|
Great Lakes
Article:
House bill includes funds for
Finger Lakes
By Howie Mansfield
Finger Lakes Times
12/06/03
Rep. James Walsh, R-25 of Syracuse, and Rep. Sherwood
Boehlert, R-24 of New Hartford, are seeking money for
the Finger Lakes region in a spending bill expected to
pass the House of Representatives Monday.
The Fiscal Year 2004 Omnibus Appropriations bill is also
expected to pass a Senate vote in January.
Boehlert hopes to secure $2.7 million for the Grape Genetics
Research Center and Laboratory at Cornell University’s
Agriculture & Food Technology Park in Geneva. The
funding would help secure USDA scientists to work with
Cornell scientists to establish and coordinate a national,
concentrated grape research program.
A portion of the funds would be used to design and prepare
a building to house the grape research center.
Walsh said the appropriations bill reflects his work
to bring money to much needed areas of Wayne County. The
appropriations bill includes more than $200,000 for projects
at Newark-Wayne Community Hospital in Newark and $100,000
to Wayne County for a feasibility study at the former
Newark Developmental Center in Newark.
Other projects earmarked by Walsh in the House spending
plan include $80,000 to Wayne County for relocation and
renovation improvements to the Leavenworth-Northrup Carriage
House in Wolcott; $300,000 for demolition and new facilities
construction and improvements at Sodus Point Park in Sodus;
$500,000 to construct a new livestock building at the
Wayne County Fairgrounds in Palmyra; $250,000 for the
development of a Sodus Bay comprehensive watershed management
plan; $600,000 to the Water and Sewer Authority for construction
of a waterline in the towns of Sodus and Huron; and $230,000
to the Water and Sewer Authority for sanitary sewer overflow
improvements for the town of Palmyra. The Center for Environmental
Information in Rochester also would receive $250,000 for
a Lake Ontario coastline remediation and restoration initiative.
Boehlert said he’s pleased $6.25 million was set aside
for his district.
"The tremendous opportunity I’ve been given to serve
this district for the last 21 years, also provides New
York state the seniority in Washington needed to bring
this funding home," Boehlert said. "I’m pleased
to be able to bring funding for much needed projects and
economic development back to the area. I particularly
wish to commend Rep. James Walsh, my friend and colleague,
for his efforts and partnership in these important economic
development activities. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, deserves
credit for his help with the Cornell and Tompkins County
projects."
Boehlert also is seeking $750,000 for the Cayuga Lake
Watershed to provide critical support for technical assistance
and implementation of agriculture and non-agriculture
best management practices, in addition to community outreach
and education and $2 million to Cayuga Community College
Institute for the Application of Geospatial Technology
for the creation of cutting-edge three- and four-dimensional,
interactive digital images of contamination on military
bases nationwide, including sites such as Seneca Army
Depot.
|
