[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E331-E334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          EARMARK DECLARATION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2009

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to the House Republican standards 
on earmarks, I am submitting the following information for publication 
in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of 
H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009.
  Project Name: Mobile Harbor Turning Basin.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: Army Corps of Engineers, Construction General Account.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Alabama State Port Authority.
  Address of Requesting Entity: 250 North Water Street, Suite 300, 
Mobile, AL 36602.
  Description of Request: Provide $4.785 million to construct the 
Mobile Harbor Turning Basin project as authorized by the Water 
Resources Development Act of 1986 (PL99-662 Ninety-ninth Congress, 
Second Session) under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers--Construction 
General Account. Initial project request anticipated expenditures of 
.04 percent will be used for land; .11 percent will be used for 
navigation aids; .11 percent for removal of existing concrete debris; 
3.97 percent for mobilization, preparation and demobilization of a 26 
CY Bucket Dredge; 4.20 percent for mobilization, preparation and 
demobilization of a 30 inch Pipeline Dredge; 67 percent for the removal 
of and placement in designated dredge disposal areas approx. 2,699,232 
cubic yards of dredged material; 5.32 percent for planning, engineering 
and design work; 2.42 percent for construction management; 12.57 
percent in project construction contingency; and 3.83 percent in 
project escalation. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted an 
Environmental Assessment in accordance with Engineer Regulation (ER) 
200-2-2, Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations 
for Implementing Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Pts. 1500-1508) 
resulting in a FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (FONSI). Construction 
of the authorized turning basin has been evaluated by the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers through the Corps General Reevaluation Report (GRR) 
to alleviate harbor delays and improve safety conditions, and reflects 
a benefit-to-cost ratio of 3.46 to 1. This project is permitted. This 
request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers General Construction account. The Alabama State 
Port Authority, the 10th largest port in the U.S., is the federally 
designated local sponsor for the Port of Mobile Harbor and will provide 
the 25 percent cost share for the Mobile Harbor Turning Basin project. 
The Alabama State Port Authority's 25 percent cost share funding is 
secured. Turning basin will help serve a new container terminal, coal 
terminal and two raw material terminals.
  Project Name: Mobile Harbor.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Maintenance.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Alabama State Port Authority.
  Address of Requesting Entity: 250 North Water Street, Suite 300, 
Mobile, Alabama 36602.
  Description of Request: Provide $20.014 million for normal Operations 
and Maintenance of the Mobile Harbor Project, Mobile Alabama. Mobile 
Harbor is the nation's 10th largest port and is critical to the 
movement of a variety of products necessary for the nation's economy. 
Mobile Harbor handles 59 million tons of cargo annually and serves a 
wide range of Alabama and southeastern industries. Approximately 
$20.014 million of these funds will be used for maintenance dredging of 
the bay and river channels, as well as for condition surveys, dredging 
surveys, disposal area maintenance and ESA/WQC coordination. This 
request is consistent with the intended and authorized purpose of the 
Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Maintenance account.
  Project Name: Coosa-Alabama River Lakes.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: Army Corps of Engineers, Operations & Maintenance.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile 
District.

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  Address of Requesting Entity: USACE Mobile District, 109 St. Joseph 
Street, Mobile, Alabama 36602.
  Description of Request: Provide $17 million for normal operations and 
maintenance of the Alabama River navigation channel as authorized by 
the River and Harbor Act of 1947. Initial project request anticipated 
expenditure of 4 percent will be used for environmental stewardship; 45 
percent will be used for hydropower maintenance; 29 percent will be 
used for navigation; 19 percent will be used for continued maintenance 
on public access sites; and 3 percent will be used for other project 
expenses.
  Project: Scanning Hydrographic Operational Airborne LiDAR Survey 
Systems.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Maintenance.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile 
District.
  Address of Requesting Entity: USACE Mobile District, 109 St. Joseph 
Street, Mobile, AL 36602.
  Description of Request: Provide $13.9 million to acquire data 
collection in the Gulf of Mexico under the National Coastal Mapping 
Program and facilitate the deployment of LiDAR technology under the 
Coastal Zone Mapping Imaging LiDAR (CZMIL) program. Approximately, 50 
percent will provide funds to perform routine coastal mapping 
activities and for completion of CZMIL detailed design to include 
construction and assembly of sensor sub-systems; 14 percent will be 
utilized to accelerate CZMIL development into fabrication phase, 14 
percent will allow for the completion of coastal mapping activities on 
the west coast in southern CA; 7 percent will be used for exhaustive 
CZMIL component tests to reduce risk in the fabrication phase; 13 
percent will initiate surveys on the Gulf coast in the state of Texas. 
LiDAR Survey System will provide coastal mapping and charting along the 
coast to reflect changes due to recent hurricanes and to serve as a 
part of a master program for U.S. emergency preparedness and response.
  Project Name: Auburn University Bioenergy and Bioproducts Laboratory
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: Department of Energy, EERE--Biomass Biorefinery Systems R&D.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Auburn University.
  Address of Requesting Entity: 202 Samford Hall, Auburn, AL 36849.
  Description of Request: Provide $951,500 to fund the continued 
development of a comprehensive, interdisciplinary bioenergy and 
bioproducts laboratory at Auburn University. The funds will be expended 
for research on systems to produce alternatives to petroleum based 
fuels--i.e., biofuels and other bioproducts. Outcomes of this research 
will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, reduce the production of 
greenhouse gases, and will revitalize our local economies. The initial 
project request anticipated expenditures of approximately 50 percent 
will be used for laboratory equipment; 10 percent will be used for 
laboratory supplies; 37 percent will be used for laboratory personnel; 
2 percent will be used for travel to collect data and present research 
results. Matching non-federal funds will come from Auburn University. 
No funds will come from nongovernmental source and no funds will be 
disbursed to other private/public entities.
  Project Name: U.S. HWY 43 Main, Jackson, Alabama.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: Environmental Protection Agency, State & Tribal Grants.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Jackson, Alabama.
  Address of Requesting Entity: 400 Commerce Street, Alabama 36545.
  Description of Request: Provide $500,000 to establish Phase I of an 
expansion of the water system between Jackson, AL and Grove Hill, AL. 
The total cost of Phase 1 is projected to be $4,981,800.00, which 
includes approximately, $3,492,000.00 to provide lengths of 24-inch 
water main; $65,000.00 for ten 24-inch gate valves, boxes, and markers; 
$300,000 for 800 road bores, setup, casings, and carrier pipe; $25,000 
for five fire hydrant assemblies; and $450,000 for a water booster 
station upgrade. An additional $649,800 is estimated for engineering 
and design costs associated with phase I. The expansion is needed to 
provide clean drinking water and infrastructure support for existing 
jobs and to attract new jobs in Jackson and regionally. This request is 
consistent with the authorized purpose of the EPA's STAG account. The 
City of Jackson will provide or cause to be provided a minimum of a 45-
percent matching cost share.
  Project Name: Historic Blakeley Park Spanish Fort.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: National Park Service, Save America's Treasures.
  Legal Name of Requesting Agency: Historic Blakeley Authority.
  Address of Requesting Entity: 34745 State Highway 225, Spanish Fort, 
Alabama 36577.
  Description of Request: Provide $50,000 to establish infrastructure 
such as water, power and sewer to public areas of Blakeley State Park. 
Approximately 60 percent will be used for materials and supplies; 30 
percent will be used for labor and equipment; 10 percent will be used 
for professional service and fees. Blakeley Park, which commemorates 
the site of the last battle of the Civil War, is a National Historic 
Register site and also serves as a training area for the Alabama 
National Guard. Funding will be matched by Blakeley Park and will 
prevent further damage to the park and allow the extension of water and 
power lines to areas currently without utilities.
  Project Name: University of South Alabama, Mitchell Cancer Institute, 
Emerging Technologies Radiotherapy and the Disaster Medical Training 
Center.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: Department of Health & Human Services, HRSA, Health 
Facilities and Services.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: The University of South Alabama.
  Address of Requesting Entity: 307 University Boulevard, AD 131, 
Mobile, AL 36688.
  Description of Request: Provide $951,000 for facilities and equipment 
at the University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute (MCI) and 
the Disaster Medical Training Center (DMTC). The initial project 
request anticipated expenditures of approximately 50 percent will be 
used to fund 7,500-foot expansion of the MCI, including the purchase of 
two high-energy radiation vaults and MRI/Gamma irridation 
``Renaissance'' technology, for which the university has also committed 
funds. The second 50 percent will be used for equipment and 
infrastructure development of the DMTC. Approximately 12 percent of 
these funds will be used for a high performance server with 
workstations; 36 percent will be used for two METI i-STAN human patient 
simulators, 9 percent will be used for five high resolution projectors, 
projection screens, and laptops; 2 percent will be used for cameras and 
sound equipment for videoconferencing; 19 percent will be used for 
software licenses needed to run simulations and visualizations; 20 
percent will be used to renovate existing space. The DMTC equips 
hospitals, first responders, and public safety officials with the 
necessary real-time information and integrated systems to prepare for 
and manage patients and communities' critical health and safety needs 
in the event of a disaster.
  Project Name: University of Alabama, West Alabama Autism Outreach.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA, Health 
Facilities and Services.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: The University of Alabama.
  Address of Requesting Entity: 201 Rose Administration Building, 
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0117.
  Description of Request: Provide $666,000 to establish a regional 
autism center that provides clinical services, professional education, 
and research at the University of Alabama. The initial project request 
anticipated expenditures of approximately 63 percent will be used to 
establish a central university-based autism clinic that will provide 
interdisciplinary diagnostic and treatment services to individuals with 
autism; 25 percent will be used to establish a satellite clinic in the 
rural, impoverished Black Belt region of Alabama; 12 percent will be 
used to create a coordinated clinical and research database. This 
request would be combined with $95,000 in matching funds from the 
Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities. Autism spectrum 
disorders affect 1 in every 150 individuals including approximately 
300,000 in Alabama. A regional center that provides diagnostics 
services, intervention services, and professional education in both 
urban and rural areas answers a critical public health need in the west 
Alabama community and should greatly improve the quality of life of 
individuals with autism and their families.
  Project Name: Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, Employment 
and Education Training.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration 
(ETA), Training and Employment Services (TES).
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind 
(AIDB).
  Address of Requesting Entity: 1050 Government Street, Mobile, Alabama 
36604.

[[Page E333]]

  Description of Request: Provide $190,000 to develop and implement a 
collaborative employer training and job development program for 
significantly disabled citizens with hearing and vision loss in 
southwest Alabama. The initial project request anticipated expenditures 
of approximately 77 percent will be used for job coach development; 17 
percent will be used for assistive technology; and 5 percent will be 
used for employer training. High unemployment and low income statistics 
for deaf and blind adults are critical national issues while 70 percent 
of blind individuals are unemployed and more than a third of deaf 
adults earn 60 percent less than their hearing peers. This program will 
focus on job development through assistive technology and employer 
training in working with disabled employees, part of a statewide 
education effort to be matched 33 percent by AIDB.
  Project Name: Gulf Coast Flood Elevation Study, Baldwin County.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: Dept. of Commerce, NOAA--Program Support, Operations, 
Research and Facilities.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Baldwin County Commission.
  Address of Requesting Entity: 312 Courthouse Square, Suite 12, Bay 
Minette, Alabama 36507.
  Description of Request: Provide $1,000,000 to complete a Gulf Coast 
flood elevation study in Baldwin County, Alabama. Approximately, 60 
percent is for hydrological assessment and engineering; 20 percent for 
flood management plan development; 5 percent for flood mapping; 7.5 
percent for potable water study; and 7.5 percent for waste water study. 
Focus of study is to update and expand current FEMA flood maps, which 
were not adequately updated post-Hurricane Katrina, for this Gulf-front 
county in order to ensure proper rebuilding and new construction in 
this region.
  Project Name: Gulf Coast Flood Elevation Study, Mobile County.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: Dept. of Commerce, NOAA-Program Support, Operations, 
Research Facilities.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Mobile County Commission.
  Address of Requesting Entity: 205 Government Street, Mobile, Alabama 
36644.
  Description of Request: Provide $1,000,000 to complete a Gulf Coast 
Flood Elevation Study in Mobile County, Alabama. Approximately, 45 
percent is for flood elevation modeling; 20 percent for engineering and 
surveying; 20 percent for mapping; and 15 percent for administration, 
management, and quality assurance and control. This request is intended 
to aid in meeting the need for revised flood mapping in the coastal 
areas of Mobile County. Focus of study is to update and expand current 
FEMA flood maps, which were not adequately updated post-Hurricane 
Katrina, for this Gulf-front county in order to ensure proper 
rebuilding and new construction in this region.
  Project Name: Zerometh Methamphetamine (METH) Campaign.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: Dept. of Justice, COPS Law Enforcement Technology.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Alabama District Attorneys 
Association.
  Address of Requesting Entity: 515 South Perry Street, Montgomery, 
Alabama 36104.
  Description of Request: Provide $500,000 to fund marketing, 
production and media placement for the Alabama statewide ZEROMETH 
Public Awareness Campaign--an awareness effort aimed at teens to 
discourage METH use. Approximately, 50 percent will be used to create, 
film, photograph, edit and purchase three TV commercials, outdoor, 
radio and print ads and support staff; 30 percent will be used for 
media flights/buys in designated market areas of Alabama; 10 percent 
will be used for creation and production of ZEROMETH brochure, training 
DVD and distribution material, 5 percent will be used for monitoring, 
maintenance and update of ZEROMETH website; and 5 percent will be used 
for high school presentation materials, displays and interactive 
educational vehicles. Campaign will allow statewide deployment of the 
only meth awareness public health campaign in Alabama targeting teens 
and young adults in a state that is home to the most meth incidents 
among Gulf Coast states and that has seen an increase in local Mexican 
drug trafficking organizations (DTO) trafficking of a more pure form of 
meth known as ``ice.'' This request will be supported in matching funds 
and contributions.
  Project Name: Team Focus Youth Mentoring Program.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: Department of Justice, Juvenile Justice Programs.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Team Focus, Inc.
  Address of Requesting Entity: 1105 Hillcrest Road, Suite A, Mobile, 
AL 36695.
  Description of Request: Provide $500,000 for ``Team Focus, Inc.,'' a 
501(c)3 non-profit organization, to provide fatherless young men in 
southwest Alabama with leadership skills, guidance, spiritual and moral 
values, and a continuing relationship with a carefully selected adult 
mentor. In addition, Team Focus will host a model leadership camp 
training program uniquely designed to: provide guidance and support to 
young men who do not have a father in their home; encourage young men 
in academics, athletics, social skills, and moral and spiritual values; 
develop leadership skills and teamwork; motivate boys to strive for 
higher positive goals and achieve victories; create a safe environment 
for young men to grow in society; and build support through work with 
families, teachers, counselors, and positive role models. This federal 
earmark will be combined with matching private contributions.
  Project Name: Law Enforcement Technology, Gulf Shores, Alabama.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: Department of Justice, COPS Law Enforcement Technology.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Gulf Shores, Alabama.
  Address of Requesting Entity: 1905 West 1st Street, Gulf Shores, 
Alabama 36547.
  Description of Request: Provide $350,000 to provide wireless 
communications to police vehicles and provide security cameras to pubic 
beach and park areas. Initial project request anticipated expenditures 
of 45 percent will be used for mobile units; 15 percent will be used 
for hand held units; 12 percent will be used for base units; 15 percent 
will be used for repeaters; 11 percent will be used for installation 
costs; and 2 percent will be used for permit/FCC licenses. Current 
communications equipment has serious coverage problems which poses a 
threat to officer safety and is not P-25 compliant, as required by the 
FCC by year 2013. Funding will also aid police in monitoring drug 
trafficking in this high traffic area. Gulf Shores, a city of 7,000, 
swells to well over 25,000 on weekdays and 75,000 to 100,000 on 
weekends, in the spring and summer months. The City of Gulf Shores will 
provide matching funds.
  Project Name: Perdido Pass Inlet Study, Orange Beach, Alabama.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: Department of Commerce, NOAA--Program Support Operations, 
Research and Facilities.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Orange Beach.
  Address of Requesting Entity: P.O. Box 458, Orange Beach, Alabama.
  Description of Request: Provide $250,000 to fund a study to be used 
in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to 
implement recommended improvements to sand disposal around the 
navigation channel at Perdido Pass, located in Orange Beach, Alabama. 
The initial request anticipated expenditures of approximately 66 
percent for economic and environmental analysis engineering, surveying, 
and modeling; 23 percent for environmental modeling and analysis; 10 
percent for component integration. The City of Orange Beach itself has 
invested tens of millions of dollars to renourish and protect its Gulf-
front and interior shorelines, which are often altered by hurricanes. 
The channel is used by local industry as well as for recreation. The 
study will develop and evaluate sand disposal practices in order to 
conserve and reuse sand that collects within the inlet for future 
renourishment. Proper sand management will also provide a source of 
fill material for environmental habitat protection.

  Project Name: Runway 18/36 and Taxiway Rehabilitation, Mobile, 
Alabama.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: THUD, FAA, Airport Improvement Program.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Mobile Airport Authority.
  Address of Requesting Entity: 8400 Airport Blvd., Mobile, Alabama 
36608.
  Description of Request: Provide $1,900,000 through the Airport 
Improvement Program, implemented by the FAA, to rehabilitate and 
strengthen Runway (RW) 18/36 and its parallel Taxiway ``R'' (TW-R) at 
Mobile Regional Airport (MOB). Initial project request anticipated 
expenditures of 7 percent will be used for milling; 67 percent for 
asphalt; 2 percent for markings; 1 percent for grooving; 9 percent for 
shoulder redressing; 17 percent for engineering. The Mobile Airport 
Authority's required cost share is secured. RW 18/36 and TW-R have 
begun unraveling, creating a safety hazard for aircraft traffic. 
Strengthening of

[[Page E334]]

the surfaces is necessary to support the type of aircraft that will be 
taxiing across RW18/36 and on TW-R to access the aircraft maintenance 
and assembly complex located off TW-R. This project will be completed 
by adhering to all FAA standards for airport construction and 
development, and the Mobile Airport Authority will provide matching 
funds as needed.
  Project Name: Atmore, Alabama Municipal Airport.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: THUD, FAA, Airport Improvement Program.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Atmore.
  Address of Requesting Entity: 201 East Louisville Avenue, Atmore, 
Alabama 36502.
  Description of Request: Provide $1,140,000 to upgrade and improve the 
Atmore Municipal Airport in Atmore, Alabama. Funding is to be used to 
provide renovations from hurricane-related losses during Hurricane Ivan 
in 2004; to improve airport safety zones; and to construct an 
additional access road to the airport which will provide direct access 
to the highway and open an additional 43 acres for industrial 
development. The City of Atmore has spent considerable amounts of its 
own resources to improve and diversify its local economy, and 
improvements to the airport will assist the City and region to attract 
industry to Atmore. This project is consistent with the intended and 
authorized purpose of the Transportation-Airports account.
  Project Name: US HWY 43 Lighting, Thomasville, Alabama.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Jo Bonner.
  Bill Number: H.R. 1105.
  Account: Federal HWY Administration, Transportation and Community and 
System Preservation.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Thomasville.
  Address of Requesting Entity: 137 Adams Avenue, Thomasville, Alabama 
36784.
  Description of Request: Provide $380,000 to provide lighting for U.S. 
Highway 43 in Thomasville, Clarke County, AL from mile marker 90 to 
mile marker 87. This commercial corridor in southwest Alabama is one of 
the most rapidly developing commercial and industrial areas between 
Mobile and Tuscaloosa, AL. Adequate lighting is needed to illuminate 
this area for safety and to encourage additional development. This area 
includes entrances to two industrial parks, a proposed medical center, 
Alabama Southern Community College, and the main thoroughfare to all of 
the City's schools and related facilities.

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