Senator Ben Nelson: Over $2.5 Million In Stimulus Funds For Nebraska Water Projects

June 2, 2009 – Today, Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson welcomed plans announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to send more than $2.5 million to Nebraska as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funds will go to water projects in the Gering Valley and Knox County.

“These funds will help safeguard flood-prone areas of Nebraska while creating jobs,” said Senator Nelson. “In addition, funds for restoring land to its natural state will help our environment and provide economic stimulus to rural Nebraska communities.”

The $2.2 million in funding for Gering Valley is part of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) efforts to create jobs in areas most impacted economically by natural disaster. The funds will be used to increase the rate of watershed restoration and reduce the potential harmful impacts of flooding.

The $361,260 in funding for Knox County is part of the USDA-NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program which acquires easements on land damaged by recent or repeated flooding and funds conservation work to restore the land to its natural state. Restoring land ensures that it functions properly and reduces the need for long-term federal disaster assistance.

Senator Nelson played a key role in the passage of the $787 billion stimulus bill. He worked with a bipartisan group of nearly 20 Senators to better focus The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on tax cuts for the middle class and job creation for millions of Americans. Senator Nelson led the group through the initial bill line by line, dollar by dollar, to reduce spending and cut out $108 billion of inefficient or less-stimulative spending. The bipartisan group helped the improved bill win congressional approval. President Obama signed it into law February 17, 2009.

Senator Nelson is posting information about the release of stimulus finds on his website as it becomes available. Visit http://bennelson.senate.gov/issues/stimulus/index.cfm for more information.

Soruce: Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson