[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 34 (Thursday, February 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E467-E472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          EARMARK DECLARATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2009

  Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Speaker, in accordance with House earmark reforms, 
I would like to place in the Record a listing of the congressionally-
directed projects I have requested in my home state of Idaho that are 
contained in the report of HR 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 
2009.
  I'd like to take just a few minutes to describe why I support these 
projects and why they are valuable to the nation and its taxpayers.


                        division a--agriculture

  The report contains $254,000 in ARS Salaries and Expenses for NW 
Center for Small Fruits in Corvallis, Oregon. The Small Fruits 
Initiative-Plant Improvement project will build upon the strengths of 
existing cooperative research programs aligned through the Northwest 
Center for Small Fruits Research. This ongoing tri-state program 
supports the development of small fruits as an alternative agriculture 
crop in the Pacific Northwest. The funding will strengthen existing 
programs throughout the region and add key programs to fill in critical 
gaps that are not met by the existing infrastructure associated with 
the Center, providing key resources for Idaho scientists to address 
problems that negatively impact the emerging berry, grape, and wine 
industries in the Northwest. This request is consistent with the 
intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the University of 
Idaho, located at 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, Idaho 83844 through the 
USDA's ARS located at 29603 U of I Lane, Parma, Idaho, 83660.
  The report contains $650,000 in Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service, salaries and expenses, for Greater Yellowstone Interagency 
Brucellosis Committee. Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming are each required by 
law to manage brucellosis-infected wildlife within their borders in 
order to prevent the spread of brucellosis to non-infected wildlife, 
cattle, or domestic bison. The Committee is coordinating with federal, 
state, and private actions in eliminating brucellosis from wildlife in 
the Greater Yellowstone Area and preventing transmission of this 
disease from wildlife to livestock. The funding will be used to develop 
and implement brucellosis herd unit management plans; to perform 
functions and duties of Idaho relative to the Greater Yellowstone 
Interagency Brucellosis Committee; to conduct brucellosis prevention, 
surveillance, control and eradication activities in Idaho and the 
Greater Yellowstone Area. This request is consistent with the intended 
purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the Idaho State 
Department of Agriculture, located at 2270 Old Penitentiary Road, 
Boise, Idaho 83712.
  The report contains $176,000 in Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service, salaries and expenses, for the Nez Perce Bio-Control Center. 
The Nez Perce Bio-Control Center is authorized by the Noxious Weed 
Control and Eradication Act of 2004 and manages and establishes 
nurseries to increase biological control organism availability, 
distribute biological control organisms, monitor their impacts, and 
provide an increased number of annual technology transfer workshops to 
Cooperative Weed Management Areas and other landowners and managers 
regionally. This funding will continue the partnership between USDA and 
the Nez Perce Tribe to maximize the effectiveness of implementing a 
complete bio-control of weeds program in an Integrated Weed Management 
strategy. The Center will increase the availability of agents for 
landowners and managers throughout the region. Biological control 
offers long-term management of invasive weeds and can be used with 
other integrated pest management approaches. This request is consistent 
with the intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the Nez Perce Tribe 
Bio-Control Center, located at 102 Agency Road, Lapwai, Idaho 83540.
  The report contains $514,000 in CSREES, research and education, for 
the Barley for Rural Development Project. Funding for this program will 
support research directed at the continued development of improved 
malt, feed, cellulosic ethanol and food barley varieties for growers 
and value added end-users in rural Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota 
communities. This research is starting to expand and meet market 
opportunities, addressing the critical need of growers in production 
agriculture to increase economic yield, enhance domestic and 
international market access, improve production technologies, better 
compete with Canadian imports and reduce dependence on government 
subsidies. Research supported by this project will increase the 
manufacture and sale of value-added barley products (malt, beer, fuel, 
food, livestock) in these states, having a substantial positive impact 
on their economies, supporting jobs, generating business activity, and 
federal, state, and local tax revenue. Maintenance of the strength of 
barley in the Idaho economy requires continual efforts to improve crop 
quality and productivity. This can only be accomplished by investing in 
strong research programs that keep the industry at the forefront. This 
request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the University of 
Idaho, located at 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, Idaho 83844.
  The report contains $235,000 in CSREES, research and education, for 
the Cool Season Legume Research Project. This program is an aggressive 
cooperative research program between the USDA, the University of Idaho, 
and the University of Washington that seeks new, high yielding, high 
quality, nutritious dry pea, lentil, and chickpea varieties to meet 
producer and consumer needs. This research focuses on the breeding of 
new, superior varieties of legumes; management of nematodes, insects, 
plant diseases and weeds that can limit production; and reduction of 
soil erosion and water degradation associated with production, as well 
as the development of value-added new products. The technology being 
generated through the research is essential for the pea, lentil, and 
chickpea industries to remain competitive and profitable. This request 
is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the University of 
Idaho, located at 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, Idaho 83844.
  The report contains $603,000 in CSREES, research and education, for 
Increasing Shelf Life of Ag Commodities. In order to prevent serious 
food safety issues, this project will fund research and development of 
bio-electronic sensors that can detect the presence of microbial 
pathogens in food and food products. Preventative detection and 
treatment at the agricultural commodity level and fast, accurate 
detection of biological pathogens and dangerous food toxins is an 
important element for ensuring safety and shelf life. The research 
being conducted in this area at the University of Idaho will advance 
and expand previous work on biosensor systems to further enhance 
preventative detection and treatment of biological pathogens and 
dangerous food toxins. This request is consistent with the intended 
purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the University of 
Idaho, located at 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, Idaho 83844.
  The report contains $349,000 in CSREES, research and education, for 
Potato Cyst Nematode Research. This funding will be used by the 
University of Idaho for research and development of means to eradicate 
and better protect the Idaho potato crop from the soil-borne pathogen 
potato cyst nematode, hardened nematode bodies filled with eggs which 
can persist in the soil for up to 25 years. Current eradication depends 
upon methyl bromide, which is not totally effective and which may be 
banned because of its ozone depleting properties, as well as other 
chemicals which are even less effective and several of which may also 
be banned. The funds will be used to maximize the efficiency of methyl 
bromide while it is available and develop new ``green'' replacement 
eradicants (such as green manure or biologically derived nematicides) 
and

[[Page E468]]

procedures (advance hatching frequency), as well as to improve planting 
material screening procedures and to study plant-vectorvirus 
relationships, which may also lead to new ways to fight potato viruses.
  FY08 funding established the groundwork, and the University of Idaho 
is now prepared to fully implement the needed research. This project 
will work in concert with the ongoing USDA eradication program by 
providing new methods of treatment. This crop pest can result in 80% 
yield reductions and has negatively affected agricultural trade. There 
is a good chance that if this threat is addressed with adequate 
research and treatment it can be eliminated. This request is consistent 
with the intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the University of 
Idaho College located at 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, Idaho 83844.
  The report contains $1.037 million for potato research (CSREES). This 
funding would be used to support an on-going research program that 
provides critical support to the potato industry through the 
development of new potato varieties and resistance to disease and 
pests. The ARS research station at Aberdeen, Idaho, has produced eight 
new potato varieties, and it has participated in the development of 
twelve other varieties nationwide. With the increasing threat of 
disease and pests, new varieties are crucial for America's agriculture 
community. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this 
account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the University of 
Idaho, located at 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, Idaho 83844 through the 
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. Research 
will be performed at the United States Department of Agriculture's 
Agriculture Research Service, Pacific West Area, located at 1691 S. 
2700 W., Aberdeen, Idaho 83210.
  The report contains $8.294 million in Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service, salaries and expenses, for Potato Cyst Nematode 
Eradication. The USDA is currently conducting an aggressive eradication 
program to address the outbreak of Potato Cyst Nematode in Idaho, the 
first discovery in the U.S. This pest can result in up to 80% crop 
reductions, and agricultural trade has already been affected. It is 
imperative that our trading partners know we are aggressively 
addressing this issue. Furthermore, this pest has a very high risk of 
dispersion. While it is currently confided to a small area in Eastern 
Idaho, it is very conceivable that, if left untreated, this pest can 
spread, affecting crops other than potatoes. Through this funding, the 
program will continue to adequately address this issue, and there is a 
good potential the pest could be eradicated. This request is consistent 
with the intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the United States 
Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
located at 1400 Independence Avenue, Washington, D.C.


                 DIVISION B--COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE

  The report contains $1,000,000 in the COPS Meth account for the Idaho 
Meth Project. Methamphetamine trafficking and abuse in Idaho has been 
on the rise over the past few years and, as a result, Meth is having a 
devastating impact in many communities throughout the State. Meth is 
the number one illegal drug of choice in Idaho and the State's leading 
drug problem. The financial and social consequences of Meth abuse in 
Idaho are devastating. It is a contributing cause for much of the crime 
in Idaho, costs millions of dollars in productivity, contributes to the 
ever increasing prison populations and adversely impacts families. The 
Idaho Meth Project is a large-scale, statewide prevention and public 
awareness program designed to reduce the prevalence of first-time 
methamphetamine abuse in Idaho by influencing attitudes through high-
impact advertising. Based on the successful Meth Project model 
developed in the state of Montana, the Idaho Meth Project is focused 
solely upon prevention and to achieve this goal is active in three 
areas: Public Service Messaging, Community Action and Public Policy. 
This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is Idaho Meth Project, 
located at 304 N. 8th Street, Room 446, Boise, Idaho 83702.
  The report contains $350,000 in the NOAA account for the Boise Center 
Aerospace Laboratory (BCAL) Watershed Modeling Utilizing LiDAR at Idaho 
State University. ISU's Department of Geosciences has developed free 
spatial analysis tools available to the public for remote sensing and 
geographic information sciences (GIS). The remote sensing tools include 
a downloadable toolbox for analyzing light detection and ranging 
(LiDAR) data, primarily for topography and vegetation in semiarid 
environments. LiDAR technology can also provide topographic data below 
water. This funding will allow the ISU to develop new analysis tools 
for full-waveform LiDAR data to enable continuous characterization from 
the earth's surface to the top of the vegetation canopy. This type of 
analysis has improved potential over multiple return LiDAR data for 
understanding landscape processes in three dimensions. Hyperspectral 
analysis (soils and vegetation) will be coupled with the LiDAR data for 
a full characterization, spectrally and spatially of the landscape. 
These analyses will allow for studies of vegetation structure, 
dependence of vegetation, soils, and earth processes (e.g. fire, 
erosion) on topology (slope & aspect, drainages, surface roughness) and 
will provide up-to-date and precise flood plain maps for rivers with 
built environments to guide decisions on flood insurance coverage and 
land use restrictions. These predictive maps can also aid in evacuation 
of people and livestock during an impending flood. This request is 
consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

  The entity to receive funding for this project is Idaho State 
University, located at 921 South 8th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho 83209.
  The report contains $350,000 in the NOAA account for the Improved 
hydrologic modeling of water resources for snow-dominated regions at 
Boise State University. Mountain-front communities in the western 
United States are experiencing rapid population growth, putting 
pressure on water resources. Wise use of water resources must be 
founded on knowledge of how water cycles through mountain-front 
landscapes. However, hydrologic processes in such systems are poorly 
understood. Understanding and forecasting these impacts of these 
changes requires comprehensive hydrologic models driven by state-of-
the-art technology and science. These funds will assist with the 
development of an operational hydrology model for mountain-front 
hydrologic systems based on new research that advances knowledge on 
physical mechanisms by which water moves from mountains to valleys. The 
hydrologic model will build upon and improve current models used by the 
National Weather Service by making use of satellite technologies. The 
hydrologic model will be capable of assessing the impact of critical 
problems such as urbanization and climate change on water resources. 
This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is Boise State 
University, located at 1910 University Drive Boise, ID 83725-1135.
  The report contains $880,000 in the COPS Law Enforcement Technology 
Account for the Idaho State Police to participate in the Criminal 
Information Sharing Alliance Network (CISAnet). CISAnet is a fully 
functional information-sharing network comprised of law enforcement 
agencies from ten states, including Idaho. The program focuses on drug 
trafficking and border security issues. Sharing of criminal law 
enforcement information by and between these ten states is vital to 
securing an area regarded as one of the most vulnerable to our nation's 
security. These funds would enable Idaho to continue participating in 
CISAnet. This program has received federal funding in previous fiscal 
years. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this 
account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the Idaho State 
Police, located at 700 South Stratford, Meridian, ID 83642.


                      DIVISION C--ENERGY AND WATER

  The report contains $5 million within the Army Corps of Engineers 
Section 595 program for rural water infrastructure upgrades in the 
Eastern Idaho Regional Wastewater Authority. The funding was authorized 
in the Water Resources Development Act. This funding is critical to 
assisting Idaho communities in upgrading their water and wastewater 
treatment facilities. In many cases, this funding is required to comply 
with unfunded mandates passed down by this Congress and federal 
agencies. In addition, these funds help communities in Idaho trying to 
attract new businesses and spur economic development. The vital water 
funding in this bill will assist communities in job creation and 
affordable housing by offering improved services at lower costs than 
would otherwise be possible. This request is consistent with the 
intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the Eastern Idaho 
Regional Wastewater Authority, located at 101 S. Emerson Avenue 
Shelley, Idaho 83274.
  The report contains $1,427,250 in DOE's Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy for the City of Boise's Geothermal Expansion. The 
Boise City geothermal system currently provides a low cost, 
environmentally sound, sustainable, locally provided heat source to 
commercial and publicly owned buildings in downtown Boise. Geothermal 
heat is considered a renewable source of energy and does not rely on 
fossil fuels, nuclear power, mining or damming of rivers and has zero 
emissions into the atmosphere. This project will extend the City of 
Boise geothermal pipeline system to Boise State University and would 
have the capacity to heat over two million square feet on the campus. 
It would provide significant cost savings as global energy costs 
increase and geothermal services continue to expand

[[Page E469]]

to more facilities. This request is consistent with the intended 
purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the City of Boise, 
located at 150 N Capitol Boulevard, Third Floor, Boise, Idaho 83702.
  The report contains $2,498,639 in the DOE Office of Science account 
for the Idaho National Laboratory Center for Advanced Energy Studies 
(CAES) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). CAES is a partnership 
between the State of Idaho and its academic research institutions, the 
federal government through the U.S. Department of Energy and the Idaho 
National Laboratory managed by the Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC. 
Through its collaborative structure, CAES combines the efforts of these 
institutions to provide timely energy research on both technical and 
policy issues. The research equipment obtained through this 
appropriation will enable the INL, Boise State University, Idaho State 
University, the University of Idaho, other national universities and 
private industry to support DOE by furthering collaboration on the 
advanced energy studies. Through the resulting research, CAES will 
contribute to the availability of carbon-neutral renewable energy, such 
as biofuels for transportation; the stewardship of the environment 
including water resource management through energy efficiency; the 
management of fossil fuel energy systems; and the expansion of energy 
production from commercial nuclear power while educating the next 
generation of scientists, engineers, policymakers and the public. This 
request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the Idaho National 
Laboratory, located at 2525 North Freemont St., Idaho Falls, Idaho 
83415.
  The report contains $951,500 in the DOE Office of Science account for 
the Idaho Accelerator Laboratory at Idaho State University. The 
National Academy of Sciences recently issued a report recommending that 
the federal government should increase support to radionuclide 
production, distribution and basic research in production mechanisms; 
increase the domestic production of medical radionuclides through 
dedicated accelerators and reactors; and educate the next generation of 
medically-related nuclear scientists. The Idaho Accelerator Center 
would develop a medical isotope production facility that will serve 
regional isotope needs, conduct basic research in isotope production, 
educate the next generation of medically-related nuclear scientists and 
partner with regional and national entities in medical isotope 
distribution and use. This program would meet regional and national 
needs in education and isotope production and would complement and 
enhance DOE's National Isotope Program. This request is consistent with 
the intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the Idaho State 
University, located at 921 South 8th Avenue, Pocatello, ID 83209.


         DIVISION D--FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT

  The report contains $200,000 in the Small Business Administration for 
a research and economic development and entrepreneurial initiative at 
Boise State University. With this funding, Boise State University will 
be able to establish research partnerships with business and 
governmental agencies to assist businesses in an effort to preserve 
free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall 
economy of the State of Idaho. The federal funds being requested will 
be used to match private and public sector dollars and in-kind 
contributions to conduct collaborative research that creates 
intellectual property, creates jobs and ultimately leads to the benefit 
and growth of the Idaho business community. The funds will also be used 
to develop the necessary infrastructure to mine, protect and assess the 
commercialization potential of the intellectual property that is 
developed as a result of these efforts. This healthy business climate 
is critical to the economic strength of Idaho, the region and the 
nation; the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that originates from 
this sector helps the United States compete in today's global 
marketplace. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of 
this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is Boise State 
University, located at 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725-1135.
  The report also contains $200,000 in the Small Business 
Administration for the Water Cooler, a business development center in 
Boise, Idaho. The Water Cooler is a collaborative project that will 
create a nonprofit business development center for synergistic, 
emerging businesses and interests in Boise's creativity economy. The 
facility will sublease office space to small businesses and 
organizations; provide meeting, seminar and event space; offer a small 
business services center (copy, printing, IT, Wi-Fi, video conferencing 
and the like) and serve as a networking and idea hub for the next 
generation of organizations in the areas of technology, film/arts, 
entertainment, media, venture capital, advertising/marketing, legal and 
urban life. The project will develop and facilitate strategies for 
growing businesses and employment opportunities in Boise and throughout 
Idaho. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this 
account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the Capital City 
Development Corporation, located at 805 W. Idaho St. Ste. 403, Boise, 
ID 83702.


         DIVISION E--INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES

  The report contains $250,000 in STAG for the City of Lava Hot Springs 
Wastewater Improvement project. Lava Hot Springs is a small town of 
only 480 citizens. The city's wastewater treatment plant is currently 
discharging pollutants into the Portneuf River, and the city will be 
facing severe penalties under current federal law. With such a small 
population, the financial burden of coming into compliance is immense. 
This project will improve the collection system by replacing the badly 
deteriorated sewer mains, correct grade problems, and enlarge pipes. 
The problem of debris buildup in the lagoons will be resolved with flow 
meter, screens, and a grit removal system all housed in a constructed 
headwork building. This request is consistent with the intended purpose 
of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the City of Lava 
Hot Springs, located at 115 West Elm, P.O. Box 187, Lava Hot Springs, 
Idaho, 83246.
  The report contains $150,000 in Save America's Treasures for 
Restoration of the Rexburg Historic Westwood Theater. Formerly known as 
the Romance Theater, this circa 1917 building was the heart of 
entertainment for the rural communities of eastern Idaho offering 
vaudeville theater, silent movies, and dance recitals. One of the 
fastest growing communities in Idaho, Rexburg lacks a community venue 
for the arts. The City of Rexburg is attempting to restore the theater 
in order to provide a historical, cultural center for the growing 
population. The building requires restoration of the stage and 
auditorium and repairs to the roof and brick work. The City has 
developed a volunteer citizen committee to raise funding through fund 
raisers and the Idaho Commission on the Arts. This request is 
consistent with the intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the City of 
Rexburg, Idaho, located at 12 North Center Street, P.O. Box 280, 
Rexburg, Idaho, 83440.
  The report contains $2,000,000 in LWCF for Land Acquisition for 
Henry's Lake ACEC. The funding will be used to purchase a conservation 
easement on the historic Johnson Ranch, on the west side of Henry's 
Lake. The ranch sustains an important wildlife migration corridor for 
game herds in the Yellowstone region as well as the area's scenic 
beauty. Roughly 2 million visitors travel through the Henry's Lake area 
every year. This conservation easement will continue existing ranching 
and agricultural activities while protecting the land and its wildlife 
from the subdivision and second home development that is spreading in 
the Island Park/Henry's Lake area. This request is consistent with the 
intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the Bureau of Land 
Management, located at 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83401.
  The report contains $500,000 in LWCF for the Upper Snake/South Fork 
of the Snake River ACEC. The funding will be used to secure 
conservation easements from willing sellers. The BLM has ranked the 
Upper Snake South Fork as a top priority for land acquisition. As one 
of the nation's premier fishing destinations and recreational rivers, 
the Upper Snake/South Fork of the Snake River, which features 
outstanding fish habitat, water quality, scenic vistas and one of the 
West's most extensive cottonwood riparian forests, is under pressure 
from increasing population. The funding will facilitate protection of 
key lands in this landscape and will preserve and protect natural 
habitat while simultaneously supporting important recreational, and 
tourism opportunities in eastern Idaho. Additionally the lands proposed 
for protection include important agricultural lands that will remain in 
production and private ownership. This request is consistent with the 
intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the Bureau of Land 
Management, located at 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83401.
  The report contains $250,000 for the Idaho Sage Grouse Management 
Plan. This funding will be used to implement the state's management 
plan for the sage grouse population, which is on the verge of being 
listed under the Endangered Species Act. A decision by the Fish and 
Wildlife Service could come as early as this spring. Idaho is taking 
proactive steps to recover this species before a listing is required, 
and the Sage Grouse Advisory Committee (SAC) is coordinating 
implementation of a statewide management plan for sage

[[Page E470]]

grouse. Contained within the plan are over 100 conservation measures 
for stabilizing and increasing populations of sage grouse in Idaho. In 
addition, there are 11 Local Working Groups that have completed or in 
the process of forming local plans. These funds will aid in 
implementing state and local plans and continuing the important on-the-
ground work being done by Local Working Groups, including habitat 
restoration, monitoring, research, and education. This request is 
consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

  The entity to receive funding for this project is the Idaho Office of 
Species Conservation located at 300 North 6th Street, Suite 101, Boise, 
Idaho 83702.


        DIVISION F--LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION

  The report contains $333,000 in the Department of Education 
Elementary and Secondary Education account for the Idaho Early Literacy 
Project administered by the Lee Pesky Learning Center in Boise. The aim 
of the Idaho Early Literacy Project is to educate new mothers on the 
importance of early childhood literacy and math skills and providing 
them with resources for educating their children to assure that all 
children in Idaho are ready to read when they enter school. This 
funding will assist with the distribution of the research-based 
booklet, Every Child Ready to Read: Literacy Tips for Parents, to 
hospital maternity wards across Idaho as well as the training of child 
care providers throughout the state of Idaho. The training of child 
care providers includes a face-to-face approach in larger population 
centers and an on-line approach for remote rural locations. The project 
provides that children will receive literacy education at home and in 
child care facilities, creating the ``language rich'' upbringing 
necessary for success in school. This request is consistent with the 
intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is Lee Pesky Learning 
Center, located at 3324 Elder Street, Boise, ID 83705.
  The report contains $285,000 in the Health Resources and Services 
Administration Health Facilities and Services account for the Idaho 
Caring Foundation for Children for dental services for low-income 
children. As a dentist, I understand the importance of proper dental 
hygiene at a very young age. Serious health and self-esteem problems 
can quickly evolve if dental hygiene is neglected early in a child's 
development. The project will provide access to needed dental services 
for 5,000 low-income, uninsured Idaho children. These services will be 
provided by our network of 120 Idaho dentists who provide dental 
services for reduced fees and in partnership with the oral health 
programs at all seven Idaho Health Districts. Eligible children will be 
identified by working in partnership with Idaho schools, health 
departments, Head Start programs and YMCA programs. All administrative 
costs for this program will be donated by Regence BlueShield of Idaho. 
This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is Idaho Caring 
Foundation for Children, located at 1211 W. Myrtle, Suite 110, Boise, 
ID 83702.
  The report contains $285,000 in the Department of Education 
Elementary and Secondary Education Account for the Idaho Falls Arts 
Council ARTKade program for the purchase of equipment. The Idaho Falls 
Arts Council is creating a two-story, 5000 square foot interactive 
visual arts education center for youth, ages K-12, called ARTkade in 
downtown Idaho Falls. This funding will go primarily to purchase 
equipment to build the various arts stations. The purpose of ARTkade is 
to stimulate and re-awaken young people's interest in the visual arts 
by using interactive learning, computer technology and hands on 
festival style art projects that capture their imagination and redirect 
them to art education. The Council is partnering with area schools in 
the development and implementation of this facility (in large part 
because many local schools do not have full-time art teachers) and will 
be providing users with referral information about other arts education 
opportunities in the region. This request is consistent with the 
intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is Idaho Falls Arts 
Council, located at 498 A Street, Idaho Falls, ID 83402.
  The report contains $143,000 in the Department of Education 
Elementary and Secondary Education account for the Life's Kitchen, Inc. 
life skills instruction programs for at-risk youth. This program works 
to stop the cycle of homelessness and prevent dependence on public 
assistance for at-risk, low-income youth (ages 16-20) through hands-on 
experience in the culinary arts combined with life skills instruction. 
Life skill instruction ranges from teaching students interview skills 
to personal financial management, as well as job placement. Life's 
Kitchen provides an innovative 16-week educational program of hands-on 
work experience training for young people who are at-risk and living on 
the fringe of society. These hands-on skills are developed while 
working in our three food businesses: cafe, catering and contract food. 
Students access the program through high school counselors, employment 
agencies, social workers, juvenile correction officers and word-of-
mouth. The funding provided will be used to provide equipment and 
supplies needed to run the mentoring and tutoring as well as the 
culinary instruction portion of the programs. This request is 
consistent with the intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is Life's Kitchen 
Inc., located at 1025 S. Capitol Blvd. Boise, Idaho 83706.
  The report contains $333,000 in the Health Resources and Services 
Administration Health Facilities and Services account for the Idaho 
Oral Health Institute at Idaho State University. The Idaho Oral Health 
Institute will provide a center for oral health education, research, 
and clinical practice in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest region of the 
United States. The Institute will promote the highest quality of oral 
health care by providing education in contemporary clinical methods to 
oral health professionals, innovative continuing education to 
practicing health professionals and staff, collaboration among oral 
health and health professions researchers across the country and a 
state-of-the-art oral health care facility including classrooms, 
clinics, and laboratories with leading edge equipment and technology 
designed for education and research. This request is consistent with 
the intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is Idaho State 
University, located at 921 South 8th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho 83209.
  The report contains $285,000 in the Institute of Museums and Library 
Services Museums and Libraries Account for the Discovery Center of 
Idaho for exhibits and outreach. The Discovery Center of Idaho is 
collaborating with multiple partners to create a new model of ``hands-
on'' science center to captivate the attention of and inspire 
tomorrow's leaders and innovators. The center will be a resource for 
the region, with particular interest in serving rural areas to help 
break the myth that innovation is an urban phenomenon--and emphasize 
the understanding that ingenuity is found wherever and whenever an 
observant creative human being has a problem to solve. This is a 
tremendous opportunity to create a new approach to bridging the gap in 
science and technology education particularly for the underserved. This 
request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

  The entity to receive funding for this project is Discovery Center of 
Idaho, located at 131 Myrtle St., Boise, ID 83702.
  The report contains $285,000 in the Department of Education's Higher 
Education account for the College of Southern Idaho's Pro-Tech Training 
Program. This program will enable the College to partner with other 
agencies to identify training needs and to identify potential 
candidates for employment. Data provided by Region IV of the State of 
Idaho Economic Development Agency indicate that manufacturing will be a 
leading employment area in the Magic Valley with over 250 new jobs 
expected over the next two years. The College of Southern Idaho has 
identified a significant educational demand for hi-tech manufacturing 
and engineering and a need for in-depth training in the technological 
aspects of the design, fabrication and manufacturing phases of 
production. These jobs will require the type of training that the 
College of Southern Idaho can provide with great expertise. This 
funding would be used to develop curriculum, implement new post-
secondary educational-technical training degrees and programs at the 
College. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this 
account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is College of Southern 
Idaho, located at 315 Falls Ave. Twin Falls, ID 83303-1238.
  The report contains $285,000 in the Health Resources and Services 
Administration Health Facilities and Services account for St. Luke's 
Regional Medical Center's Children Health Services Expansion. The 
Children's Health Services Expansion project provides an essential 
increase in capacity for Pediatric Medical/Surgical, Pediatric 
Intensive Care, Neonatal Intensive Care, Pediatric Oncology, and 
Pediatric Surgical Suites and support areas, to meet the needs of the 
rapidly growing population in the hospital's service area. The hospital 
is spending millions on the expansion and federal funds will represent 
only a small portion of the project's total costs. This request is 
consistent with the intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is St. Luke's Regional 
Medical Center Ltd., located at 190 E. Bannock Street, Boise, ID 83712.
  The report contains $381,000 in the Health Resources and Services 
Administration Health Facilities and Services account for Madison 
County Memorial Hospital. Madison County Memorial Hospital services a 
growing area encompassing five counties and quite simply has outgrown 
its facilities. Increased capacity for obstetrics (Madison County 
Memorial Hospital

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has more births than any other hospital of its size in the State of 
Idaho and possibly the nation) and inpatient and outpatient surgeries 
is needed. The size of this project is 70,000 sq. feet of new 
construction and 85,000 sq. feet of remodeling, with an overall budget 
of $49 million and an equipment budget of over $7 million. Federal 
funding will be used for necessary medical equipment for the expanded 
and remodeled facility and represents a very small portion of the 
overall funding for this project. This request is consistent with the 
intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is Madison County 
Memorial Hospital, located at 450 East Main, Rexburg, ID 83440.
  The report contains $190,000 in the Department of Education 
Elementary and Secondary Education account for Idaho SySTEMic Solution 
program at Boise State University. Idaho SySTEMic Solution is a 
nationally relevant, hands-on, project-based STEM learning system 
(science, technology, engineering, & math) designed to spur achievement 
and confidence among elementary-age learners and their teachers. Key 
project components will include: 1) a comprehensive teacher training 
model that includes a one-week summer institute and ongoing site-based 
follow-up training to boost the ability and confidence of elementary 
teachers; 2) implementation into demographically diverse schools 
(grades 1-5/6, urban to suburban to rural, multicultural) of 
curriculum-aligned learning lab systems that have been shown to improve 
student scores in math, science, and technology; and 3) research and 
evaluation of results in accordance with Idaho and national assessment 
standards to maximize the effectiveness of transplanting this solution 
to other U.S. states. This request is consistent with the intended 
purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is Boise State 
University, located at 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725-1135.


       DIVISION I--TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

  The report contains $285,000 in the HUD/EDI account for the Custer 
County Economic Development Initiative in Custer County, ID. Custer 
County is overwhelmingly owned by the federal government, creating 
enormous financial challenges. The county has a very small tax base 
with high costs for maintaining roads and services over a very large 
area. Funding would allow the county to purchase and renovate an old 
middle school in Challis that would become a government and business 
center housing county offices and allowing them to become ADA 
compliant. This project received $100,000 in FY08, and funding of this 
request would complete the project. This request is consistent with the 
intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is Custer County, 
Idaho, located at 801 Main Street, Challis, Idaho, 83226.
  The report contains $1,961,750 in the FHWA/Public Lands Highways 
account for the City of Rocks Back Country Byway Relocation, ID. This 
16.7 mile long project is located on the popular City of Rocks Back 
Country Byway in Cassia County, Idaho, which provides the only direct 
access to the City of Rocks National Reserve. When fully completed, the 
project will pave a 1.0 mile gravel segment, reconstruct 15.7 miles of 
deficient roadway, correct deteriorated road and slope conditions, 
provide a wider road with shoulders and guardrail, and improve the 
road's alignment by reducing the number and severity of sharp curves 
and steep grades. These improvements will increase safety for the 
driving public and provide safer access for bicycle and pedestrian 
traffic. These improvements will also significantly reduce the amount 
of on-going maintenance required to keep the route usable. Previous 
federal funding, FY 1999 through FY 2008, totals $12,827,000 including 
$3.95 million in FY 2008. Full funding of this request in FY 2009 will 
complete the project. This request is consistent with the intended 
purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the Idaho 
Department of Transportation, located at 3311 West State Street, Boise, 
Idaho, 83707-1129.
  The report contains $4,845,000 in the FTA/Buses and Bus Facilities 
account for Buses and Bus Facilities for the Idaho Transit Coalition. 
Funding for this project will be used to support essential transit 
systems in rural and urban areas of the State of Idaho. This project 
meets the criteria of the FTA's Section 5209 Capital Program and has 
been funded by the Committee since FY 2002. This request is consistent 
with the intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the Community 
Transportation Association of Idaho, located at 10480 Garverdale Court, 
Bldg. 4, Suite 804A, Boise, Idaho 83704.
  The report contains $475,000 in the FHWA/Interstate Maintenance 
Discretionary account for the I-84, Broadway Avenue to Gowen Road 
Widening, Boise, ID. Funding will be used for design of the project to 
add a third east and westbound lane between Broadway Avenue and Gowen 
Road on I-84. With funding, the project will be ready for construction 
in FY10 in conjunction with the State of Idaho's Connecting Idaho 
projects in the Boise area. Improving I-84 through Boise and the 
surrounding area is a priority for the State of Idaho. In FY 2008, $1.5 
million was appropriated for the I-84 Interchange at Broadway Avenue 
that precedes this project, which is required to alleviate congestion 
and safety issues caused by the continued fast growth in the Treasure 
Valley. This project is included in the I-84 Boise Corridor Study 
adopted by the Idaho Transportation Department and the Community 
Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) Boards in October of 
2001 and part of the COMPASS Regional 2030 Long Range Transportation 
Plan, approved in 2006. This request is consistent with the intended 
purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is the Idaho 
Department of Transportation, located at 3311 West State Street, Boise, 
Idaho 83707-1129.
  The report contains $475,000 in the FTA/Buses and Bus Facilities 
account for the Treasure Valley Transit Facilities, Meridian, ID. This 
project will fund site location and required environmental analysis for 
up to one administration facility and/or up to four bus transfer 
centers to improve transit services in western Ada and Canyon Counties, 
Idaho. The development of transit facilities is a recommendation in the 
regional transit plan which characterizes these transit centers as 
crucial to the success of the transit system. These facilities will 
support regional public transportation services in the area. $9.5 
million was authorized in SAFETEA-LU for the Boise Multi-Modal Center 
(MMC). This project is part of the same system and is included, as is 
the MMC, in the regional capital facilities plan for transit in the 
Treasure Valley. This project is the next phase of development. Funds 
to date include $288,000 in the FY2008 Appropriations Bill for site 
location and the start of the environmental analysis. Matching funds 
for this year total $125,000. This request is consistent with the 
intended purpose of this account.
  The entity to receive funding for this project is Valley Regional 
Transit, located at 830 N. Main Street, Meridian, Idaho 83642.
  I appreciate the opportunity to provide a list of Congressionally-
directed projects in my district and an explanation of my support for 
them.
  (1.) $254,000 for NW Center for Small Fruits in Corvallis, OR
  (2.) $650,000 for Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis 
Committee
  (3.) $176,000 for the Nez Perce BioControl Center
  (4.) $926,000 for the Tri-State Predator Control Program
  (5.) $514,000 for the Barley for Rural Development Project
  (6.) $235,000 for the Cool Season Legume Research Project
  (7.) $603,000 for Increasing Shelf Life of Ag Commodities
  (8.) $349,000 for Potato Cyst Nematode Research
  (9.) $1.037 million for Potato Research (CSREES)
  (10.) $8.294 million for Potato Cyst Nematode Eradication
  (11.) $1,000,000 for the Idaho Meth Project
  (12.) $350,000 for the Boise Center Aerospace Laboratory (BCAL) 
Watershed Modeling Utilizing LiDAR; Idaho State University
  (13.) $350,000 for the Improved hydrologic modeling of water 
resources for snow-dominated regions; Boise State University
  (14.) $880,000 for Criminal Information Sharing Alliance Network 
(CISAnet); Idaho State Police
  (15.) $5,000,000 for Rural Idaho water projects; Eastern Idaho 
Regional Wastewater Authority
  (16.) $1,427,250 for Boise City Geothermal System Expansion; City of 
Boise
  (17.) $2,498,639 for the Idaho National Laboratory Center for 
Advanced Energy Studies; Idaho National Laboratory
  (18.) $951,500 for the Idaho Accelerator Center Production of Medical 
Isotopes; Idaho State University
  (19.) $200,000 for a research and economic development and 
entrepreneurial initiative; Boise State University
  (20.) $200,000 for a business development center, Capital City 
Development Corporation
  (21.) $250,000 for City of Lava, Wastewater Improvement (STAG)
  (22.) $150,000 for Rexburg Historic Westwood Theater (SAT)
  (23.) $2,000,000 for Land Acquisition for Henry's Lake ACEC (LWCF)
  (24.) $500,000 for the Upper Snake/South Fork of the Snake River ACEC 
(LWCF)
  (25.) $250,000 for the Idaho Sage Grouse
  (26.) $333,000 for Idaho Early Literacy Project; Lee Pesky Learning 
Center
  (27.) $285,000 for Dental services for low-income children; Idaho 
Caring Foundation for Children

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  (28.) $285,000 for ARTKade; Idaho Falls Arts Council
  (29.) $143,000 for Life skills instructions programs for at-risk 
youth; Life's Kitchen Inc.
  (30.) $333,000 for Idaho Oral Health Institute; Idaho State 
University
  (31.) $285,000 for The Discovery Center of Idaho exhibits and 
outreach; Discovery Center of Idaho
  (32.) $285,000 for College of Southern Idaho Pro-Tech Training 
Program; College of Southern Idaho
  (33.) $285,000 for Children's Health Services Expansion; St. Luke's 
Regional Medical Center, Ltd
  (34.) $381,000 for Madison Country Memorial Hospital Construction and 
Renovation Project; Madison County Memorial Hospital
  (35.) $190,000 for Idaho SySTEMic Solution program; Boise State 
University
  (36.) $285,000 for Custer County to purchase middle school building
  (37.) $1,961,750 for the City of Rocks Back Country Byway
  (38.) $4,845,000 for the Idaho Transit Coalition for Buses and Bus 
Facilities
  (39.) $475,000 for I-84 Broadway Avenue to Gowen Road Widening
  (40.) $475,000 for the Treasure Valley Transit Facilities

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