Albany will receive funds to update its flood plain mapping if a bill passed Thursday by the House Approriations Committee is approved.
WASHINGTON — Congressman Sanford Bishop announced Thursday approval of the fiscal year 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, including provisions that will benefit two projects in the Second Congressional District, by the Appropriations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Bishop, D-Albany, noted that the bill, which is expected to be considered by the full House next week, includes $2.25 million that will benefit the Fall Line Ecosystem Restoration Project on the Chattahoochee River and improve the city of Albany’s flood plain mapping system.
The bill provides $250,000 for the city to update its flood plain mapping, inventory and public service assistance programs to reflect recent changes in topography, population and commercial growth. In discussions related to the project, Bishop noted that Albany had been adversely affected by flooding during the past 10 years and would be better able to serve, protect and accommodate future growth in both its population and economy through the improvements.
“As Albany grows, it is vitally important that investments in economic development are protected from natural disasters,” Bishop said. “Improving technology that allows the city to better plan for flooding, which has plagued the area in recent years, is crucial to that aim.
“I am pleased to have been able to help make it happen.”
Assistant Albany City Manager Wes Smith said Thursday the good news from Bishop’s office will allow the city to enhance a GIS mapping program that was approved for $1.5 million in funding as a Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax V project.
“First and foremost, congratulations and thanks go to Congressman Bishop,” Smith said. “I think you also have to applaud the City Commission for having the foresight to contract with a lobbyist (The Ferguson Group) that has pushed the agenda set by the city.
“The funds from the (Energy and Water Appropriations) bill will allow us to move further and faster with the mapping program. That’s a very positive thing.”
The bill approved by the House Appropriations Committee further allocates $2 million for the Fall Line Ecosystem Restoration Project that will remove two low-head dams and restore fish habitat for shoal bass and other species on a 2.3-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River. The project is expected to advance eco-tourism and economic development in the region.
“This project demonstrates how economic development and environmental protection can go hand-in-hand, and I am pleased the House Appropriations Committee (of which Bishop is a member) recognized this in approving this project,” the Congressman said.
Overall, the FY 2008 bill allocates $30.3 billion to the Department of Energy’s budget, which represents a $1.15 billion increase over the previous year and $480 million more than the amount requested by President Bush.
Much of the committee’s bill refocuses research and development within the Energy Department to areas such as alternative fuels and nuclear non-proliferation. It also focuses funding for the Army Corps of Engineers on strengthening the nation’s navigational infrastructure and improving flood control programs.
Carlton Fletcher at The Albany Herald
