Press
Release:
The conference report authorizes funding for northeast Ohio projects requested by Sen.
Voinovich, a conferee and member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
This is the first WRDA bill passed by the Senate since 2000, when Sen. Voinovich was
Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. Sen. Voinovich strongly
believes national investment in water resources has not kept pace with our level of
economic expansion. If the steep decline in federal investment persists, our continued
economic expansion and environmental improvements will be threatened.
"This is a big step forward to help address the challenges we face as a nation and
in many of Ohio's communities with water quality," Sen. Voinovich said. "I have
long been an advocate of better water infrastructure. Cleaning up our lakes and streams is
critical to improving our nation's water quality. I urge my colleagues in both houses to
quickly finalize this legislation and get these vital projects funded."
Funding is included in the conference report for the following northeast Ohio projects:
Lower Girard Lake Dam:
Authorizes $16 million for the repair and
rehabilitation of the Girard Dam and requires the Corps to repair the dam to meet the
state of Ohio's dam safety standards.
City of Akron Water Infrastructure
: Authorizes $5 million for
wastewater infrastructure in Akron. The city of Akron faces a $425 million water
infrastructure problem. This project provides an opportunity to improve the city's water
quality and reduce the combined sewer overflows.
City of Cleveland Water Infrastructure
: Authorizes $2.5 million for Flats East
Bank water and wastewater infrastructure in the Flats East Bank area of Cleveland.
Flood Control:
Last summer, northeastern Ohio experienced significant
flooding and the area was declared a National Disaster Area by the President. This
provision authorizes the Corps to conduct flood control studies for Cuyahoga, Lake,
Ashtabula, Geauga, Erie, Lucas, Sandusky, Huron and Stark Counties.
Brightwood Lake Dam in Concord Township: Authorizes the Corps to rehabilitate this
Class I high-hazard dam.
