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Congressman John T. Salazar, Third District of Colorado

Congressman Salazar's Funding Priorities for Energy & Water

As a new member of the Appropriations Committee, I have new oversight responsibilities for the spending of federal dollars, as well as an increased role in the prioritization of federal spending.

For too long, the process of Congressional funding requests lacked transparency and accountability, leading some members of Congress to abuse it and the public trust. Since assuming the majority in 2007, Congressional Democrats have significantly reformed the process, including ensuring that every American can easily determine which member of Congress has submitted a requests.

Below you will find a list of my funding requests for the Energy & Water Appropriations bill.

Mancos Project-Jackson Gulch Rehabilitation Project
$2,630,015
Mancos Water Conservancy District
42888 Road ‘N'
Mancos, CO
Explanation: The Mancos Project is over 60 years old and rehabilitation is essential due to advanced structural deterioration and structural distress, seepage, loss of an access road due to land slides and additional risks of land slides. Municipal and agricultural water is diverted to and from Jackson Gulch Reservoir by 4.9 miles of concrete and earthen canal. Drinking and Agricultural water is essential for the livelihood of the residents in Southwestern Colorado.

Basalt Rive, Colorado
$150,000
Army Corps of Engineers-Sacramento District
1325 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Explanation: This study area is located along the Roaring Fork River in Basalt, CO. The study would focus on stabilizing the Roaring Fork River to prevent flooding in the middle of downtown Basalt and two residential neighborhoods.

Blue River, CO
$100,000
Army Corps of Engineers-Sacramento District
1325 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Explanation: This project will enhance fish and wildlife habitat, expand wetlands, revegetate the rivers flood plain, improve water quality, conserve water, and provide environmental education.

North Fork Gunnison, CO
$3,655,000
Army Corps of Engineers-Sacramento District
1325 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95817
Explanation: The North Fork Gunnison River has been devastated by decades of channelization, gravel mining, and encroachment. This project provides aquatic ecosystem restoration.

Tamarisk Eradication, CO
$100,000
Army Corps of Engineers-Albuquerque District
1325 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Explanation: This project, located along the Colorado River, consists of various management measures to restore aquatic and hydrologic functions and conditions and related riparian and seasonal wetland habitats. Tamarisk is known to suck dry creek beds, rivers, and all other water sources which are already limited in Colorado.

Tamarisk Eradication, CO
$300,000
Army Corps of Engineers-Sacramento District
1325 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Explanation: This project, located along the Colorado River, consists of various management measures to restore aquatic and hydrologic functions and conditions and related riparian and seasonal wetland habitats. Tamarisk is known to suck dry creek beds, rivers, and all other water sources which are already limited in Colorado.

Fountain Creek Colorado
$100,000
Army Corps of Engineers- Albuquerque
4101 Jefferson Plz NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
Explanation: The study area is located in the Fountain Creek basin in Central Colorado. The reconnaissance study will determine if there is federal interest to conduct a feasibility study for flood damage reduction, ecosystem restoration, sediment control, and other allied purposes in the Fountain Creek basin.

Fryingpan-Arkansas Project
$500,000
Colorado State Parks
1313 Sherman St. Room 618
Denver, CO 80203
Explanation: This project will provide much needed funding to Lake Pueblo rehabilitation projects that have needed to be completed for many years. Rehab and make ADA compliant three camper services buildings showers, flush rest room facilities, laundry facilities. Rehab and make ADA compliant 20 vault restroom facilities throughout the park.
San Juan Biorefinery
$1,000,000
Dolores County Government
409 North Main Street
Dove Creek, CO 81324
Explanation: This project will provide a cleaner, more efficient energy while providing a delivery point for local farmers as well. This project is key to the economy of the local county, as well as to our nations goal of a cleaner and energy independent country.

Scheduling Reservoir Operations, CO
$155,000
Army Corps of Engineers- Albuquerque
4101 Jefferson Plz NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
Explanation: This project is key to flood prevention in the San Luis Valley and the Arkansas Basin of Southern Colorado. The Corps will provide flood control regulations to prevent such events.

San Luis Valley Project
$2,500,000
Conejos Water Conservancy District
318 Main Street
Manassa, CO 81141
Explanation: This funding for the Platoro Reservoir will be used to acquire a log stop gate and inspect the discharge tube from the trash rack down to the guard gate. Lack of inspection, for 57 years, is a damn safety concern for the San Luis Valley. Funds will also be used to install a bypass system to carry the flows mandated.

Montrose Renewable Energy Development
$1,000,000
City of Montrose
433 1st Street
Montrose, CO 81402
Explanation: The City of Montrose is engaged in projects that lower energy costs while reducing energy use and emissions. Funds for this project would be used to install photovoltaic arrays on the roof of City Hall, the City Hall Annex, and at the wastewater treatment plant's office building. The energy produced will service systems, computers, and the buildings themselves. Additionally, the City will convert heating and cooling systems at City Hall and the adjacent Annex Building to geothermal systems; reducing energy costs in the first year by 45%. The total impact of the project's energy savings will be equivalent to a reduction of over 100 tons of CO2 annually.

Arkansas Valley Conduit
$3,000,000
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District
31717 United Avenue
Pueblo, CO 81001
Explanation: This project will provide drinking and agriculture water to over 40 cities and 50,000 people in the Lower Arkansas basin

Integrated Biomass Research Facility
$13,500,000
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
1617 Cole Blvd
Golden, CO 80401
Explanation: This project will help reduce gasoline usage and carbon emissions. The research conducted at NREL is top notch and everyone will benefit from reduced prices at the pump and less carbon emissions.

Fort Garland Geothermal Energy System
$760,000
Colorado Historical Society
1300 Broadway
Denver, CO 80203
Explanation: The Fort Garland Museum is located in a rural area without access to municipal gas lines. Currently, three different heating systems are used at Fort Garland: electric, propane, and diesel where costs for all three sources are at the whim of fluctuating market prices, and the nature of these markets poses a serious problem to an already limited budget. Additionally, fuel-based systems pollute outside air, while forced-air heating systems are ill-suited for museum specific collections preservation standards

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