WASHINGTON -- The House of Representatives is considering legislation today to provide funding for a wide variety of energy and water projects around the country, primarily through the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation in the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Energy.

On behalf of Contra Costa County, Miller and his colleagues who also represent the county requested specific funding for several projects that have been included in the bill. Details on those requests follow below. The bill passed the House 312 - 112 and must now be considered by the Senate and win support from President Bush before these projects can be funded. All funding listed below would be directed to the Army Corps of Engineers.

Mount Diablo Mercury Mine Clean-up, Contra Costa County, CA -- $525,000 – The Mount Diablo Mercury Mine is a large abandoned mercury mine located on private property on the northeast slope of Mount Diablo that drains into the Marsh Creek watershed in eastern Contra Costa County. This project was requested by Contra Costa County.
Supported by Reps. George Miller, Ellen Tauscher and Jerry McNerney.

Walnut Creek Basin (Grayson & Murderer’s Creeks) – $200,000 – This request responds to public concern for flooding in a neighborhood that was recently added to the 100-year floodplain maps by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This project was requested by Contra Costa County.
Supported by Reps. George Miller and Ellen Tauscher.

Lower Walnut Creek– $600,000 – This project is a reevaluation study of a channel constructed in the 1960's by the Corps of Engineers that responds to new endangered species listing and regulatory requirements that restrict traditional channel operation and maintenance. The Lower Walnut Creek Project will provide the necessary capacity to handle floodwaters while reducing de-silting costs and creating additional wetlands, riparian habitat, and revegetation potential. This project was requested by Contra Costa County.
Supported by Reps. George Miller and Ellen Tauscher.

Napa River Salt Marsh Restoration Project – $1.2 million – The restoration project will provide: extensive wetland habitat in SF Bay; beneficial use for recycled water in the North Bay; improved open space; and will resolve urgent issues regarding the site’s levee, water control structures, and water quality. This project was requested by the California Coastal Conservancy, a state agency that uses entrepreneurial techniques to purchase, protect, restore, and enhance coastal resources, and to provide access to the shore.
Supported by Reps. George Miller and Mike Thompson.

Pinole Shoal / Delta Long Term Management Strategy – $500,000 – The Delta Long Term Management Strategy is a Corps of Engineers effort to coordinate, plan, and implement beneficial reuse of sediments in the Delta. This study will consider reusing dredged materials as one potential source of sediment for levees. This project was requested by Contra Costa County.
Supported by Reps. George Miller and Ellen Tauscher.

San Pablo Bay and Mare Island Strait: Pinole Shoal Channel Maintenance Dredging – $2.65 million – Routine maintenance dredging of Pinole Shoal Channel to its authorized depth is essential to the continued safe transport of crude oil and bulk cargo transported through the Delta as far east as Stockton. This project was requested by Contra Costa County.
Supported by Reps. George Miller and Ellen Tauscher.

Suisun Bay Channel: New York Slough – $3.343 million – Annual maintenance dredging of the Suisun Bay Channel section is substantial, due to environmental considerations and requirements for dredged material to be placed in upland environments. This project was requested by Contra Costa County.
Supported by Reps. George Miller and Ellen Tauscher.

In addition, on behalf of the city of Pittsburg, Miller requested funding for a local water recycling program. Miller was informed that funds would not be included for this innovative program until the project receives additional authorization by Congress. Miller is sponsoring separate legislation to authorize the Pittsburg water recycling program and similar programs in other Bay Area communities. That bill, numbered H.R. 1526, is expected to be approved by the House later this month.

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