Senator Harkin on Iowa Interior Projects

Harkin Announces $1.85 Million In Federal Aid For Interior Projects Across Iowa

June 22, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that he worked to secure a total of $1.85 million in funding for projects contained in the Fiscal Year 2010 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. The measure must still be considered by the Appropriations subcommittee – slated for tomorrow – before being considered by the full committee. It will then need to be approved by both the House and Senate before it becomes law. Harkin is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.

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“This funding will aid efforts to boost economic growth in these areas by providing adequate sewer service, creating additional wildlife refuges and improving a historical building” said Harkin. “This assistance protects our past and contributes to the future of our cities.”

Details of the projects are below.

$300,000- City of Ottumwa to improve wastewater and storm water systems as well as protect water quality in the city. The funds will be used to aid in a sewer separation plan, which constructs a storm sewer system, allowing removal of storm water intakes from the existing system.

$300,000- City of Boone to improve and update the wastewater and storm water infrastructure in to comply with state-mandated standards.

$300,000- City of Clinton to construct a new regional wastewater treatment facility for Clinton and Camanche. The project will include a new pump station and preliminary treatment work at Clinton’s existing treatment plant.

$300,000- City of Keokuk to help the city adhere to EPA and Iowa DNR mandates to separate combined sanitary sewer and storm sewers. The funds will help the city of Keokuk continue with their improvements.

$450,000- Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge, which was established in 1989 to protect federally endangered species, is 781 acres in four counties in northeastern Iowa. The funds will be used to purchase the 171-acre Finch Memorial tract in Winneshiek County, containing rare algific slope habitats for the Northern monkshood, a flower with distinctive blue shaped flowers and the Pleistocene snail.

$200,000- Des Moines Art Center to repair and modify two of the Des Moines Art Center’s buildings, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designed by Eliel Saarinen and I.M. Pei.

Source: Senator Tom Harkin