broad and deep experience in developing technology solutions for developing-country settings.
Recipient’s name and address
PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative: Not For Profit Entity
7500 Old Georgetown Road
12th Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
Malaria Vaccine Initiative Report Language (not an earmark, report language only):
The Committee is concerned that there are an estimated 247 million cases of malaria annually, and that the disease kills nearly one million people every year, the vast majority of whom are African children under the age of five. The Committee encourages the development of a malaria program that addresses all aspects of the prevention and treatment of this devastating disease.
The Committee supports efforts initiated by USAID to increase its commitment to assist in the development of a malaria vaccine for Africa and other regions. Successful malaria vaccine trials in Africa have proven to be effective steps in this process. The Committee recommends that USAID increase funding for programs for malaria vaccine development, and provide in fiscal year 2010 at least $5,000,000 to the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative.
Recipient’s name and address
PATH: Not For Profit Entity
1455 NW Leary Way
Seattle, WA 98107
HealthTech, report language:
Language Request (not an earmark, report language only):
The Committee commends DARPA’s work in developing civil societies through vaccine and other preventive diagnostic programs, and applauds its efforts in stabilizing societies worldwide. In furtherance of any work regarding stable societies, the Committee encourages continuing support for the HealthTech program to pave the way for thorough preventive diagnostics research and development, which will be applied to future efforts in building stable, civil societies.
Puget Sound Blood Center: 2 requests
Recipient’s name and address
Puget Sound Blood Center: Not For Profit Entity
921 Terry Ave.
P.O. Box 222000
Seattle, Washington 98104
Perfect Match Program Extension; $2 million:
This request combines the efforts of two existing programs at Puget Sound Blood Center that have similar purposes of providing blood components from specific, matched individuals to patients needing highly specialized support. The Perfect Match Program has focused on providing blood (Red Blood Cells) for patients requiring “special” types. The Cord Blood Program focuses on providing stem cells from umbilical cord blood for transplantation to patients with leukemia and similar diseases; the immunology of this situation requires careful matching of donor and recipient in order for the transplant to be successful. Although these programs involve different blood components and different types of collection and processing techniques, they share the need to reach further into minority communities to ensure that all patients have the hematologic support they need.
Mirroring the increasing diversity of our nation, growth in Western Washington is expected to be primarily people of color. Yet, as important as it is to have a blood supply that reflects the diversity of the community it serves, relatively few people of color donate blood. As the ethnic diversity of our region grows, Puget Sound Blood Center has an even greater challenge to increase donor participation among people of color to build a stable, compatible blood supply that will better serve everyone in our community. The Blood Center’s Perfect Match Program (formerly known as the Rare Blood Program) focuses on expanding the ethnic diversity of the blood donor population and increasing our ability to support the serious medical needs of patients requiring frequent, multiple blood transfusions.
Most of us will need a blood transfusion at some time in our lives. But for patients in need of multiple transfusions, especially people of color, there is a risk of serious, possibly fatal, complications if the blood isn’t perfectly matched. These patients need blood that is antigen matched closely to their blood type to prevent transfusion reactions. Because antigens in blood vary by ethnic group, the ability to increase our donor base of Asian Pacific Islander, Native American, African American, Hispanic and other ethnically diverse groups provides a vital source of donors from which to find a matching blood type.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the preferred therapy for an increasing number of clinical disorders. Although traditionally used primarily for patients with inherited metabolic disorders and hematologic malignancies (e.g. leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma) thought not to be curable by standard drug therapy, the indications are now expanding to include other malignant disease, non-malignant hematologic disorders (such as sickle cell disease), autoimmune diseases, etc. It is estimated that 10,000-15,000 Americans are in need of transplantation annually. A source of blood stem cells is needed to perform these transplants. The ideal donor is an HLA-identical sibling, but such donors are only available to about one third of patients. The remaining two thirds must seek a suitably matched unrelated donor. Although the National Marrow Donor Program registry of volunteer adult donors is large (currently over 7 million), it is not adequate to provide donors for all patients in need. This is a particularly difficult problem for ethnic minority patients since 1) most donors are Caucasian and 2) the likelihood of finding a match is greatest within one’s own ethnic group. Over the last ten years, the increasing availability of umbilical cord blood has made it possible for many patients, unable to find a matched adult donor, to receive a transplant. The principal reason is that the matching criteria for cord blood are less stringent that for stem cell preparations from adult donors. In addition, it is much easier to provide ethnic diversity in the cord blood units, providing a much higher chance that ethnic minority patients will be able to find a suitable match.
Cord Blood Banking at Puget Sound Blood Center
Realizing the likely importance of cord units in clinical transplantation, the Puget Sound Blood Center started a cord bank in 1998, funded by both Blood Center funds and private donations and later to some extent by the National Marrow Donor Program. Congress recognized the need to dramatically increase the nation’s supply of ethnically diverse cord units and, through HRSA, has provided funding for this purpose since 2007. Puget Sound Blood Center’s cord blood bank was among the first group of cord banks to receive this funding, which provided partial support for the collection and processing of cord units from 2007 to 2009 -- $500,000 each year for a total of $1,500,000. In addition to this national support, former Washington governor Gary Locke has been a very vocal supporter of cord blood donation in our state.
Our cord blood bank is uniquely able to add diversity to the national cord blood inventory. We collect units from five hospitals in Seattle, five hospitals in Hawaii in collaboration with the Hawaii Cord Blood Bank (Asian, multiracial), and hospitals in Yakima Washington (Native American, Hispanic). We are in the process of establishing a cord blood collection activity at the Alaskan Native Hospital in Anchorage which should add additional diversity to the registry. We currently have 5500 units in our cord blood bank and are adding approximately 70 additional units per month. We issue 1-2 cords per week for transplantation.
Expectant mothers are very enthusiastic about donating their cord blood and providing the means to help patients in need of transplants. Because of limited resources, we are forced to limit both the number of participating hospitals and the number cord units that we can process. Additional funds would allow us to more fully meet this demand.
Accidents or terrorist attacks involving excessive radiation or chemical exposure may result in large numbers of patients requiring hematopoietic stem cell support or transplantation. The availability of adequate numbers of cord blood units will be essential in treating these patients since 1) cord units are essentially available for immediate use, and 2) the matching criteria are less stringent than that for adult donors of either marrow or peripheral blood stem cells. Puget Sound Blood Center’s Cord Bank is an active member of the national Radiation Injury Treatment Network, a National Marrow Donor Program sponsored program to ensure rapid and adequate support for victims of such events.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because Puget Sound Blood Center plans to grow the Perfect Match Program by expanding recruitment, collection and typing of blood donors, increasing the number of blood donors in communities of color. PSBC seeks to find a new testing platform to make genomic testing as routine as current serological methods. This would be accomplished by purchasing a bloodmobile to make blood donation more convenient and available in communities of color through a self sustained mobile unit. In addition to donation opportunities, we can bring to underrepresented communities of color, as well as anyone who donates, additional donor health screening through this bloodmobile that they might not otherwise obtain such as cholesterol level and hemoglobin A1c test for glucose level.
Recipient’s name and address
Puget Sound Blood Center: Not For Profit Entity
921 Terry Ave.
P.O. Box 222000
Seattle, Washington 98104
Assured Blood Supply Program; $20 million over 3 years:
In order to address these major concerns for our community we are requesting funds for three projects:
Pneumatic Tube: $10 Million: ($2.2 M for design, permits, management; $4.2 M for tube system hardware and software; $3.2 M for construction)
- An underground pneumatic tube would allow rapid transport of samples as well as blood from the three hospitals proximal to our main transfusion service laboratory. Such systems are widely used by hospitals for transporting blood (including some currently in operation in areas with seismic activity, such as Southern California) and have proven their reliability.
Remote Release-King County: $5 Million: ($4 M for refrigerators – 45 @$90,000 for 19 hospitals; $500,000 for software fees; $500,000 for interfaces between blood center and hospital computer systems)
- Remote release provides a mechanism to store blood at each of the 19 hospitals served by Puget Sound Blood Center’s transfusion service in critical areas such as the emergency room and the operating room while allowing computer-controlled release after testing from a centralized location. For over 90% of patients, the crossmatching can be done electronically with no human intervention. A study conducted at The John Radcliffe Hospital (Oxford University, UK) demonstrated that the use of such a remote release system reduced the average time to deliver a red cell to the patient from 24 minutes to 59 seconds.
Patient Identification: $5 million: (Creation of system to establish unique patient identification for King County Hospitals - $100,000 for hardware; $300,000 for software/interfaces; and $100,000 for training materials. Implementation of bedside handheld identification systems that integrates with remote release system - $3M for hardware; $1.3M for interfaces with hospital systems; $200,000 for training materials.)
There are two aspects to this initiative:
- The first is to ensure that every red cell is transfused to the same patient from whom the testing sample was drawn. Systems exist that produce patient wristbands containing a 2D barcode translation of the patient’s unique identification. This barcode is scanned when the transfusion samples are drawn, an identical label is produced and applied to the drawn sample, the sample is scanned during testing, and the subsequent unit label applied to the unit contains the same 2D barcode. The loop is closed when the nursing staff scans both the unit transfusion report and the wristband to ensure that the blood is transfused to the correct patient – the patient from whom the transfusion sample was originally collected.
- More expansively, we wish to begin a city-wide initiative that would develop a standardized approach for patient identification in Western Washington. Thus, a patient admitted to hospital “A” last year would retain the same identification when being admitted to hospital “B” this year. Some patients have antibodies to red cell antigens that require specially selected units to be given or have medical reasons for special processing such as leukoreduction and irradiation. Having a system that ensures a patient’s transfusion history is known regardless of which hospital they are receiving their transfusion at can prevent serious adverse reactions. The use of biometrics may be one area of exploration in developing a city-wide patient identification system. To the best of our knowledge, Seattle would be the first city in the country to develop and adapt such a safeguard and is uniquely positioned to take advantage of a city-wide identification system through its centralized transfusion services.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, its primary mission is “to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the Nation from all hazards, including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, by leading and supporting the Nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation.”
FEMA’s Predisaster Mitigation account provides funding for infrastructure improvements, risk identification, planning, communication, response coordination and modeling activities for disaster mitigation.
PSBC’s Assured Blood Supply program helps support FEMA’s mission to protect life in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. By providing faster access to blood supply products and improved communication between emergency facilities, PSBC is able to be an active participant in a comprehensive emergency management system.
Recipient’s name and address
Puget Sound Neighborhood Health Centers dba Neighborcare Health: Not For Profit Entity
Mark Secord, Executive Director
905 Spruce Street, Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98104
Rainier Beach Medical and Dental Clinic; $1.0 million:
Neighborcare Health’s Southeast Family Dental Clinic (SEFD) is forced to establish a new permanent clinic site by the end of 2010, as a result of Seattle Housing Authority canceling its land lease for the purpose of redeveloping the clinic’s current site, located one block from the new light rail station at MLK and Othello.
Serving nearly 4,300 patients annually, SEFD is the leading community health provider of dental access to Seattle’s low-income and uninsured residents. Without rapid action, Neighborcare Health will be forced to halt dental services to thousands of King County’s most vulnerable residents, most of whom have no other source of care.
The site of the new facility has been secured and is located at 9245 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2009 with occupancy occurring in December 2010. The new facility will also be home to our Rainier Beach Medical Clinic, a severely overcrowded and overextended site located nearby. This new collocated clinic will not only provide integrated medical/dental services under one roof, but will also link thousands of existing medical patients with a dental provider, and will improve the quality and accessibility of health care services for over 44,000 low-income and uninsured King County residents.
The primary goal of this project is to maintain and increase access to an affordable, culturally appropriate healthcare home for vulnerable members of the Southeast Seattle community, home to a largely minority population with some of the most extreme health disparities in the city. The new dental facility will immediately add two dental chairs and will feature two private dental operatories for patients who have special needs. Additional space will be plumbed to allow for additional exam rooms in the future, as needed. The number of exam rooms in the medical clinic will increase to 24, double the capacity of our current site.
The new facility is projected to see a 24% increase in dental visits (currently 12,882) and a 36% increase in medical visits (currently 20,723) over 2008 volumes within one year of project completion, due to increased capacity and improved efficiencies. We also anticipate a 140% increase in the number of patients who utilize both the medical and dental clinic (currently 492) within the first year of clinic operation, with an emphasis on linking existing medical patients with a dental provider.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because The goal of this project is to maintain and increase access to affordable, culturally-appropriate quality healthcare for underserved residents of southeast Seattle, which is in direct accordance with HRSA’s mission of improving access to culturally competent, quality health care for uninsured, underserved, and special needs populations.
Public Health of Seattle-King County reports that southeast Seattle ranks second only to central Seattle in health disparities in the region. It has a large concentration of Medicaid-eligible people and a disproportionately low number of physicians and dentists practicing in the community. For over 30 years, Southeast Family Dental Clinic (SEFD) and Rainier Beach Medical Clinic have provided primary medical and dental care to thousands of southeast Seattle residents who would otherwise not have access to care, due to economic, cultural and geographic barriers.
Southeast Family Dental Clinic meets a particularly critical need: dental care for ethnic minorities and adults. Approximately 80% of clinic patients are people of color (predominately Black/African American and Asian), and over a third are best served in a language other than English, most commonly Vietnamese, Cambodian and Spanish.
Approximately 80% of SEFD’s patients are adults, many of whom require complex care to address a lifetime of poor oral health. Three-quarters of patients subsist on incomes at or below 100% of federal poverty guidelines, or less than $21,200 for a family of four. Half of patients are uninsured, and over 30% are covered by Medicaid, which often does not cover the full spectrum of care required. While there is some funding for dental care for children, funding for adult care is virtually non-existent, so the clinic provides hundreds of thousands of dollars of uncompensated care each year. Through a relationship with the Veteran’s Administration, the clinic is also the dental provider to homeless veterans without another source of dental care, providing over 300 visits to these veterans each year.
SEFD sees more emergency dental patients than any other King County community health center, with an average of 11 emergency dental patients per day. Emergency patients are seen regardless of their usual source of dental care (if one exists), and often because other dental providers for this population provide only minimal emergency service. Once emergent needs are met, we work with the patient to develop a plan for the remaining restorative services, including working with our Community Health Educators to learn about the importance of routine dental care.
Neighborcare Health’s Southeast Family Dental Clinic and Rainier Beach Medical Clinic are significant providers to Medicaid patients. Both clinics receive substantial support from the Washington State Community Health Grant program in support of care for uninsured people. Rainier Beach Medical Clinic serves enrollees in the State’s Basic Health Plan, the GAU (General Assistance Unemployable) Managed Care pilot program and the Breast and Cervical Health Program. Neighborcare Health is now the only direct dental provider contracting with the Ryan White program to serve low-income people with HIV/AIDS in King County.
We have recently been commended by the HRSA Office of Performance Review for our dental treatment plan completion rate, which at 66% (with a goal of 70%), exceeds the norm for community health centers.
Recipient’s name and address:
The Rainier Club Foundation: Not For Profit Entity
820 Fourth Avenue
Seattle, WA. 98104
The Rainier Club window repair and limestone sill replacement; $250,000:
In 2004, The Rainier Club Historic Foundation commissioned a report to evaluate and define the infrastructure-related concerns of the Club’s 1904 building.
The engineer’s report detailed the damage to the exterior limestone window sills due to over one hundred years of exposure to water and pollution.
The report concluded that the sills require replacement to prevent water from penetrating into the fabric of the masonry. Water seepage into the wall fabric will cause deterioration of interior and exterior mortar. This penetration may or may not have already impacted the heavy timber floor and ceiling joists that connect into the walls. However, structurally, the sills must be replaced as soon as possible to mitigate any damage or further damage to the structure of the historic building. Window glazing repair of the historic wooden windows would also tie to the limestone sill project.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because: Dedicated to the preservation and celebration of America's priceless historic legacy, Save America’s Treasures works to recognize and rescue the enduring symbols of American tradition that define the United States as a nation. Historic window repair is one of the most documented subjects of preservation with standards written by the Department of the Interior. The Rainier Club’s 1904 building is one of the oldest landmarks in the State of Washington, and while the building is designated by the City of Seattle and listed as a historic building at the state level, it is not recognized as nationally significant. The Club’s request, including the matching funds, complies with the spirit of the program’s intentions and guidelines. As the historic building is state significant, and not recognized as nationally significant, it is precluded from being awarded the program’s grant via the standard application process. The attached letters from the Washington Trust and the Washington State Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation outline their support and how the 1904 historic building is positioned in the preservation community.
Recipient’s name and address
Seattle Art Museum: Not For Profit Entity
1300 First Avenue, Seattle 98101
Renovation of Historic Seattle Asian Art Museum; $500,000:
The Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM) is the centerpiece of Volunteer Park, a historic public park listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The facility, constructed in 1933, is a city landmark and a fine example of art moderne architecture. The museum houses one of the most important Asian art collections in the country. The Pacific Northwest’s historical ties to Asia make the preservation of this facility and its collection extremely important as an educational center for learning about Asia, its rich history and numerous cultures.
The renovation project will address deteriorating elements of SAAM’s infrastructure, some of which date back to its construction in 1933, which are endangering the building, the collections, and the public. In particular, all the mechanical systems are well past their useful life. In addition, since conducting a seismic study of the building in 1995, SAM has been working to sequentially address areas that were identified for seismic improvement, but the final, most invasive work still needs to be done to ensure public safety.
SAM proposes to address two operational needs. First, the building’s climate control infrastructure, in particular a 1933 steam boiler, must be updated. The age of the mechanical systems exposes the facility to risk of a major mechanical failure and serious operational issues as components age and replacement parts become increasingly difficult to obtain. Second, seismic and safety features that could jeopardize public safety must be addressed. SAM proposes to close the building in June 2010 for 18 months. The existing heating and ventilating system will be upgraded to include air conditioning and greater humidity controls. Interior hollow clay tile walls that could collapse during a seismic event will be replaced. Exterior wall insulation and double pane insulated windows will reduce energy costs and condensation which has the potential to damage structural elements of the building and provides an environment for mold to develop.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the proposed improvements will ensure that the Seattle Asian Art Museum and its world class collections will be preserved in the long-term for the enjoyment and education of future generations. They will also put the facility on a par with modern-day public facilities, providing a sound structure for both public and art.
Recipient’s name and address
Seattle Biomedical Research Institute (SBRI): Not For Profit Entity
307 Westlake Ave N
Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98109-5219
Malaria Vaccine Development; $5 million:
Since 2001, SBRI has partnered with the US Army to develop a vaccine that will prevent malaria infection. In a major breakthrough, SBRI scientists have developed a novel vaccine strategy that confers 100% protection in animal models. We are requesting new funds to prepare and test the most promising second generation SBRI vaccine in US troops at Fort Lewis, and to monitor the troops for safety parameters, immune responses, and level of protection from malaria challenge.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because a vaccine is urgently needed to protect our troops from malaria, and this goal is the top priority of the US Military Infectious Disease Research Program (MIDRP). To date, no prophylactic intervention completely prevents infection and resultant morbidity from this disease, thus malaria remains a significant threat to daily operations for US military personnel deployed in endemic regions. Drugs for malaria do exist, but parasites in malaria-prone areas where the US military are deployed are proving increasingly resistant to current therapeutics, and compliance with prophylactic malaria drugs is notoriously poor. Many recent and current US military campaigns have deployed troops to areas where they are threatened by malaria: Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean. For example, 28% of the soldiers involved in a 2003 deployment to Liberia contracted malaria in just two weeks and half of those had to be evacuated to Germany for adequate treatment. Most of the affected soldiers were taking their anti-malarial drugs, but the levels were not sufficient to prevent disease.
Recipient’s name and address
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance: Not For Profit Entity
825 Eastlake Ave E
PO Box 19023
Seattle WA 98109-1023
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Regional Health Network IT; $537,000:
To fulfill its purpose of accelerating cancer research by improving access to clinical trials and to advance the standard of cancer care regionally and beyond, the SCCA Network program depends on IT infrastructure to deliver information to its network members. Information regarding treatments, protocols, prevention and early detection, quality and regulatory rules, training and education as well as physicians ability for direct interaction with SCCA physician/investigators are all vital to providing patients the best possible treatment and interventions available to them.
There are three components to the request. They are as follows:
1. In order to collaborate more closely with our Network members, the SCCA seeks to develop a highly interactive regional video conferencing system. The system would be capable of allowing for greater case consultation via interactive video, enhanced regional medical education with medical broadcasts, interactive presentations, and grand rounds.
The infrastructure can be upgraded to also support our global partners in the future.
2. In order to collaborate more closely with our Network members regarding clinical trials, the SCCA seeks to develop an interactive web portal for Network members and physicians that will allow them to determine whether a patient being seen at their location might be eligible for a clinical trial at the SCCA.
3. Develop a “one-stop” web portal that will allow our network members self-sufficiency in accessing standardized forms, procedures and other pertinent information like education materials. This web portal will be the first entry point for network members and will be password protected.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because Objective 1.2 of the HHS Strategic Plan is to “Increase health care service availability and accessibility”. The SCCA Regional Health Network will do exactly that.
Recipient’s name and address
Global Alliance for the Prevention of Prematurity and Stillbirth: Not For Profit Entity
Seattle Children’s Hospital & Regional Medical Center
4800 Sand Point Way
Seattle, Washington 98105
Understanding Increased Risk of Preterm Birth and Stillbirth in a Post-Combat Setting; 3.5 million:
Post combat conditions are highly stressful and increase risk of exposure to toxins/pathogens, poor nutrition and impoverishment, raising the potential for higher preterm birth and stillbirth rates among indigenous populations and soldiers remaining or returning from the field. Studies by the National Defense University and in-theatre operations by military forces have put new emphasis on post combat stabilization as a necessary activity to win hearts and minds. Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), a subordinate laboratory to the US Army R&D and Engineering Command has been a leader in developing technologies to achieve post combat stabilization. ECBC also has an in-house biomarker program to assess the impact of environmental toxicants at the molecular level. The initiative would support ECBC’s efforts through the development of a prospective cohort of pregnant women from surveillance areas with environmental characteristics relevant to high stress conditions; epidemiological data collection on conditions which emulate post combat stress and associated risks for pre-term birth and stillbirth; collecting and processing tissue samples for distribution; and initiation of rapid diagnostics technology development (biomarkers) using genomic and proteomics tools which will detect response / susceptibility to high stress and exposure conditions that promote negative effects on reproductive health in post combat veterans and indigenous populations. Researchers will correlate effects of stress, impoverished conditions, exposure to pathogens and toxic agents in racially diverse populations to pregnancy success, especially preterm birth and stillbirth.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because as a result of this research effort, GAPPS / Seattle Children’s will provide the military with unique biological resources that will inspire new diagnostics, therapeutics and other innovations to improve birth outcomes and prevent prematurity and stillbirth for indigent-indigenous populations and soldiers remaining or returning from the field. This research could potentially extrapolate to a broader ranger of maternal health conditions as they relate to the priorities of the US Department of Defense.
Recipient’s name and address
Seattle Children’s PlayGarden: Not For Profit Entity
3710 – 38th Avenue S
Seattle, WA 98144
Completion of the Seattle Children’s PlayGarden; $1 million:
Funds are sought in this application to complete an Adventure Garden, the fifth and final construction phase for the Seattle Children PlayGarden. The PlayGarden is a 501-c-3 organization founded in 2002 to provide recreational, educational, and therapeutic services to children in King County with physical and mental disabilities. The Board of Directors is composed of members with expertise in children with special needs, gardening, along with medical professionals and parents of children with special needs. In 2004 the PlayGarden entered into a partnership with the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation. The Parks Department, recognizing that the city was not meeting the recreational needs of children with special needs, provided the PlayGarden with a long-term, essentially no-cost lease for the south end of Colman Playground in South Central Seattle. The Colman Triangle neighborhood, in which the project is located, has been one of the more blighted areas of Seattle. The neighborhood association has long sought upgrading of the neglected Colman Playground, and has provided strong support for the project.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the Seattle Children’s PlayGarden project aligns with HUD’s mission for community development. The PlayGarden is located in a neighborhood of South Central Seattle in which one-third of all family households earn less than $40,000. The project provides a safe recreational haven for the children of primarily low-income families. In addition, the project cleans up a once-neglected park, and serves as a source of pride for the neighborhood. Neighborhood residents will find opportunities to steward the gardens and to enjoy their amenities.
Seattle Housing Authority: 2 requests
Recipient’s name and address
Seattle Housing Authority: Not For Profit Entity
120 6th Ave N
P.O. Box 19028
Seattle, WA 98109
High Point Neighborhood Parks; $682,000:
The sites for the neighborhood parks, Bataan, Mulberry, and Schoolhouse, located within the award winning “green” HOPE VI High Point Redevelopment. These parks will complete key elements of the natural drainage and park system in this new neighborhood.
The High Point HOPE VI redevelopment is strongly supported by the community, city departments, and city and county elected officials. At the City Council public hearing for the redevelopment approval, the community voiced no opposition, only strong support. In 2006, High Point was presented with the AIA/HUD Secretary’s Community Informed Design Award.
The mixed-income community will have over 1,700 units when completed. There will be 1,300 children, most in low-income families, under the age of 18. Seattle Housing Authority does not have the resources to build three parks to serve the community, Bataan, Mulberry, and Schoolhouse. The housing authority used Hope money to build the infrastructure for 637 units.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because High Point is a HOPE VI redevelopment project that provides housing options to a culturally and economically diverse population in a dense urban setting. When built out, it will contain over 1,700 units. 675 of those units serve low-income families and seniors. Other units, including 25 Habitat for Humanity homes, make homeownership opportunities available to households earning less than 80% of area median income. There will be 1,300 children under the age of 18 living in High Point, most in low-income families.
Bataan, Mulberry, and Schoolhouse park sites represent holes in this new neighborhood. The completed parks will provide safe play areas within walking distance for children and families in this dense community. Two of the parks will also provide safe pedestrian connections to the local school and other neighborhoods.
Recipient’s name and address
Seattle Housing Authority: Not For Profit Entity
120 6th Ave N
P.O. Box 19028
Seattle, WA 98109
Rainier Vista Playfield Pathway; $1.5 million:
The Rainier Vista redevelopment project is a HOPE VI project that was initiated in 1999. The project was designed to replace 481 World War II era low-income public housing units with a mixed-income community, creating appfroximately 850 housing units for all income levels. Phase I is nearing completion and 432 units have been constructed, of which 312 are low-income units. Phase II south, where the Playfield Pathway will be located, is now under construction with the infrastructure almost complete and an additional 83 units of rental housing out to bid. The Playfield Pathway is the final infrastructure portion of Rainier Vista Phase II South which was initiated in 2005 with demolition and grading of the site.
The Rainier Vista Playfield Pathway will provide the key and safe access point to the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club and playfields. It will provide a dedicated pedestrian public walkway from the Link Light Rail Columbia City Station at the intersection of South Alaska Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way South to the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club, the playfield and to residential neighborhoods on South Oregon Street and Renton Avenue South. The Playfield Pathway serves as a linear park element with benches and lighting, landscape and pathway to connect the Boys & Girls Club, playfield, transit station, major arterials and residential neighborhoods through a safe, accessible path system. Users of the Playfield Pathway will include Rainier Vista residents, up to 4,000 children each year attending the Boys & Girls Club and playfield activities, residents of the surrounding community, and Light Rail commuters.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the creation of this protected open space provides an opportunity to create an off-street walking path connecting the neighbors, families, commuters and children to local amenities, such as the Boys & Girls Club, neighborhood commercial centers, and the nearly Light Rail Station. A convenient and attractive pathway system enhances the health of children and adults by supporting the healthy activity of walking on a regular basis. A pedestrian walkway connecting from South Oregon Street and 31st Avenue South to South Alaska Street and MLK Jr. Way South would create a safe alternative for neighborhood residents rather than walking along the main arterial. The Boys & Girls Club will serve up to 4,000 youth annually and the Rainier Vista community is currently home to at least 325 children 18 years old and younger. The Playfield Pathway will offer users young and old a quiet, sheltered, and safe walking path as an alternative to walking along MLK Jr. Way South or South Alaska Street.
Recipient’s name and address
Seattle Human Services Coalition: Not For Profit Entity
4759 15th Ave NE, #308
Seattle, WA 98122
A Call to Caring; Community Project on Social Responsibilities & Caring for Each Other, $169,332:
People throughout the State of Washington are facing unprecedented rates of hunger, homelessness, unemployment and poverty while city, county and state resources are substantially decreasing. The economic systems we have depended on are changed and it is becoming clear that the current safety net that our communities rely on for basic needs stretched and frayed past the breaking point. As we embark on the “Era of Responsibility”, the Call to Caring project will engage a wide range of communities and governments throughout King County to identify our responsibilities to each other and to develop new ways to thrive.
A Call to Caring is a research and community engagement project that will address the constraints of our current social safety net by identifying community strengths, needs and assets to explore innovative strategies that will deepen community ties in order to begin building a community structure that promotes long term economic stability and alleviate the need for emergency services.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the Seattle Human Services Coalition will use its ability to convene and mobilize various sectors throughout King County to asses the needs and potential structural changes that will support resident’s abilities to meet their basic human needs. Initial involvement will include a wide range of multi-cultural human service providers, low income and impoverished communities, non profit organizations, businesses, government, faith communities, immigrants and refugees, philanthropies, neighborhood leaders as well as our youth and elders. The research and community engagement phase of the Call to Caring will focus on collecting information from the above communities while building wide spread relationships and partnerships that will ground the implementation of the project in later stages.
a) The Department of Housing and Urban Developments’ mission to promote sustainable and economically viable communities is consistent with the Call to Caring project mission of identifying new ways of sustaining a healthy community through the utilization of existing human services in partnership with government and a wide, diverse range of communities throughout King County and the state of Washington. The Call to Caring project will specifically incorporate low income and residents in extreme poverty to ensure that the most vulnerable populations’ needs are addressed head on.
b) The Economic Development Administration is guided by the basic principle that distressed communities must be empowered to develop and implement their own economic development and revitalization strategies. The Call to Caring project follows this exact principle by bringing a wide range of diverse local communities together to strengthen and innovate ways to thrive.
Recipient’s name and address
Seattle Science Foundation: Not For Profit Entity
550 17th Avenue, Suite 600
Seattle, Washington 98122
Kids in Medicine science education program; $250,000:
The Seattle Science Foundation is a not-for-profit medical education and research organization. The Foundation’s Kids in Medicine program is a community outreach program designed for elementary school age children. The program combines short lectures tailored for the age group as well as unique, hands-on discovery opportunities with anatomical models, simulators, and cadaveric or animal tissue.After “gowning up," students explore the heart and brain by touching and feeling real organs, and experience a unique look into the human body. Students are exposed to a variety of medical and scientific fields of study beyond what they would traditionally recognize, in addition to interacting with medical professionals. The program tracks the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements and the National Science Education Content Standards.
The Foundation is teaming with the Shoreline School District to expand the Kids in Medicine program by developing a comprehensive medical science curriculum for 2nd through 4th graders. The goal of the curriculum is to stimulate an interest in the sciences through activities related to the field of medicine. With Federal funding, 2nd through 4th graders in all ten elementary schools in the Shoreline School District will be able to participate in the Kids in Medicine program. Four of these elementary schools are located in the Seventh Congressional District, including Briarcrest Elementary, Brookside Elementary, Meridian Park Elementary, and Ridgecrest Elementary.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because improving the teaching and learning of the sciences in U.S. schools is vital to maintaining America’s global competitiveness. The Kids in Medicine program addresses the urgent national need to stimulate the interest of elementary school children in the sciences and foster a desire to pursue careers in the medical and scientific fields. The program provides public school students with opportunities for study that they would not otherwise have, while emphasizing a subject that traditionally has not had a strong focus in elementary school.
Recipient’s name and address
The Center for Wooden Boats: Not For Profit Entity
1010 Valley Street
Seattle WA 98109
Hands-On Maritime Learning Center at Lake Union Park in Seattle; $2 million:
South Lake Union neighborhood and an integral part of Seattle’s “Center City” strategy to bring vitality to its downtown environment. The Center for Wooden Boats (CWB) is located adjacent to Lake Union Park, where, as an outcome of an extensive public planning process, CWB is expanding programs and facilities to support upwards of 200,000 visitors each year.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to expand free public programs and access to Seattle’s downtown Lake and the region’s remarkable maritime history. In combination with many public and private partners, The Center for Wooden Boats (CWB) is creating a world class experience in a historical context unparalleled in the nation.
Improve communities by improving economic conditions through partnership with non-profit community organizations. Investing in this project is a key to revitalizing the South Lake Union neighborhood by building a world class destination for heritage tourism and providing every citizen of Seattle free access to the city’s downtown lake.
Recipient’s name and address:
NVC Foundation: Not For Profit Entity
1212 South King Street
Seattle, WA 98144
NVC Foundation Memorial; $200,000:
To purchase land adjacent to the NVC Memorial Hall to build a memorial to Japanese Americans who were interned during WWII and to Japanese Americans who have served in the military and to expand the parking lot.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the project will improve the neighborhood by demolishing three structures that are an eyesore in the community and help revitalize the neighborhood. By providing additional parking for the NVC Memorial Hall the community uses for the hall will increase thus benefiting the community. (Expansion and renovation of the NVC Memorial Hall was funded in part through an earmark in HUD special projects in FY 2008).
The Nature Conservancy: 3 requests
Recipient’s name and address:
US Army Corps of Engineers: Not For Profit Entity
Requesting organization: The Nature Conservancy of Washington
1917 First Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project General Investigation: $1.5 million:
The Puget Sound Nearshore Restoration project is a cooperative project of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, other federal agencies and local sponsors, including state agencies, tribes, industries and conservation organizations. The purpose of the feasibility study is to evaluate the factors that are causing habitat decline and pollution in the Puget Sound Basin; formulate, evaluate and screen potential solutions to these problems; and recommend actions and projects.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the study will look for projects with both federal interest and support from communities that are willing to invest in addressing local habitat and pollution problems.
The project team is currently completing Stage II which will culminate in a strategic needs assessment report describing explicit problems underlying ecological decline in Puget Sound Nearshore.
This project and request for funding relates to the mission of the US Army Corps of Engineers that is documented on the Seattle District’s website (http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/PublicMenu/Menu.cfm?sitename=PUBLICAFFAIRS&pagename=mission) that mission is:
“Provide service to the Armed Forces and a Nation at peace or war by designing, constructing, operating, and permitting military / civil works infrastructure and projects that build the Nation's military and long term economic might in an environmentally sustainable way.
This is a cooperative project of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, other federal agencies and local sponsors, including state agencies, tribes, industries and conservation organizations. The purpose of the feasibility study is to evaluate the factors that are causing habitat decline and pollution in the Puget Sound Basin; formulate, evaluate and screen potential solutions to these problems; and recommend actions and projects. The study will look for projects with both federal interest and support from communities that are willing to invest in addressing local habitat and pollution problems
Recipient’s name and address:
US Army Corps of Engineers: Not For Profit Entity
Requesting organization: The Nature Conservancy of Washington
1917 First Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters Restoration Construction General Program: $2.5 million:
The project area encompasses the inland marine waters in northwest Washington State, including all waters in the Puget Sound drainage basin, the natural Hood Canal, and the Straits of Juan de Fuca. The Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters Restoration Program team constructs critical ecosystem restoration projects selected after consultation with local stakeholders and, includes several on-going restoration projects. The program is authorized to conduct feasibility studies, implement project restorations based on the designs accomplished by non-federal stakeholders, and consult on regional priorities consistent with fish recovery efforts.
Project Status: Since inception, the Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters Program has undertaken numerous critical restoration projects and activities in consultation with regional stakeholders, including the following scheduled for 2009 and 2010:
Seahurst Park Shoreline Ecosystem Restoration, Phase II – Construction in 2010: Project will restore approximately 1200-linear feet of shoreline by removing a large, concrete bulkhead with large rock armoring from the northern portion of the City of Burien’s Seahurst Park in central Puget Sound WA.
The project will mimic the natural mixed sediment beach at a nearby reference site with beach nourishment specially blended for the site. A similar PSAWR project was successfully completed in 2005 for the southern portion of the park. Post-monitoring activities will continue by sponsor as part of cost share agreement.
Emerging Program Consultations: The Section 544 authority requires the Corps to consult with regional stakeholders on high priority projects in the region. During the early years of implementation several emerging Washington State lead initiatives have developed. The following initiatives are at a stage in program development where more specific consultations are warranted:
- Washington State Puget Sound Partnership: Corps provides staff to aid development and plan implementation of the State of Washington’s 2020 Puget Sound Action Agenda in collaboration with the Puget Sound Federal Caucus.
- Washington State Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office: Corps consults on strategic salmon recovery needs such as the feasibility of stockpiles of large woody debris and dredged sand and gravel for future restoration projects.
- Federal Agency Consultation: Corps consults with other federal agencies to share technical expertise necessary for successful restoration actions, such as the NOAA effort to recover eelgrass at the City of Bainbridge Island Milwaukee Dock site and U.S. Navy efforts to remove derelict gear from submerged Puget Sound reefs.
Nooksack River Fish Passage – Construction 2010-2011: This dam removal project with water supply intake replacement will provide 26 river miles of additional salmon habitat on the middle fork of the Nooksack River. The site is owned by the City of Bellingham, which designed this project through collaboration with the Lummi Nation, the Nooksack Tribe, and the Nooksack watershed salmon recovery team. The project is the highest priority project for the Nooksack Salmon Recovery Plan federally accepted salmon recovery plan.
Snohomish River Estuary Project at Qwuloot – Construction 2009 and 2011Two sites in the Snohomish River estuary would restore nearly 825 acres. A collaboration among WDFW, NOAA, USFWS, Snohomish County and the Tulalip Tribe has designed these projects on public lands. Both sites are high priorities for EPA, the Snohomish River Salmon Enhancement Group and the State of Washington. Funding was appropriated in 2008 for the feasibility study and 2009 construction of the first site. Funds in 2010 will begin feasibility study of the second site. Expected results include enhanced salmon recovery numbers. Post-monitoring activities will continue by sponsor as part of costshare agreement.
Enhancing Federal Lands or Investments: The Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters Program provides funding for early action projects identified by the Puget Sound Nearshore Marine Habitat Restoration project. Federal funds are leverage with Washington state funds from the newly created Estuarine and Salmon Restoration Program. The Nearshore project will identify restoration and preservation needs and opportunities in the Puget Sound Basin, primarily on lands owned by local sponsors. It can also include federally owned lands such as the Nisqually, Dungeness and San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuges; the Olympic and Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forests; and San Juan Island National Historical Park, albeit, the land value is not included in cost-share with non-federal sponsors. Both the Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters Program and the Nearshore project benefit species managed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), including Southern resident orcas, Puget Sound chinook and Hood Canal summer chum salmon, bull trout, Stellar sea lion, marbled murrelet and bald eagle. A number of other candidate species for ESA listing and federal species of concern also occur in the project area.
Biodiversity Significance: Opportunities for preservation in this region are becoming limited, urban areas are expanding, and an extraordinary heritage of native species and ecosystems is at risk. Using PSAWR authority preservation opportunities are expanded by first restoring sites which are then preserved in perpetuity through legal agreements with the Corps. In total, Puget Sound is home to more than 220 species of fish, 26 different kinds of marine mammals, 150 species of birds and thousands of species of invertebrates. The project is designed to provide an ecosystem response to the ESA and other species-specific restoration and recovery initiatives, and would also benefit migratory bird species and their habitats
- Project support beyond recipient (community, etc.)
Each project implemented within this program will have a local sponsor. Local sponsors can be a state, municipality or tribe. Current project sponsors include the WA Department of Natural Resources and the Cities of Seattle, Tacoma and Burien. Local and state project supporters include WDFW, WDNR, the Puget Sound Partnership, the WA Department of Ecology, the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, the WA Salmon Recovery Office, King County, Kitsap County, Pierce County, People for Puget Sound, The Nature Conservancy and the National Wildlife Federation.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters Restoration Program team constructs critical ecosystem restoration projects selected after consultation with local stakeholders within a project area that encompasses the inland marine waters in northwest Washington State, including all waters in the Puget Sound drainage basin, the natural Hood Canal, and the Straits of Juan de Fuca.
The program is authorized to conduct feasibility studies, implement project restorations based on the designs developed by non-federal stakeholders, and consult on regional priorities consistent with fish recovery efforts.
This project and request for funding relates to the mission of the US Army Corps of Engineers that is documented on the Seattle District’s website (http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/PublicMenu/Menu.cfm?sitename=PUBLICAFFAIRS&pagename=mission) that mission is:
“Provide service to the Armed Forces and a Nation at peace or war by designing, constructing, operating, and permitting military / civil works infrastructure and projects that build the Nation's military and long term economic might in an environmentally sustainable way.
Recipient’s name and address:
US Army Corps of Engineers: Not For Profit Entity
1917 First Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund: $90 million:
The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) supports the conservation and recovery of Pacific salmon across the rivers, watersheds, and coastal areas they inhabit in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho and California. PCSRF was established by Congress in response to the listings of Pacific salmon and steelhead populations in the 1990s as well as the 1999 Pacific Salmon Treaty Agreement. In 1991, the federal government listed the Snake River Sockeye salmon as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. This listing, combined with subsequent listings of Chinook, Coho, Chum and Steelhead and Bull Trout stocks, covers about 75% of Washington State.
Funds appropriated for Washington State go to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB). Since 2000, SRFB grants and applicant matching contributions have totaled more than $374 million for funding over 920 projects in Washington. Projects funded by the SRFB result in improvements to salmon habitat and the environment. PCSRF funds have been used by state, local and tribal entities to restore and protect salmon habitat, conduct watershed assessments, develop local plans for restoration efforts and management, enhance salmon populations, educate constituencies and conduct research to monitor, evaluate and support salmon conservation and recovery.
PCSRF supplements and complements existing federal, state and tribal programs to conserve and restore Pacific salmon and steelhead. By working in conjunction with these programs, PCSRF continues to leverage the capabilities, expertise and information of multiple entities, while improving the effectiveness of salmon recovery efforts overall.
Results: The Salmon Recovery Funding Board supports monitoring in several ways. First, selected projects across the state are being studied to see which kinds of restoration actions are the most effective. Second, more intensive monitoring in selected watersheds also is being done to quantify resulting changes in salmon populations. Third, state agencies are working together through the Forum on Monitoring Salmon Recovery and Watershed Health to ensure that monitoring of state salmon recovery actions is well coordinated. Finally, many local government, tribes, and other organizations are monitoring watershed conditions.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because PCSRF is essential for responding to the ESA listings of Pacific salmon and steelhead populations. The listings of salmon are significant for a number of reasons. Salmon continues to be an integral part of the Pacific Northwest’s history, culture, economy and recreational enjoyment. Fishing supports businesses and provides jobs and recreational experiences for a wide range of citizens. For example, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reports the value of recreational fishing in Washington to be $1 billion in spending, while commercial fishing generates nearly $300 million in economic benefits.
The decrease in salmon populations also indicates that the overall health of the Pacific Northwest’s watersheds, including water quality and species diversity, is declining. Healthy wild fish populations provide the genetic diversity that is the basis for the long-term viability of salmon.
Recipient’s name and address
Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority (PDA): Not For Profit Entity
85 Pike St. # 500
Seattle, WA 98101
Pike Place Pedestrian, Farmer & Preschool Improvement & Expansion Projects; $1.5 million:
The Pike Place Market’s historic buildings are in the midst of a $100M renovation, all but $10M of which is funded. We seek a $1.5M appropriation for two of the unfunded projects. They are: 1) Enhance retail area and support facilities for seven-day-a-week, year-round farmers market to further promote state-based agricultural products; and 2) Expand the Market’s Preschool to add capacity for low-income children and infants.
Detailed description: Our request is for Federal assistance to match private, State, City and tax credit sources for two un-funded projects: 1) making improvements on Pike Place to improve pedestrian access and create new farmer selling areas; and 2) expansion of the Preschool serving low-income children. The Pike Place Market Historical District encompasses 9 acres in downtown Seattle, with buildings that date back to 1900. These historical structures were saved in the 1970’s by a citizen’s initiative and renovated at that time primarily with Federal Urban Renewal Funds. Today, Pike Place is an award-winning, mixed-use neighborhood (2007 American Planning Association - Top Ten Neighborhoods) and one of our nation’s oldest farmers’ markets. It’s also the only farmer’s market in Downtown Seattle serving its 35,000 residents.
Every year, 9 to 10 million people visit the Pike Place Market. Approximately 1,500 people are employed in the Market in winter months and about 2,400 in summer months. This kind of public popularity takes its toll on all of the Market’s buildings and structures. Cost estimates for repairs and expansion projects needed for all the Market’s buildings total $100 million. On Nov. 4, 2008, 61% of Seattle voters passed a levy to fund $68.6 million for major infrastructure repairs. We are now seeking funds for projects excluded from the levy.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the projects in this request will add long term improvements for farmer selling space and enable a 20% enrollment increase in our early education program for low-income families. Our request is for $1.5 million or 1.5% of the Market’s total needs.
Currently 100 farmers share 57, 8’ tables inside the Market’s arcade year-round. During summer months, the space expands to take over parking spaces on the street, adding 30 10’x10’ pop-up tents. Since the 2007 summer season, the Market’s capacity to accommodate farmers has been at physical capacity. Additional space is needed as our farmers market continues its trajectory of growth.
The Market’s Preschool dates from 1982 and no longer meets current health and licensing requirements for hand washing, toileting and air quality. Three studies have documented Seattle’s need for: 1) additional child care slots; 2) more infant and young toddler care; and 3) affordable care. The waiting list at one downtown Seattle infant center is 80 children. The renovation and expansion in this request will get the school up to code and increase capacity from 50-60 children, including 6 infants.
Recipient’s name and address
Women's Sports Foundation: Not For Profit Entity
1899 Hempstead Turnpike, Suite 400
Eisenhower Park
East Meadow, NY 11554
GoGIRLGo! Seattle Initiative; $650,000:
The Women’s Sports Foundation, founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King, is a nationally respected 501(c)3, not-for-profit education organization dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women through sports and fitness. The GoGirlGo! Seattle Initiative is a mentoring, education and development program targeting at-risk teens to prevent drop-outs, truancy, crime, violence and drug abuse by promoting participation in sport and physical activity during after school hours when teens are at greatest risk for dysfunctional social behaviors. The GoGirlGo! Initiative is being carried out throughout the Seattle metropolitan area.
The GoGirlGo! Seattle Initiative targets socio-economically underprivileged girls between the ages of 8 and 18 who are at-risk for social and behavioral indiscretions including dropping out of school and becoming involved drugs, alcohol, and other risky social behaviors. The GoGirlGo! education program is delivered through partner youth-serving schools and organizations. The program works with parents, coaches, after school programs and youth organizations to get inactive girls involved in regular physical activity which prevents involvement in other socially risky behavior. GoGirlGo! provides free curriculum materials and technical assistance to schools, recreation agencies and 300 non-profit girl-serving organizations that are committed to addressing the needs of sedentary girls. The Women’s Sports Foundation is requesting only the remaining federal share for the GoGirlGo! Seattle Initiative, as once this project is fully funded, it is a self-sustainable program. This program will also serve as the basis for a national model.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because dropping out of school is the number one predictor of juvenile delinquency. Research demonstrates that girls who participate in sports and physical activity are more likely than inactive girls to stay in school, graduate from high school, get better grades and matriculate in college. Girls who participate in sports and physical activity are less likely than inactive girls to experience unintended pregnancies, participate in drugs and alcohol, be physically or sexually assaulted, and are less likely to be suicidal.
Recipient’s name and address
Urban ArtWorks: Not For Profit Entity
923 South Bayview Street, Suite C
Seattle, WA 98134-2023
Urban ArtWorks Public Art Program; $100,000:
Urban ArtWorks was founded in 1995. The mission of ArtWorks is to empower youth through the creation of public art.
Our core public art program employs, trains, and mentors groups of at-risk and court involved youth ages 15-18 through the creation of public art murals. We have successfully partnered with the King County Superior Court Community Programs for over a decade to identify, recruit and support our youth. Our public art program teaches each youth the lessons of employment, art education and community involvement.
Youth enrolled in our public art program complete an eight week session, held Monday through Friday from 3:30 until 6:00pm (during the school year) and 1:00 to 5:00pm (during the summer). Youth in our school year program receive a minimum of 100 hours of direct engagement each session, while those in our summer session receive a minimum of 160 hours of direct engagement. We recently began a girls only Saturday morning program, to help us more effectively reach the increasing number of court involved young women As of December 2008, 96% of youth who completed our programs in 2007 and 2008 have not reoffended. ArtWorks also works with volunteer youth, helping them to meet service learning requirements by volunteering in our studio and beyond.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because NEA is to dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education. ArtWorks supports the creation of art with at risk and court involved youth, as well as with volunteer teens. Our programs provide art instruction and education to many youth who have had no exposure to the arts.
Recipient’s name and address
Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason: Not For Profit Entity
1201 Ninth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101-2795
Pre-symptomatic autoimmune disease detection demonstration project; $4.5 million:
BRI proposes to develop a demonstration project in which evaluation of patients’ genetics and immune phenotypes is conducted hand-in-hand with rational selection of therapy, and appropriate monitoring of immunological response. This will improve the delivery of health care, both by selecting the best therapy for the patients, speeding their recovery and limiting adverse outcomes, while greatly reducing health care expenditures.
This Initiative unites several important elements:
• A major area of unmet medical need— the State of Washington has a high prevalence of both autoimmune diabetes and multiple sclerosis (among the highest in the U.S.). Most patients with these diseases currently do not have access to cutting-edge research opportunities and therapeutics;
• Rapidly expanding areas of research —we are now equipped to identify genes commonly associated with susceptibility to different autoimmune diseases, recognizing that these genes are mediators of cellular immune phenotype. New technologies permit evaluation of these genetic markers and their correlation with specific immune phenotypes in human subjects, including some pioneered by investigators at BRI;
• Scientific and medical expertise—BRI investigators include leaders in autoimmune research with a strong history of scientific innovation, recognized by National Institutes of Health, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the Washington State Life Sciences Discovery Fund as a translational model for coupling laboratory and clinical research.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the Vision of the CDMRP is to “find and fund the best research to eradicate diseases and support the warfighter for the benefit of the American public.” And the Mission of the CDMRP is to provide hope by promoting innovative research, recognizing untapped opportunities, creating partnerships, and guarding the public trust. This proposal from BRI fits squarely within these Vision and Mission objectives.
Recipient’s name and address
Virginia Mason Medical Center: Not For Profit Entity
1100 Ninth Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
Virginia Mason Medical Center Emergency Department Capacity Expansion Project; $2 million:
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the new Emergency Department at Virginia Mason Medical Center will meet the growing demand for care sought through the Virginia Mason ED by reducing wait times for patients and reducing delays for patients admitted to the VM hospital through the ED. This will be done not by increasing the size of the ED, but by improving the flow of care and implementing more efficient processes that reduce divert hours. Furthermore, VM will conserve healthcare resources by building a facility that improves delivery of service. This will ensuring community access to critical health care resources and services in the event of a major seismic event, uninterrupted provision of care, stable and uninterrupted systems to support providers. The new facility design includes separate ambulance and walk-in entry portals, disposition space, treatment space and on-site imaging with general radiology (X-ray), ultrasound and CT.
Recipient’s name and address
Washington State Mentors: Not For Profit Entity
1605 NW Sammamish Road, suite 100
Issaquah, WA, 98027
Mentoring Initiative for At-Risk Youth; $300,000:
There are more than 240,000 at-risk youth in Washington State that could benefit from a mentor, yet fewer than 30,000 have one. One of the key reasons for this mentoring gap is the low capacity of organizations providing mentoring services in the state.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the proposed project would address this need in Congressional District 7 and is made up of two components: subgrants and training/technical assistance to direct-service mentoring organizations.
Two types of subgrants will be delivered to direct-service providers through Washington State Mentors as part of this project. The first set will increase the number of youth with a mentor by 300, or 1 percent above the current number of active statewide mentor-mentee matches. The second set is designed to improve the capacity of an additional 5 -10 mentoring programs by providing them with funding to expand FTEs in one of three areas: program management, development or evaluation. Washington State Mentors will issue a request for proposals, score, select and manage both sets of subgrants.
The second component of this project centers on delivering training and technical assistance to mentoring providers in order to increase the quality of mentoring practiced and decrease the cost of operating a program by helping recruit mentors. Currently, fewer than 40 percent of mentoring programs in the state employ all best practices in their day-to-day activities.
Recipient’s name and address
New Futures: Not For Profit Entity
630 SW 149th Street, Suite B
Burien, WA 98166
Woodbridge Park Community Center: $450,000:
The project would entail the planning, design and construction of a new modular building located in South Seattle. The existing center, operated by New Futures, is currently being utilized by about 30 to 40 resident children and youth. Programming for children and youth includes after-school tutoring, educational and recreational activities, arts and crafts classes, computer technology and positive social interaction. Constructing a new facility would double the capacity and allow a wider variety of activities and uses.
Currently, New Futures operates out of three converted apartment units. These temporary facilities will soon be severely stressed by the 70+ children and youth ages 6 to17 who currently reside at Woodridge Park apartment complex. Because the apartments were never intended as a community center, the space constraints severely limit programming options and capacity for children and youth activities. Building a new facility with additional capacity, utility, safety and programming will not only increase the educational and recreational opportunities for the children and youth living in this community, but will also give their parents and other adults living at Woodridge Park access to basic education, employment training, language skills and parent support, which lead to increased self-sufficiency, self-esteem and economic well-being.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because this project will allow New Futures to serve a larger number of low- and moderate-income residents at an apartment building owned by King County Housing Authority in the South Seattle area of King County. New Futures staff has recently located onsite at the Woodridge Park Apartments to offer after-school educational and recreational services to the children and youth living there who are at risk of school failure. New Futures also offers family support with basic needs, community development activities, and skill-building opportunities such as English and computer classes.
Recipient’s name and address:
YMCA of Greater Seattle: Not For Profit Entity
909 Fourth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
Business Internship and Career Development Program for Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care; $439,530:
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because foster youth and former foster youth will receive paid internships at local businesses and nonprofits. Youth will receive training and ongoing support from the YMCA Center for Young Adults, a resource center for foster youth in Seattle. Local business and nonprofit leaders will provide valuable work experience and professional mentoring. The project will use all seven employment “highlighted practices” from the Foster Youth Demonstration Project, such as providing paid work experience, retention support, and youth involvement in program design.
Recipient’s name and address
Lockheed Martin Aculight: For Profit Entity
22121 20th Ave., SE
Bothell, WA 98021
Optical Neural Techniques for Combat / Post-Trauma Healthcare; $4.7 million:
Improvements in the treatment of battlefield injuries have dramatically increased current survival rates for injured soldiers. Unfortunately, a much higher proportion of those wounded have very serious injuries that require a lifetime of chronic care.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because optical neural techniques under development hold promise for vastly improved treatments for many injuries suffered in combat, including loss of hearing and balance, chronic pain and depression. The initial development effort is directed at hearing loss. Fully 30% of soldiers deployed to Iraq return with a measurable level of hearing loss. They are more than 50 times more likely to experience hearing loss than other soldiers. Impaired hearing affects soldiers’ situational awareness, endangering individuals and their units. Soldiers may be unable to return to similar roles in the Armed Forces or even stay on active duty, and their quality of life is adversely affected.
Compensation for hearing loss is the most costly disability benefit now paid by the VA, amounting to over $1 billion annually.
Underlying optical neural technology may eventually be able to reduce the effects of trauma before they have severe impact. For example, by quickly applying infrared light treatment to blast damaged areas like the auditory system, death of nerve cells may be prevented. This could greatly minimize permanent damage and need for chronic care.
Today’s technology offers little hope for full restoration of function in most cases involving soldiers’ loss of hearing or balance, or for managing pain and tremors. These injured soldiers are often not able to return to duty, and their injuries permanently affect their quality of life.
A new generation of technologies utilizing mid-infrared lasers offers hope for many of these conditions. Optical nerve stimulation has many advantages over current clinical technology, which utilizes electrical nerve stimulation in some cases to treat hearing loss, Parkinson’s disease, pain, and depression. Optical nerve stimulation systems can accurately target affected nerves and tissues and treat them without impacting surrounding tissues. This technology treats the problem (e.g., relieves pain) more effectively without causing negative side effects (e.g., numbness in unrelated limbs), and ultimately improves quality of life.
Recipient’s name and address
Birdstep Technology, Inc. : For Profit Entity
2101 4th Ave
Suite 240
Seattle, WA 98121 USA
PDA Security Technology Program; $2.5 million:
The personal digital assistants (PDAs), currently being used by US military personnel and first responders, are not sufficiently secure. The PDA Security Technology Program enables a robust, reliable database specifically designed for embedded and mobile computing systems with applications requiring security, ultra small footprint, in-memory operation, minimum runtime memory usage, and high performance.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the Initial economical impact will be Birdstep Technology, Inc’s ability to maintain its current staff and health benefits for its families. Another direct benefit of an investment would be Birdstep’s ability to strengthen its competency in and ability to provide safety critical solutions for the military and aerospace sectors by hiring unemployed skilled professionals from the area. Building a center of excellence will bring even more military aerospace projects to the Washington area, an industry with strong traditions in Washington State, resulting in more opportunities for unemployed technology professionals.
Recipient’s name and address
BioSonics, Inc.: For Profit Entity
4027 Leary Way NW
Seattle, WA 98107
Hydroacoustic Monitoring for Marine Renewable Energy Systems in Puget Sound; $2.0 million:
BioSonics, Inc. and the University of Washington, along with input from all regional stakeholders, propose to utilize patented, state of the art technology to conduct long term underwater studies, using environmentally safe, remote sensing, hydroacoustic systems, to help answer many questions regarding fish and marine mammal migration and behavior at potential tidal energy sites in Puget Sound.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the knowledge gained from these studies will be shared with all stakeholders and the public to help make informed decisions about the viability of tidal power as a renewable energy resource. The Navy and the State of Washington each have mandates to substantially increase the use of energy derived from renewable resources. Tidal energy derived from potential sites in Puget Sound may provide a viable solution. A major factor in site selection is to assess the potential environmental impacts of developing the site, with particular focus on endangered fish populations and marine mammals to assure National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance. Although there is substantial knowledge about which species live in or migrate through Puget Sound, little is known about the specific migratory routes and general distribution of species at the potential tidal energy sites. This lack of detailed knowledge presents a major obstacle in tidal energy testing and development, as it will be necessary to avoid highly sensitive areas.
Congress has mandated that the Department of Defense procure 25% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2025. This project will facilitate the U.S. Navy’s pilot tidal energy project that, if successful, will provide a reliable, low cost, non-polluting source of electrical power to Puget Sound Naval facilities.
The Puget Sound in Washington State possesses great potential for tidal-based kinetic hydropower development. However, while kinetic hydropower is receiving significant interest from energy developers, the U.S. Navy, government regulators and the public, many obstacles lay in the path to its widespread development, particularly in regards to permitting and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Several major factors must be considered in order to evaluate and prioritize potential development sites in the Puget Sound.
Recipient’s name and address
Blood Cell Storage, Inc.: For Profit Entity
Ship Canal Office Center
146 North Canal Street, Suite #103
Seattle, WA 98103
Multi-dose Closed-loop pH Monitoring System for Platelets; $1.0 million:
This project would allow Blood Cell Storage, in conjunction with the United States Army Medical Research Command (USARMC) to improve the quality of stored platelets used for transfusion. A multi-dose closed-loop pH monitoring system will be developed to allow military blood banks to monitor the viability of multiple platelet storage bags. Poor quality (contaminated) bags can be removed from inventory and ensure effective transfusion.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because safeguarding the safety and quality of platelets is of crucial importance, as platelets, or thrombocytes, are the cells circulating in the blood that are involved in the cellular mechanisms of primary hemostasis leading to the formation of blood clots. To complicate the issue, platelets can only be stored at room temperature, and for a few days unlike other blood components such as plasma and red cells, which can be refrigerated for weeks. Currently, the quality of platelet concentrates can be determined by either an extremely subjective visual check, by testing random samples directly from the sterile bag, thus compromising sterility of the remaining platelets, or through the use of a single closed-loop pH monitoring system.
This project will utilize proven technology to allow for nearly constant, non-invasive testing of multiple therapeutic doses, rather than a random sample, prior to transfusion, allowing for labor reduction and multiple bag reading, thereby increasing the efficiency of distribution and supply. It will improve survivability, ensure better medical treatment outcomes, and greatly aide current Combat Casualty Care efforts regarding hemorrhage control, blood, and resuscitative fluids testing and evaluation.
Recipient’s name and address:
LSP Technologies: For Profit Entity
6145 Scherers Place
Dublin, OH 43016-12-84
AND:
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems: For Profit Entity
Seattle, WA
Mobile Laser Systems for Aircraft Structures (MLSAS); $1.0 million:
The purpose is to develop a prototype mobile laser peening system with the Air Force that will be demonstrated in 2010. The program will develop a productionized version of a unit which will have numerous refinements to make it suitable for use in aerospace manufacturing environments and Air Force repair and maintenance facilities. The technology will have cross service applications to Army helicopter platforms. It will include the ability to perform laser peening and laser bond inspection, on-board temperature and other environmental controls, self-alignment and diagnostic features, and a control system that will permit easy use and analysis of results.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because laser peening is an innovative surface-enhancement technology that has proven very effective in solving many of the fatigue problems currently plaguing military aircraft. Laser peening has been used quite successfully to extend fatigue performance of turbine engine blades. Laser peening also has enormous potential to address important fatigue problems for aircraft structures such as the wing lug attachments for the F/A-22 Raptor and parts for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The Army has established a technology insertion program to use laser peening in support of major helicopter programs, including the AH-64 Apache and CH-47 Chinook fleets. Laser Bond Inspection (LBI) is an extension of the technology. It is a nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technology for testing the integrity of adhesively bonded composite materials and structures. The technology has been developed jointly by Boeing and LSP Technologies, Inc. under the Air Force’s Composites Affordability Initiative (CAI). LBI can identify problems that existing NDE methods do not detect, such as “kissing bonds”, where the bonded materials are in contact but without structural strength. LBI will be a key technology for ensuring the reliability of unmanned vehicles (UAVs) and for emerging commercial aircraft such as Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner. The technology provides significant cost savings and reductions in crew injuries/deaths. The Air Force has estimated that $100 million has been saved in maintenance/repair costs under tentative use of the original technology. The benefit is expected to be in excess of $1 billion when applied to other aircraft applications across both the Army and Air Force. More importantly, the technology improves crew safety and mission readiness. One example is the Air Force ManTech Program conclusion that it will have prevented 42 catastrophic failures over the remaining life of the B-1B/F101. Typically, laser peening systems are not mobile and require highly controlled environments to operate properly. Existing laser peening systems, contained in large semi-trailers, have been judged too cumbersome, too complex, and too costly by aerospace manufacturers to effectively get the job done. Both the Air Force and Army have identified the development of this technology as critical for their maintenance and repair depots involving all existing aircraft platforms. Once completed the project will enable the use of the technologies on military sites through a mobile laser system. It addresses ongoing fatigue issues while increasing cost efficiencies and quality control.
Recipient’s name and address:
Cascade Designs: For Profit Entity
4000 1st Ave, South
Seattle, WA 98134
U.S. Marine Corps – Squad Stove Kit; $2.0 million:
In their search for an updated squad stove the Marine Corps surveyed the existing commercial market and found that Cascade Designs’ MSR XGK-EX has nearly all of the attributes they require. The XGK-EX is an expedition-caliber stove that provides unmatched reliability, field-maintainability, and the ability to burn a wide range of fuels at most any altitude. This stove has proven itself with over 20 years of performance in the world's harshest environments. The standard XGK-EX is:
- Designed to melt snow for water at high altitude in extreme weather conditions, and therefore provides squad-level heat output;
- Capable of burning a wide variety of fuel types by inserting different fuel jets;
- Stably accommodates a wide range of cookware sizes, from small cold-weather cups to wide snow-melting pots.
- Made in the U.S.A.
Cascade Designs worked with the U.S. Marine Corps to modify the XGK-EX into a specially tailored kit that meets their specific needs, culminating in a successful 2008 Marine field test involving 500 XGK Squad Stove Kits. This work resulted in customization and kitting changes to fit the requirements of the U.S Marine Corps.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because limited U.S. Marine Corps funding has slowed the fielding of necessary individual equipment for deployed forces. The U.S. Marine Corps have identified the XGK – Squad Stove Kit as an essential component of the Family of Combat Clothing and Equipment Program and have incorporated it as part of the U.S. Marine Corps Unfunded Requirements List.
The phasing out of trioxane fuel bars for sustainment of individuals in the field is increasing the importance of liquid-fuel burning squad stoves. This and transitioning to the supply chain requirements of a “single-fuel battlefield” (i.e., JP-8) is giving the U.S. Marine Corps an opportunity to upgrade this important and valued piece of standard-issue equipment. Access to small stoves boosts moral and plays an important role in promoting individual hydration by allowing snow melting and the sterilization of found water supplies.
Recipient’s name and address
Cerus Corporation: For Profit Entity
2411 Stanwell Drive
Concord, CA 94520
University of Washington: Not For Profit Entity
921 Terry Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
Puget Sound Blood Center: Not For Profit Entity
1959 Pacific Ave NE
Box 537185
Seattle, WA 98195-0065
Blood Safety and Decontamination Technology; $5.1 million:
Blood is the lifeline of the U.S. armed forces. Military hospitals transfuse more than 54,000 units of red cells, 20,000 units of plasma, and 5,000 units of platelets every year for active duty personnel, retirees, and military family members.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the blood decontamination technology will improve the safety and availability of both the military and civilian blood supplies. As an example, the technology for platelets is being used by the Belgian Armed Forces Hospital, Belgian civilian blood centers, the French Army, and by the French National Transfusion Service (EFS). Funding will be used for development of blood safety and decontamination technology in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Bala Cynwyd, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Blood transfusion is a critical supportive therapy for effective healthcare. Over the past 40 years, transfusion-transmitted infections (TTI) have resulted in substantial morbidity and mortality for recipients of blood products. The experience with TTI due to HBV and HCV emphasizes the serious long-term adverse health effects of TTI. The quintessential example of the devastation caused by an emerging transfusion-transmitted pathogen is the HIV pandemic which resulted in at least 12,000 TTI in the U.S. alone. Although significant progress has been made over the last four decades to reduce the risk of TTI through the incremental addition of intensive donor screening and testing, significant risks remain for transmission of viruses, bacteria, and protozoa through blood transfusion. Moreover, new TTI pathogens continue to emerge.
Recipient’s name and address
CoCo Communications Corp. : For Profit Entity
999 Third Avenue, Suite 3700
Seattle, WA 98104
Mobile Ad-hoc Network Applications and Development – Battle Command on the Move; $4.5 million:
The Army has a requirement to exploit information on the battlefield through the use of networked forces. As such, wireless (fixed infrastructure-free) mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) will be critical enablers for reliable and flexible communications support for battle command on the move (BCOTM) for our future forces.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because to date, existing protocols have been inadequate to address the technical gaps facing the Army. However, CoCo Communications, through an ongoing RAND project entitled, “Exploring the Impact of Different Command, Control, and Communications Hierarchies on Force Effectiveness,” proved their cryptographic overlay mesh protocol (COMP) satisfied the Army requirements. The ongoing RAND project seeks to improve the existing Army analytic base for specifying the characteristics and performance attributes of the communications network for our future maneuver force; specifically in the area of high-resolution modeling and simulation. This project request will follow on the successes achieved in the RAND effort, demonstrating the general applicability of the CoCo Communications technology in a practical field environment, beyond modeling and simulation, using actual Army radios in a test-bed scenario environment.
Recipient’s name and address
Cray, Inc.: For Profit Entity
411 First Avenue S
Suite 600
Seattle, WA 98104
King County
Pacific Northwest National Lab
902 Battelle Boulevard
Richland, WA
Benton County
Using Analytics Supercomputing to Uncover Illicit Activity; $10 million:
Vast amounts of homeland security data are collected from computers, sensors and other high-tech instruments, but processing and discovering relationships hidden within the data is still a real challenge. DHS needs the ability to find the illicit activities of people within a complex web of information in an expeditious manner. Traditional supercomputers are incapable of performing this “connect the dots” data analysis in a timely fashion. The Cray XMT was purposefully built to do such analysis and improve the execution speed of irregular data-intensive analysis.
Add $60 million to the National Security Agency’s RDT&E, Defense-Wide, Line 177, PE 0301011G, Cryptologic Activities account in the FY10 Defense Appropriations bill and the FY10 Intelligence Authorization bill to continue the government’s Integrated High-End Computing Research and Development Program.
Suggested Report Language
“The Committee recommends $60 million for the Integrated High-End Computing Program to continue further advances in adaptive supercomputing software and hardware technologies complementing and leveraging the success of the DARPA HPCS program.”
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because vast amounts of homeland security data are collected from computers, sensors and other high-tech instruments, but processing and discovering relationships hidden within the data is still a real challenge. DHS needs the ability to find the illicit activities of people within a complex web of information in an expeditious manner. Traditional supercomputers are incapable of performing this “connect the dots” data analysis in a timely fashion. The Cray XMT was purposefully built to do such analysis and improve the execution speed of irregular data-intensive analysis.
Funding is to provide DHS with access to the new XMT supercomputing technology and a suite of applications developed by PNNL to help DHS solve its critical data analysis problems. Requested funding includes system acquisition costs and hardware and software development. The goal is to allow DHS analysts to effectively utilize the full benefits and power of the Cray XMT without requiring them to learn the intricacies of the system or to become expert supercomputer application developers. This will be accomplished by providing specific graph application kernels that may be applied across different problems, an integration framework for linking together different applications and tools, and high-level interfaces that may allow DHS analysts to easily express and encode their graph analysis problems. PNNL will also provide education, training and outreach to DHS analysts.
Today, large backlogs of scientists and engineers from every field have to wait to use government supercomputers. In fact, for every 4 users, 3 have to wait, and the one that gains access to the computing resource is typically given only a fraction of the time they need. A much larger group of scientists and engineers want to use supercomputing but simply cannot. These scientists cannot afford to spend the time, effort and money trying to use today’s cumbersome supercomputing technology to solve their science problems. Programming and administrative costs often exceed the actual cost of the supercomputer, and system bottlenecks often prevent scientists from solving problems in a timely fashion. As a result, science suffers, and we miss out on important scientific and engineering breakthroughs. In addition, many very demanding government applications now require sustained petaflops computing. For DoD, this means big improvements are necessary to maintain our technology lead in weapons developments such as army future combat systems, cryptanalysis, signals and image processing, missile defense and biological sciences.
Recipient’s name and address
EnerG2: For Profit Entity
810 3rd Ave., Suite 120
Seattle, WA 98104
Department of Energy Fossil Energy Natural Gas Technologies account for innovative technologies for low environmental impact natural gas production, produced water treatment, and distributed natural gas storage; $40 million:
This request would increase funding in the Department of Energy Fossil Energy Natural Gas Technologies account for innovative technologies for low environmental impact domestic natural gas production and distributed natural gas storage. Abundant and diverse supplies of clean energy, including natural gas, are vital to industrial competitiveness, high-paying jobs and quality of life. American families and businesses rely on natural gas. Natural gas is produced domestically in 30 states, and represents an important source of fuel in every region of the country and every sector of the economy. A growing proportion of the Nation’s new electricity generation capacity is natural gas-fired, providing capacity to meet peak electricity demand in tandem with electricity from renewable energy resources. Natural gas is a feedstock and primary fuel for a wide range of U.S. industries.
Report language: $40M in the Department of Energy Fossil Energy Natural Gas Technologies account for innovative technologies for low environmental impact natural gas production, produced water treatment, and distributed natural gas storage
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because expanding DOE research on innovative technologies for low environmental impact natural gas production including produced water treatment could yield significant energy and environmental benefits. The United States’ endowment of natural gas resources is significant, and if economically developed could enhance energy and economic security. The more widespread deployment of cleaner, smarter, more efficient and environmentally protective natural gas production technologies is integral to the responsible production of domestic natural gas. Much of the technically recoverable natural gas in the United States resides in unconventional tight sands, coal bed and shale gas reservoirs. Water use and produced water management present significant challenges and opportunities for increasing U.S. natural gas supplies. Over 15-20 billion barrels of produced water (water brought to the surface from geologic formations in conjunction with oil and gas) are generated each year in the United States. Produced water when effectively treated and/or recycled has the potential for a wide range of beneficial uses such as providing supplies of useable water for oil and gas-field operations, municipal water supplies, agriculture, other industries and renewable energy. The extraction of minerals from produced water if proven technically and economically achievable could provide a secure domestic source of lithium for electronics and transportation.
Nearly all natural gas in the U.S. is transported, often over long distances, through interstate pipelines and local distribution systems that are responsible for delivering the natural gas to homes, industry, and businesses. Natural gas storage plays a vital role in maintaining the reliability of supply needed to meet the demands of consumers. Traditionally, natural gas has been stored in large underground storage facilities such as depleted gas fields, salt or rock caverns, and aquifers. Most of these facilities are located near major eastern and mid-continent markets. DOE has previously supported research to investigate novel storage concepts that could allow greater flexibility in locating sites for future storage facilities, e.g., to supplement hydroelectric power generation in the northwest. A new DOE natural gas storage and delivery research and demonstration program could investigate innovative concepts for distributed natural gas storage.
Natural Gas research and development projects will create 10-30 high value technical jobs at EnerG2. More importantly, this could establish Washington State as the leader in advanced natural gas technologies, and in collaboration with the Washington University system and Pacific Northwest National laboratory, establish Washington State as a premier national energy innovation center. The longer term vision of a Washington State Energy Innovation Center will develop a new forward looking industry that will have broad impact socially and economically on the local community.
Recipient’s name and address
Evergreen Recycling, Inc.: For Profit Entity
PO Box 3971
Seattle, WA 98124
Washington State Zero Waste to Landfill Demonstration; $1.2 million:
This project will demonstrate and evaluate available technologies needed to achieve the military’s sustainability goals of zero waste to landfill by 2025.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because a key component of Army RDT&E is the Environmental Quality Technology (EQT) Program. The objective of this program is to provide technologies that will improve the Army's ability to comply with requirements mandated by federal, state and local environmental/health laws and support the long-term sustainment of Army training and testing activities.
The project addresses two of the Army’s Environmental Requirements: Waste Management Utilizing Waste Characteristics (CM-6-07-02) and Zero Footprint Base Camps (PP-5-07-01).
Recipient’s name and address
FATE Therapeutics, Inc.: For Profit Entity
1124 Columbia Street Suite 600
Seattle, WA 98104
Regenerative Medicine for Acute Deafness; $3.0 million:
Among veterans, hearing loss is the most common service-connected disability. A 2004 survey showed that 28 percent of troops coming home from a war zone have diminished hearing. In 2004, the Veterans Administration (VA) paid $633.8 million to 378,982 veterans whose main disability was hearing loss, according to the Army's Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine. That number has since grown to more than $1.2 billion annually in compensation costs for hearing loss and hearing related injuries.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because in a 2005 study, the Center for Naval Analyses found that permanent hearing loss is one of the most common disabilities among sailors and recommended expansion of active military hearing-conservation programs that work to reduce noise exposure. Fate Therapeutics, a private biotechnology company, has converged the leading scientific expertise and research in stem cell and developmental biology to discover and develop regenerative medicines to treat a number of diseases and conditions that currently have little to no therapeutic options, including acute hearing loss. In order to advance the development from basic research to clinical readiness of a first generation medicine to restore hearing, Fate Therapeutics is requesting $3.0 million in federal funding.
Recipient’s name and address
Isotron Corporation: For Profit Entity
1443 N Northlake Way
Seattle, WA 98103
RadiaCards: Smart Devices for Monitoring Radiological Agents in Water; $2.0 Million:
This project will advance the technology of RadiaCards, devices used to monitor radiological agents in drinking water. Current methods used by the warfighter to detect contaminants can pose health risks, and instant identification of the contaminant is not possible in the field. RadiaCards detect a single radioactive material, allowing for identification of the threat in an enclosed design. The cards have been tested with radionuclides and configured to work with the Radiac meters used by the Army. Due to their adaptable design, the cards are expected to be compatible w/ all types of devices used by the military, DOE facilities and nuclear power plants. This effort seeks to further develop the RadiaCard technology and realize field transition
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the ability to quickly and effectively determine dangerous pollutants in water that affect our warfighter. RadiaCards are a low-cost, high impact solution that will reduce dangerous exposure of military personnel in-field by significantly reducing the time to discovery result of any poisons in adjacent water supplies. The net effect will be to protect soldiers’ lives and safety both in terms of actual combat, but also to minimize the amount of time necessary to ascertain contamination of potable water supplies in the combat area.
Recipient’s name and address
MicroPlanet: For Profit Entity
6310 NE 74th Street, Suite 104E,
Seattle, WA 98115
Washington Smart Grid Initiative - Energy Reductions through Improved Grid Efficiency; $2.3 million:
Demonstrate an overall energy reduction of 5-8% by improving the efficiency of the electrical grid. Project savings will be verified by an independent 3rd party and the local utility (Seattle City Light, Puget Sound Energy and/or Snohomish PUD). The initial programs will create approximately 10 jobs in research, manufacturing and construction. Deploying on a larger scale could create several thousand manufacturing and construction jobs in Washington.
- Energy Conservation Schools, Community Centers, Low Income and Municipal Facilities
Microplanet proposes to install voltage regulation technology on 25 municipal facilities in cooperation with local utilities to substantially reduce energy consumption. The municipal sites could include the following: schools, libraries, low income housing units, senior housing units and municipal facilities. The local utilities will measure and verify energy savings.
- Energy Conservation Small Business Commercial
This program would be to demonstrate an energy reduction program for small businesses in Washington. MicroPlanet would install voltage regulation technology in 10 small commercial sites. The local utilities would measure and verify energy savings.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the project would improve the efficiency of the electrical grid, conserve energy, reduce waste, and lower energy bills by making the grid “smarter” with current, proven technology. Citizens would benefit directly from lower energy bills, the environmental benefits of reduced greenhouse gas emissions, a reduced dependence on foreign oil and the addition of new “green jobs” in Western Washington.
Recipient’s name and address:
Outdoor Research: For Profit Entity
2203 1st Ave, South
Seattle, WA 98134
Special Operations Forces Modular Glove System; $5.0 million:
The Special Operations Command has an established requirement for a Modular Glove System to better meet the real-world mission needs of its Special Operations Forces (SOF) in a broad range of deployed environments. The operator must be able to tailor his hand wear for multiple sets of environmental conditions (i.e. desert to mountainous terrain, direct action mission profiles of short duration to extended cold weather operations while under heavy load) and maintain dexterity/comfort in the extremities. Recent operational experience indicates that users require improvements/additions to currently fielded glove systems. The SOF Modular Glove System utilizes five interchangeable gloves and applies the latest textile technology to reduce weight, minimize thermal discomfort in extreme cold weather, enable maximum dexterity, tactility, flexibility, protect the hand from heat and flame threats and provide exceptional moisture management.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the Special Operations Command intends to provide its operators with a protective glove system that enables them to conduct operations in all battlefield conditions, including extreme cold weather environments. Developed to be compatible with the SOF’s Protective Combat Uniform designed for frigid conditions, this SOF Modular Glove System will provide cold weather protection to -50 degrees as well as provide waterproof protection in wet conditions.
This SOF Modular Glove System meets the mission requirement by utilizing advanced construction and fit technologies in five compatible gloves: a contact glove, a flame resistant contact glove, an intermediate cold wet glove, and extreme cold weather glove and an extreme cold weather mitt.
Recipient’s name and address:
Spaltudaq Corporation: For Profit Entity
1124 Columbia Street, Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98104
I-STAR Antibody Technology Initiative to Develop an HIV/AIDS Vaccine; $4.6 million:
The project will uniquely examine the native immune response of long term HIV non-progressing survivors and lead to definition of the best proteins to build an anti-HIV/AIDS vaccine. Despite 20 years of significant national funding, numerous HIV vaccine trials have failed, prompting a “we need to start over” call from the medical research front. Spaltudaq, known for its ground breaking I-STAR antibody discovery platform, has identified protective antibodies (disease fighting proteins generated by B cells) from blood samples donated by rare, long-term non-progressors -- people who have been HIV positive for many years but have no symptoms. Their immune systems appear to have created novel ways of recognizing and neutralizing the HIV virus. Spaltudaq’s I-STAR platform can sort out these relevant antibodies from among millions of unrelated proteins. These unique virus fighting antibodies can be used to reverse engineer preventative vaccines and treatments for AIDS patients or at risk military personnel.
According to the requestor, this is a good use of public funds because the U.S. Government, particularly DOD, is a leader in the R&D of therapies to combat infectious diseases. Walter Reed’s Army Institute of Research is at the forefront of the HIV/AIDS battle. Combating HIV/AIDS protects US interests throughout Africa and other parts of the world where the HIV/AIDS rate is increasing, as is the prevalence of terror groups, such as Indonesia and Pakistan. This work is essential to the expanding DOD mission to protect personnel and prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS, in order to increase stability in developing countries and stem the progress of insurgent groups in the developing world.
HIV/AIDS directly afflicts over 40 million people globally and is still spreading, threatening to become the 21st Century’s top infectious killer. The Council on Foreign Relations reports the devastation associated with the HIV/AIDS pandemic is affecting the security of States throughout the world, weakening economies, military and police forces, government institutions, and social structure. HIV/AIDS effectively destabilizes governments through the ravaging of health delivery systems, creates millions of orphans annually across the planet, reduces labor forces and tax bases, and decimates of military and security forces. Anti-Western sentiments grow in proportion to the incidence of HIV/AIDS. Where this destabilization occurs, especially when coupled with heightened anti-Western views and the conscription of orphans into paramilitaries and armies, the political landscape is ripe for rogue organizations or regimes to fill the void in leadership and topple heads of state. This ascension to power by rogue players threatens America’s strategic military and diplomatic interests around the world and could jeopardize the safety of Americans at home and abroad. Additionally, DOD is concerned about the exposure of its personnel to HIV and has declared HIV a “Militarily Relevant Infectious Disease.” Therefore, due to the destabilizing effects of HIV/AIDS and the risk to DOD personnel, DOD is now actively involved in the pursuit of an HIV/AIDS vaccine.
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