[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1469-E1470]
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

                        Wednesday, June 17, 2009

  Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Speaker, in accordance with the policies and 
standards put forth by the House Appropriations Committee and the GOP 
Leadership, I submit a list of the congressionally-directed projects I 
have requested in my home state of Idaho that are contained in the 
report of HR 2847, Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 2010.
  Project Name: Boise Center Aerospace Laboratory (BCAL) Watershed 
Modeling Utilizing LiDAR at Idaho State University
  Amount Requested: $500,000
  Account: Department of Commerce NOAA
  Recipient: Idaho State University
  Recipient's Street Address: 921 South 8th Avenue Stop 8007, 
Pocatello, Idaho 83209
  Description: 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 LiDAR is an imaging method using a laser mounted on an 
aircraft to determine precise vertical information (topography) of the 
earth's surface (15 cm precision). Commonly, this information is 
translated into high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) LiDAR 
can provide both a bare earth surface and the vegetated (or built) 
surface. LiDAR can also provide topographic data below water. 
Specifically to the concern of NOAA and the State of Idaho, LiDAR can 
provide up to date and precise flood plain maps for rivers with built 
environments (such as the Boise River) 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 project will leverage existing infrastructure and expertise 
at ISU to develop state-of-the-art watershed modeling tools for NOAA 
and other federal agencies. These tools will enable better management 
of watersheds through improved topographic analyses for prediction of 
runoff, floods, and water storage capacity. 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 and aspect, drainages, surface roughness). The goal of this 
research and its resulting algorithms and tools is to significantly 
benefit NOAA in its ability to convert LiDAR data into usable 
derivative datasets for environmental and safety applications in Idaho 
and elsewhere.
  Project Name: Idaho Meth Project
  Amount Requested: $1,000,000
  Account: Department of Justice COPS Meth
  Recipient: Idaho Meth Project
  Recipient's Street Address: 304 N. 8th Street, Room 446, Boise, Idaho 
83702
  Description: 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 Idaho. 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. 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 includes a 
pervasive media campaign reaching the target population through TV, 
radio, billboards, print, and the Internet.

  Project Name: Idaho State Police to participate in the Criminal 
Information Sharing Alliance Network (CISAnet)
  Amount Requested: $500,000
  Account: Department of Justice COPS Law Enforcement Technology

[[Page E1470]]

  Recipient: Idaho State Police
  Recipient's Street Address: 700 South Stratford, Meridian, Idaho 
83642
  Description: In 2006, the Idaho State Police (ISP) developed and 
deployed, on a limited basis, a web-based Case Investigative System 
(CIS). This tool allows investigators to collect, use and share 
critical law enforcement information across the state. CISAnet provides 
a bi-directional information-sharing network within and between state 
and local law enforcement agencies. CISAnet provides ISP and law 
enforcement across Idaho with real time access to criminal intelligence 
information shared by law enforcement partner agencies within the 
states of Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Louisiana, 
Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. This ten state area is 
regarded as one of the most vulnerable to our nation's security--a 
'soft spot' through which illegal Mexican immigrants filter, illegal 
drug trafficking passes and terrorists move freely. It is believed that 
securing this porous border with Mexico is an effective way to protect 
American citizens. The CISAnet system provides an effective means for 
law enforcement agencies to share information across state lines on 
known or suspected criminal activity. Together, access to CISAnet, 
Idaho's Fusion Center and remote access to CIS will ensure that Idaho 
state and local law enforcement officers have the best information 
available in a timely manner. In today's environment, these systems are 
an effective way to monitor illegal drug and terrorist activity and 
identify, target and locate potential terrorists. These systems are 
important components of an overall prevention strategy and are crucial 
to protecting the citizens of Idaho and the United States' homeland 
security. The Criminal Information Sharing Alliance network (CISAnet) 
FY2010 federal funding will be used to continue the integration of CIS 
into the CISAnet infrastructure, to expand its capabilities by adding a 
Geo coding module and by integrating CIS, RMS and CISAnet into Idaho's 
Criminal Intelligence Center.
  Project Name: NCOMS Medical and Mental Health Sharing Software 
Development
  Amount Requested: $500,000
  Account: Department of Justice Byrne Discretionary Grants
  Recipient: Idaho Department of Corrections
  Recipient's Street Address: 1299 North Orchard, Suite 110, Boise, 
Idaho 83706.
  Description: States are legally mandated to provide appropriate 
medical care to incarcerated individuals. These funds will be used to 
create, modularize and implement the medical/mental health module for 
the National Consortium of Offender Management Systems (NCOMS). This 
technology will allow public safety organizations that house offenders 
to track and record the medical information to ensure that offenders 
receive proper medical treatment.
  I appreciate the opportunity to provide a list of Congressionally-
directed projects in the FY2010 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related 
Agencies Appropriations bill on behalf of Idaho and provide an 
explanation of my support for them.

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