[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 159 (Thursday, October 29, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2658]
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, October 29, 2009

  Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Speaker, in accordance with the policies and 
standards put forth by the House Appropriations Committee and the GOP 
Leadership, I would like to submit a listing of the congressionally-
directed projects I requested in my home state of Idaho that are 
contained in the Conference Report accompanying H.R. 2996, the FY2010 
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.
  Project Name: City of American Falls Wastewater System Improvements
  Amount Requested: $300,000
  Account: EPA/STAG
  Recipient: City of American Falls
  Recipient's Address: 550 N. Oregon Trail, American Falls, ID 83211-
1800
  Description: The city's recently completed wastewater facilities 
planning study evaluated numerous options to address the city's 
wastewater infrastructure deficiencies and meet U.S. EPA and IDEQ 
regulations. Based on input from the city, IDEQ, citizens of American 
Falls, and the consulting engineers performing the study, it was 
determined that a new wastewater treatment facility incorporating 
membrane technologies was the best solution to meet the needs of the 
city. Such a treatment facility utilizes state-of-the-art treatment 
technology that would be able to meet current and anticipated future 
State and Federal requirements. In addition, it would provide future 
flexibility to the city for pursuing other treated wastewater disposal 
methods. Total project cost is over $10 million. The people of American 
Falls will be absorbing the majority of costs for this project.
  Project Name: City of Buhl Wastewater System Improvements
  Amount: $750,000
  Account: EPA/STAG
  Recipient: City of Buhl
  Recipient's Address: 203 North Broadway, Buhl, ID 83316
  Description: The city is periodically exceeding the NPDES limitations 
under the Clean Water Act and was recently fined by EPA for non-
compliance of their pH, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and Biochemical 
Oxygen Demand (BOD) IDEQ and EPA have mandated that the city build a 
new wastewater treatment center. Buhl, a town of less than 5,000 
residents, recently passed a bond election for $15 million to help pay 
for the required improvements to their water system. The loan funds 
will be a burden to the residents--many of whom are elderly (19% of the 
community) and the majority of whom are low to moderate income--and 
will increase monthly water bills by over $100, but even this will be 
unsustainable without additional assistance. Funding for this project 
will enable the City build a new wastewater treatment center that would 
meet the Federal and State mandates imposed on the community.
  Project Name: Historic Old Pen Site Stabilization Project
  Amount: $150,000 8 604
  Account: National Park Service/Save America's Treasures
  Recipient: Idaho State Historical Society
  Recipient's Address: 2205 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, ID 83712
  Description: This project will provide stabilization to the Old Idaho 
State Penitentiary historic site, which is operated by the Idaho State 
Historical Society. The Old Pen is one of the West's most significant 
prison sites and one of the most visited cultural facilities in Idaho. 
It thus plays a key role in the economic vitality of Boise and the 
Treasure Valley. Funding would be used for work needed immediately to 
stabilize the site. In addition, funding would be used for an historic 
structures report to help better anticipate future maintenance and 
repair needs before they become emergency situations.
  Project Name: Idaho Sage-Grouse Management Plan
  Amount: $1,000,000
  Account: Fish and Wildlife Service/ESA Resource Management
  Recipient: Idaho Governor's Office of Species Conservation
  Recipient's Address: 300 N. 6th Street, Boise, ID 83702
  Description: Sage-grouse are on the verge of being listed under the 
Endangered Species Act, with a decision on listing expected this 
spring. Idaho is taking proactive steps to recover this species before 
a listing is required. The management plan, which is a partnership with 
private landowners, is an attempt to be wise stewards of the nation's 
wildlife without being compelled to do so by law.
  Project Name: Piva Parcel Land Acquisition
  Amount: $400,000
  Account: USFS/Land Acquisition
  Recipient: U.S. Forest Service, Sawtooth National Recreation Area
  Recipient's Address: 5 North Fork Canyon Road, Ketchum, ID 83340
  Description: Funds will be used to enable the Forest Service to 
acquire the 160-acre Piva parcel from a willing seller so that it can 
be used for public recreation and access to the Redfish Lake recreation 
area from the town of Stanley. The Forest Service currently has a 
conservation easement on the property, but acquiring the land is 
necessary to carry out planned improvements.
  Project Name: SNRA Trail Maintenance and Improvements
  Amount: $1,200,000
  Account: Capital Improvements and Maintenance (Trail Construction)
  Recipient: U.S. Forest Service, Sawtooth National Recreation Area
  Recipient's Address: 5 North Fork Canyon Road, Ketchum, ID 83340
  Description: Funds will be used for trail construction, maintenance, 
and improvement in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Of the funds 
appropriated for trail maintenance and improvement in the Sawtooth 
National Recreation Area, $500,000 is for trail improvements; $500,000 
is for maintenance of existing motorized trails and areas; and $200,000 
is for the improvement of two existing trails to provide primitive 
wheelchair access at Murdock Creek and Phyllis Lake.
  I appreciate the opportunity to provide a list of congressionally-
directed projects in my district that have received funding in the 
Conference Report accompanying the Interior, Environment, and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act for FY2010 and provide an explanation of my 
support for them.

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