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For Immediate Release
December 19, 2007 |
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Shays Announces over
$7 million in Funding for Stamford
These appropriations are
part of over $27 million in federal support provided to the
Fourth Congressional District in the Omnibus Package
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Christopher Shays announced
today that Stamford will receive $7,285,823 as part of H.R.
2764, the Fiscal Year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
Shays voted for H.R. 2764, which includes over $27 million
in funding for the Fourth Congressional District, when it
passed the House by a vote of 253 to 154 on December 17.
"I am grateful for funding of key transportation, economic
and social programs in Stamford and our region," Shays
said. "With this help, we will be able to continue improving
transportation, developing our regional economy and providing
critical support for those in our community who need help
most."
“This is a great day for Stamford,” stated Stamford
Mayor Dan Malloy. “Representative Shays and the delegation
deserve the thanks of the city. We saw great progress on many
of our highest priorities, including full funding for the
Mill River project, transportation improvements, stormwater
improvements, the hurricane barrier, energy and law enforcement.
We are looking forward to moving on these important projects.”
Specific projects details are listed below:
City of Stamford COPS Technology - $94,000
Because of its close proximity to New York City, Stamford
is a critical regional center of commerce and transportation
that must be prepared to prevent and respond to the threat
of emergencies. Stamford has already established a solid emergency
response system, but a professional analysis of Stamford's
emergency response communication system showed that the system
is extremely vulnerable to complete failure at this time.
Stamford Waste-to-Energy - $1.476 million
The City of Stamford and its Water Pollution Control Authority
are currently undertaking a major upgrade to the Stamford
Wastewater Treatment Plant. Stamford seeks to establish a
low-emissions waste-to-energy electric generation facility
that will turn dry, pelletized sewage sludge into up to 10
megawatts of electric power in a region facing major electricity
shortages and electric grid congestion. This first-ever application
of a proven technology will produce major benefits for the
community and region, and could be replicated at municipal
facilities across America.
Stamford Hurricane Barrier - $600,000
Stamford will receive funding to rebuild the hurricane barrier
to separate and protect the harbor from the Long Island Sound.
Stamford Mill River - $4.020 million
Funding will be used to take down the dam and restore natural
water flow to the Mill River.
City of Stamford Stormwater Infrastructure - $492,200
Funding for the Stamford storm water treatment project will
be in the form of an Environmental Protection Agency "State
and Tribal Assistance Grant" (STAG). Stamford has already
completed a number of initiatives to improve the Mill River
ecosystem, which has been degraded by years of polluted urban
run off. Projects include the construction of streamside natural
buffers and biofilter strips, riparian land conservation,
constructed wetlands and other approaches to combating non-point
water pollution.
This storm water infrastructure project will complement other
Mill River initiatives underway, including open space preservation
through the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration,
and an ongoing Corps of Engineers aquatic ecosystem restoration
project.
Stamford Hospital - $358,623
Stamford Hospital is planning on expand primary and outpatient
care in the communities surrounding the hospital, and a main
component of that is to expand its emergency department. The
expansion is a $40 million project. The Emergency Department
is overwhelmed because it is highly utilized and severely
undersized.
Atlantic Rail Underpass Redesign - $245,000
The City of Stamford in is entering a four-phase project
to widen and increase the vertical clearance of four constrained
railroad underpasses, and make associated roadway improvements
in order to allow full utilization of the Stamford Rail Transportation
Center and reduce traffic congestion on I-95.
The four underpasses - the Atlantic Street Railroad Underpass,
the Route 1 Underpass and Road Realignment, the Elm Street
Railroad Underpass and the Canal Street Railroad Underpass
- are too narrow, too low and severely constricted, operating
at an undesirable level of service and causing major traffic
disruption in the urban area and around the Stamford Transportation
Center.
Stamford Total: $7,285,822
The legislation also includes the following district wide
projects:
Long Island Sound DMMP - $3.525 million
Funding for this project will assist in the Corps of Engineers
in finding environmentally friendly ways to manage extracted
dredged materials from Long Island Sound. These alternatives
include, but are not limited to, reducing sediment sources,
reducing contaminant loading and developing feasible beneficial
reuses for dredged material, with the goal of reducing or
eliminating the need for open water disposal.
One Coast, One Future - $250,000
One Coast, One Future is a consortium formed by the Bridgeport
Regional Business Council and The Business Council of Fairfield
County. The initiative seeks to spark new and renewed economic
growth, job creation and individual economic opportunity by
linking the Coastal Fairfield County region’s business
centers. One Coast, One Future has been funded through nearly
$1 million in federal funds secured by Congressman Shays.
One Coast, One Future’s long-term plan consists of
eight key objectives including a Comprehensive Economic Development
plan; development of a marketing campaign focused on development
and housing opportunities; development of a marketing campaign
focused on cultural and entertainment opportunities; creating
a growth strategy for jobs in healthcare; linking employer
needs with available employee skills through a JobsNet; maintaining
the competitive educational position of coastal Fairfield
County through a higher education initiative; expanding opportunities
for minority and women-owned business development groups through
a New Partners project; and creating a WI-FI network in city
centers.
Long Island Sound - Increase President's Budget $4.922
million
Long Island Sound is one of the estuaries included in the
National Estuary Program (NEP) within the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). NEP is designed to promote comprehensive planning
for long-term protection of estuaries through collaborative
voluntary efforts of federal, state, local, non-profit, and
private interests. Approximately 10 percent of the American
population lives within the Long Island Sound watershed. It
is one of the most populated, visited and traveled areas of
the country, and contributes over $5 billion annually to the
regional economy.
In 2000, the Long Island Sound Restoration Act authorized
the federal government to spend $40 million annually to clean
up the Sound. It focused on providing aid to distressed communities
that would otherwise not be able to cleanup their shores.
Over the past six years, these funds, along with funds provided
by the states of New York and Connecticut, have helped local
communities repair their sewage treatment plants and decrease
nitrogen levels in the Sound.
The Long Island Stewardship Act gives those most familiar
with the Sound's precious and diverse resources the tools
necessary to continue their conservation efforts, and applies
the most effective methods available to identify, protect,
and enhance sites with ecological, educational, and recreation
value in Connecticut and New York.
The legislation implements cutting-edge conservation techniques
that will allow local environmental groups to identify sites
for preservation and create an adaptable management plan that
will ensure the sites with the greatest value are protected.
Long Island Sound is a source of livelihood, nourishment
and recreation for many in Connecticut and elsewhere. Long
Island Sound is our Yellowstone. It is critical that we treat
it well, and make every effort to protect and preserve areas
along the Sound's shorelines with significant ecological,
recreational or educational value.
Contact: Dave Natonski , 202/225-5541
Contact:
Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
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