House Approves Vital Environmental Funding Bill

Legislation, crafted in part by Congressman Rothman, funds infrastructure investment, land conservation and cleaner air and water in New Jersey

October 29, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) – Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2996, the Fiscal Year 2010 Interior and Environment Appropriations Conference Report, which was co-authored by Congressman Rothman and fellow members of the House Appropriations Committee.

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This legislation determines federal funding for the Department of Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition, Congressman Rothman was able to secure congressionally-directed funding for sewer upgrade projects in New Jersey 9th Congressional District towns, including Hackensack and Fort Lee.

“New Jersey has a proud tradition of protecting and conserving the air, water and open spaces for our citizens to enjoy,” said Rothman. “Our environmental resources are public assets that create jobs and improve the quality of life for all of our residents. This bill will reduce pollution, clean up toxic waste, and conserve wilderness areas in our state and throughout the country.”

H.R. 2996 makes strong investments in protecting America’s natural resources, including: providing $3.6 billion to help nearly 1,500 communities improve their drinking water and wastewater systems, $1.5 billion to clean up dangerous toxic waste at sites around the nation, $503.3 million for the National Wildlife System, and $2.7 billion for maintaining and improving America’s National Parks.

Additionally, the bill directs funding to improvement projects in New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District, including:

• $750,000 for the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission’s Passaic Valley Combined Sewage Overflow Project

• $500,000 for sewer upgrades in Fort Lee, NJ

• $300,000 for sewer upgrades in Hackensack, NJ

“Funding for these projects, as well as hundreds of others in New Jersey and throughout the country will improve communities, provide employment and reduce our impact on the environment,” said Rothman. “With the passage of this legislation, we make real progress toward restoring America’s lakes, rivers, forests and parks, and I am proud to have worked with my fellow committee members in bringing this bill to the floor.”

H.R. 2996 passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 247-178 on October 29, 2009. The Conference Report is currently awaiting final passage by the U.S. Senate and is expected to be signed by the President shortly thereafter.

Source: Congressman Steve Rothman