FY09 Funding Requests

The projects listed below were submitted by my office for inclusion in the FY2009 funding bills. They are listed by Appropriations Subcommittee, and are in no particular order.

Due to current budget contraints, a majority of the requests will not be approved for funding, but I believe they all merit strong consideration by my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee.

AGRICTULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FDA, AND RELATED AGENCIES

Southwest Consortium for Plant Genetics and Water Resources - University of Arizona - $400,000
The Consortium's research focuses on understanding how plants adapt to high salt levels in desert soils; identifying genetic characteristics of plants for robust food production; and identifying water management methods for agricultural production.

International Arid Lands Consortium - University of Arizona - $875,000
This Consortium works to achieve research and development, educational and training initiatives, demonstration projects, workshops, and other technology-transfer activities applied to the development, management, restoration,of arid/semiarid land.

U.S. Marine Shrimp Farming Consortium - University of Arizona - $4,200,000
This program allows leading investigators and their institutions in partnership with industry to engage in focused, results-oriented projects directed at developing biologically, economically, and environmentally sustainable shrimp farming in the US.

COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE, AND RELATED AGENCIES

Police Mobile Video Project - The City of Yuma - $200,000
To install dash mounted mobile video cameras in 30 police department vehicles.

Binational Migration Institute - University of Arizona - $500,000
Project creates model for standardizing counting, identification, and handling of UBC decedents across the U.S.-Mexico border & creates a handbook for training of coroners /medical examiners. Will produce 5-10 training workshops for border coroners and medical examiners.

Tucson Methamphetamine Education Program - City of Tucson Police Department - $500,000
The Tucson Methamphetamine Education Program is a public service and outreach campaign to educate Tucson citizens and school children on the dangers of meth production, use and abuse.

Border Security/Law Enforcement - Tohono O'odham Nation - $2,000,000
The Nation would utilize any and all funding received to address border security issues and provide better protection for our homeland, where more than 1500 undocumented immigrants and drug traffickers cross the border into the Nation's lands daily.

Tucson Finger Imaging Upgrade System - City of Tucson/Tucson Police Department - $1,400,000
The Tucson Finger Imaging Project will support the upgrade of the Arizona Automated Fingerprint Identification System workstations and devices within the City and among law enforcement agencies in Southern Arizona.

Juvenile Detention Center for CRIT & Other Tribes - Colorado River Indian Tribes - $2,850,000
Construction of a multi-tribal juvenile detention facility on the CRIT reservation.

Child Abuse Training Programs for Judicial Personnel: Victims Act Model Courts Project - National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges - $3,000,000
Improving outcomes for children in foster care systems by providing judges, court-related professionals & child welfare agencies with practical, concrete, and effective tools for creating court improvements in handling of child abuse & neglect cases. The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) is a non-profit national judicial membership organization which provides state-of-the-art training, technical assistance and research to judges and to court systems nationally each year.

NCJFCJ Judicial Training, Research and Technical Assistance - National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges - $3,000,000
Provides courts and juvenile justice system professionals nationwide current continuing education, TA, and research which improves decision-making for children, youth and families in cases involving juvenile delinquency and child abuse and neglect. The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) is a non-profit national judicial membership organization which provides state-of-the-art training, technical assistance and research to judges and to court systems nationally each year.

CoBRA Communications Initiative - Collaborative Border Regional Alliance (CoBRA)- $5,407,260
To fully complete the regional communications interoperability project already started with CoBRA for Santa Cruz County, as well as move Santa Cruz County and CoBRA towards SAFECOM’s Optimal Level of the Interoperability Continuum. CoBRA is a non-profit organization in Southern Arizona who's sole mission is to provide critical funding to solve the interoperability issue on our nations southern border and surrounding cities.

Autonomic Tracking and Response System Demonstration - Raytheon Missile Systems - $2,000,000
Funding would support development of wireless devices embedded with environmental sensors and control systems to provide geo-positional and integrity status of critical material shipments domestically and overseas, from packing to delivery.

DEFENSE

Protective Self-Decontaminating Surfaces - Ventana Research Corp. - $3,500,000
To fund the Protective Self-Decontaminating Surfaces program, demonstrating night/day on-site individual/collective protection from airborne Chemcial/Biological attacks. The objective is to transfer of the technology developed under this project from the laboratory to field a durable, long-lasting, self-decontaminating system for the individual and collective protection of personnel and platforms from airborne CB attacks. This protective material is chemically bonded to hydrophobic, short textile fibers and packaged as thin, flexible adhesive panels/tape and also as paint for adhering to coarse surfaces. These protective systems will be low-cost and easily supported logistically as they can be directly applied as durable, interior and exterior coatings (adhesive tape, paint, spray) for such platforms as hard- and soft surface shelters, protective garments, vehicles, aircraft, ships, buildings, medical offices, hospitals, schools, auditoriums, and sensitive electronic devices (SEDs).

Compact Eyesafe Tactical Laser - DILAS, Inc - $3,900,000
DILAS, Inc. proposes development for the U.S. Army of proprietary packaging technology for specialty optical elements to enable advanced, high power eye-safe lasers for protection of U.S. soldiers. Eye-safe lasers are vital for both military and commercial applications to avoid the possibility of laser induced blindness from stray laser radiation. For the Army, envisioned eye-safe lasers in the 1.5 micron wavelength range may be used to destroy and/or disable enemy IED’s, mortars and other threats before they are able to cause harm, while simultaneously avoiding the possibility of blinding either soldiers and civilians from stray laser radiation. DILAS, as a world leader in advanced and proprietary laser packaging technology will develop and implement 1.5 micron fiber coupled diode laser devices, initially in the multiple hundred watt power levels, ultimately scaling to multiple kilowatt systems. This program is expected to save the U.S. Army millions of dollars due to current complexity related delays in high power eye-safe laser efforts.

Optically Pumped Atomic Laser (OPAL) - Spectra-Physics - $4,000,000
To complete the development and manufacture of required light sources used in wafer inspection tools for defense manufacturing applications that started during fiscal year 2006 with funding provided by the Congress. Microelectronics constitutes one of the most critical force multiplier available to the U.S. warfighter in the field. U.S. defense microelectronics manufacturing has always relied upon U.S. manufacture inspection technologies to provide the basis for low cost inspection and manufacturing for their production.

Gas Engine Driven Air Conditioning (GEDAC) Demonstration - Southwest Gas - $4,000,000
Funding would be used to continue the stringent 10-ton GEDAC field tests at four military installations. Additionally, a portion of the funds would be used to develop and demonstrate the new 15-ton GEDAC system, which has widespread applicability on military installations. The demonstration of the 10-ton GEDAC and development and subsequent demonstration of the 15-ton GEDAC system will help address greenhouse gas reductions as well as meet the need for long term efficiency gains on military installations where electricity and electric peak demands are critical.

Cutting Tools and Materials for Aerospace - Advanced Ceramics - $6,500,000
Aerospace materials including composites and high strength alloys are now commonplace. These materials offer weight, strength, and stiffness benefits but often create manufacturing difficulties. Future material developments such as advanced ceramic structures, water soluble tooling, and nano technology represent the next productivity breakthrough for both machining and producing today’s aerospace materials. Successful completion of the program will result in revolutionary enhancements for machining and producing aerospace composites and materials resulting in a net savings.

National High-Energy Hypervelocity Electromagnetic Railgun Test Range & Evaluation Center - Yuma Proving Grounds - $9,500,000
Development of a “National” High-Energy Electromagnetic Railgun Test Range and Evaluation Center to provide revolutionary new capabilities for the Army, Navy, and all of DoD and NASA. The Center will be run jointly by Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) and the University of Texas Institute for Advanced Technology (IAT). There is a critical need to establish a National High-Energy Hypervelocity Electromagnetic Railgun Test Range and Evaluation Center to demonstrate and validate recent scientific and technical breakthroughs in the development of EM launch technology and provide full scale testing for hypervelocity electromagnetic railguns and novel kinetic energy projectiles for DoD direct fire, non-line of sight and space launch applications, demonstrating revolutionary new electromagnetic launch capabilities.

Barry M. Goldwater Range Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) upgrades - Luke AFB/BMGR - $9,900,000
The Barry M. Goldwater Range has a series of identified, unfunded requirements to enhance training capability at the Range which supports all US Air Force (and some international) F-16 advanced fighter training. The uprgrades to the MOUT range will sustain the BMGR's relevance and superiority in preparing F-16 aircrews to prosecure the Global War on Terror.

Virtual Convoy Operations Trainer (VCOT) - Arizona Army National Guard - $25,000,000
During FY09 the Army National Guard will begin fielding the Virtual Convoy Operations Trainer (VCOT) which is an upgraded version of the previous HMMWV and Tactical Truck Convoy Trainer. VCOT fielding is the Army National Guard’s # 1 priority for convoy training procurement. The VCOT has been enhanced to allow convoy soldiers to leave their vehicles and conduct independent dismounted operations which will greatly assist in training the identification and disposition of IEDs on the battlefield.

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT

Canoa Ranch, Pima County, Arizona, Section 206 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration - Pima County - $250,000
Identify Canoa Ranch as a priority project under Section 206 Continuing Authority Program for aquatic ecosystem restoration of the Canoa Spring site recreating 27.5 acres of wetland and aquatic habitat.

Bill Williams River – Alamo Dam, AZ - The Nature Conservancy in Arizona - $250,000
To evaluate the efficacy of dam re-operation and implement an adaptive management strategy.

Santa Cruz River: Grant to Fort Lowell (El Medio), Pima County, Arizona - Pima County - $290,000
For completion of the feasibility study for El Medio Environmental Restoration project for the Santa Cruz River from Grant to Prince Road to provide riparian habitat restoration, groundwater recharge and recreation.

Sweet Sorghum Alternative Fuel and Feed Pilot Project - University of Arizona - $750,000
A UA partnership with Pinal Energy, this pilot project will grow and process sweet sorghum for conversion into fuel at Arizona's only ethanol plant currently operating using corn.

Paseo de las Iglesias Flood Control Restoration Project, Pima County, Arizona - Pima County - $1,000,000
To begin preliminary engineering and design (PED) for Paseo de las Inglesias, which was authorized for construction by Congress in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007, for environmental restoration and erosion control along the Santa Cruz River.

Yuma Wetlands Restoration - The City of Yuma - $1,500,000
To support the continuation of dredging, and natural channel stabilization, and to continue implementation of the Yuma East and West Wetlands Restoration Plans.

San Luis (AZ) Water Project - City of San Luis, AZ - $3,000,000
The San Luis East Mesa Water and Waste Water Project is part of a $6 mllion effort that will unify water and waste water systems in the City of San Luis. One of the systems is under-utilized, while the other is nearing full capacity.

Master Drainage Plan for The Pascua Yaqui Tribe - The Pascua Yaqui Tribe - $3,300,000
For the planning and implementation of the Drainage Master Plan on the Pascua Yaqui Tribal lands located near Tucson, Arizona.

The City of Tolleson Flood Control Project - City of Tolleson - $4,000,000
This request is for the funding in support of engineering, design, construction and construction management for a storm drain and retention basin system to alleviate flooding in the downtown area of the City of Tolleson, AZ.

Agua Fria Riparian Restoration Project - The City of Avondale, Arizona - $5,000,000
Restore riparian habitat in portions of the Agua Fria River, within the City of Avondale, Arizona. The Agua Fria River, at its confluence with the Gila River, is within the Pacific Flyway and provides resting, foraging and nesting habitat for a variety of migratory and non-migratory birds. Arizona is continuing to experience a significant loss of riparian habitat. The Agua Fria River is one of three primary river corridors in the Phoenix area that have been subjected to significant development pressures.

Nogales Wash Flood Control Project-Nogales Arizona - Santa Cruz County Flood Control District - $9,500,000
This is a critical flood control project that is under construction to promote flood damage reduction and recreation. Construction is partially complete and it will be more costly if the project in not continued this year. The project will result in removal of the 100-year Floodplain status for the Chula Vista and Pete Kitchen subdivisions.

Nogales Wash Channel Repair - City of Nogales - $10,000,000
The funding would be used to repair the damaged stretch of the Nogales Wash Channel to protect the residents and environment of southern Arizona from future flooding and a potential public health crisis.

Avenue B&C Colonia Sewer Improvement Project - Yuma County - $11,500,000
Project is to protect the environment and public health in eliminating individual septic systems and cesspools within a Colonia by constructing a collection and conveyance system for connection to the nearest municipal wastewater treatment facility.

Tucson Drainage Area (Arroyo Chico), Pima County, Arizona - Pima County - $21,844,000
Funding will allow the Corps to finish flood control improvements vital for the protection of the Tucson urban core including neighborhoods along the Tucson Arroyo and Arroyo Chico Wash and the downtown business district.

Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project (Pima Canal/Lateral Segment) - Gila River Indian Community - $24,400,000
The Pima Maricopa Irrigation Project is a Bureau of Reclamation approved project to plan, design and construct a critical central water delivery and distribution system for Gila River Indian Community.

FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT

Nogales West (Mariposa) Reconfiguration Proejct - Greater Nogales and Santa Cruz County Port Authority - $174,000,000
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has determined that the Reconfiguration of the Nogales West Port of Entry (commonly referred to as "Mariposa") is a project of national priority. Mariposa, completed in the late 70s, is operating at 4 times its intended capacity. With over 1,500 trucks and over 1.1 million cars per day, it is Arizona's & CANAMEX's principal gateway for international trade & commerce.

To that end, the US General Services Administration has undertaken a two-phase approach to the project. Phase I is the Design Phase which was funded in the FY 2007 for $13.7 million, and the Construction Phase at an estimated cost of $174 million which I had hoped would be funded in FY 2009. Unfortunately, the Federal Buildings Fund portion of the President's Budget request to Congress did not include the funding for Mariposa. The lack of inclusion in the President's budget threatens the project and threatens Arizona.

The original project timelines, as provided by GSA, are that the Design Phase would be concluded in May 2009 and that the Construction Phase would commence in June 2009, to be completed in May-June 2012. The Design Phase is well underway and includes the selection of an architectural firm and the Environmental Assessment (the draft already submitted for public comment) which will be completed approximately within the next two months. GSA is also currently negotiating with the Arizona Department of Transportation for the acquisition of additional land necessary for the expansion of the project.

If the Construction Phase of Mariposa is not funded in FY 2009 the repercussions are numerous: GSA would have to resubmit the project for consideration in FY 2010 with the necessary cost adjustments that can range well over 10% (an additional $17 million); Delays the project completion date by at least 12 months; Trucks left waiting overnight due to insufficient inspection throughput, trucks that are thus forced to sit idle in excess of 12 hours waiting for the port to open, keeping in mind that idle cargo is cargo at risk of infiltration; Growing delays for those legally crossing the border (recent reports demonstrate waits exceeding two (2) hours); and further hindrance to the physical security and economic growth of the region.

Mariposa is Arizona's principal gateway for international trade, with well over $2 billion of fresh produce, over $20 billion in maquila products, over 290,000 trucks, 1.1 million cars, and over 425,000 pedestrians in a facility that was never intended to cross pedestrians. Built over 30 years ago, Mariposa reached its intended design capacity of 400 trucks per day in the mid 1980s. The situation cannot continue. In fact, CBP officials in the Tucson sector have stressed to us the need to not only ensure that Mariposa continues as planned but that the situation is so difficult at Mariposa that they would like to see the project completed by 2011.

National Student/Parent Mock Election - National Student/Parent Mock Election - $275,000
The National Student/Parent Mock Election is the nation's oldest, largest and most successful voter education project. More states consistently partner with the NSPME (2008 National Association of Secretaries of State New Millennium Report). Since 1980, almost 50 million students in all 50 states, Washington, DC and American schools around the world have participated.


STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, AND RELATED AGENCIES

Children’s Rehabilitation Center Medical Equipment Improvements (Mexico) - Teleton Mexamerica - $515,000
The project will provide advanced medical equipment for Teleton Mexamerica's Children's Rehabilitation Center to improve the treatment of disabled children in Mexico. Teleton Mexamerica (or Teletón) is a U.S. non-profit organization founded in 2002 to generate support among the U.S. Hispanic population for programs that help disabled children in Mexico.

National Folic Acid Public Awareness Campaign in Mexico Targeted to Pregnant Mothers for the Prevent - Teleton Mexamerica - $1,000,000
The project will assist Teleton's national folic acid public awareness campaign to increase much-needed folic acid treatments among pregnant Mexican women and prevent birth defects. Teleton Mexamerica (or Teletón) is a U.S. non-profit organization founded in 2002 to generate support among the U.S. Hispanic population for programs that help disabled children in Mexico.


HOMELAND SECURITY

Tohono O'odham Nation Homeland/Border Security - Tohono O'odham - $2,000,000
The Nation would utilize any and all funding received to address border security issues and provide better protection for our homeland, where more than 1500 undocumented immigrants and drug traffickers cross the border into the Nation's lands daily.

Vigilant Eagle Airport Protection System - Raytheon Missile Systems - $10,000,000
Funding is needed in FY09 to demonstrate a ground-based protection system to defend against the threat of man-portable air defense missiles (MANPADS). Additional funding in FY09 would support a system demonstration program to continue the evaluation of this promising technology.

Central Arizona Regional Firefighting Academy - Central Arizona College - $449,980
The college is seeking support for the purchase and installation of a burn building – the anchor facility for a proposed Regional Firefighting Training Academy that will provide training for firefighting and other public safety personnel.

INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES

Environmental Education Center at the Tucson Mountain District - Friends of Saguaro National Park - $100,000
Funding to support the development of an Environmental Education Center at the Tucson Mountain District. Current environmental education facilities at the Park’s Red Hills Visitor Center at the (west) Tucson Mountain District are inadequate; the Park proposes to convert an existing structure (an under-utilized residence) into an environmental education center and office space. The Friends of Saguaro National Park is the not-for-profit fundraising partner of the National Park Service at Tucson's Saguaro National Park.

FireScape: Fire and Landscape Management - University of Arizona - $500,000
In partnership with the US Forest Service, FireScape will develop and implement a replicable pilot project for forest management related to drought, climate change, catastrophic fires, invasive species, and changing patterns of land use.

Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area - The City of Yuma - $800,000
The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area will preserve and tell the long and fascinating story of the Colorado River and the Yuma Crossing and its importance to the development of the Western United States.

Buckskin Sanitary District, Wastewater Facilities Improvements - Buckskin Sanitary District - $890,000
Provide wastewater collection and treatment facilities for the un-sewered portions of the Buckskin Sanitary District. On-site disposal is currently provided and the zoned densities are too high to provide adequately for the long term treatment of sewage and protection of the surface waters in the Colorado River. The Buckskin Sanitary District is a governmental entity separate from the Town of Parker and La Paz County. The District’s sole purpose is to collect, treat, and dispose of wastewater and its byproducts within the District boundaries located along the Parker Strip on the Colorado River.

US-Mexico Binational Center for Environmental Science and Toxicology - University of Arizona - $1,000,000
To continue specialized training through workshops for Mexican & U.S. researchers on common environmental problems.

Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program - University of Arizona - $5,000,000
This program will develop a scientific approach to identification and assessment of aquifers, and the development of study plans and outreach.

Phoenix Indian Medical Center South East Ambulatory Care Center - Gila River Indian Community - $5,500,000
For design completion and pre-construction costs for the Phoenix Indian Medical Center, South East Ambulatory Care Center located at Gila River Indian Community.

Water Resources Research Act - University of Arizona - $8,775,000
The water resources research institutes provide vital support to landowners, states and federal agencies for long-term water planning, policy development, and resource management.


LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES

Ajo Oral Health Access Project - Ajo Community Health Center - $175,000
The project will expand local dental services through renovation of existing ACHC-owned building into dental facility with 6 exam rooms, doubling current amount of space. This will double ACHC dental capacity for number of patients services/visits provided. Ajo Community Health Center is a community-owned and -governed health care resource, licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services to provide medical, dental, and behavioral health services.

NORC Aging in Place demonstration project - Jewish Family and Children's Service - $225,000
This project emerged as a response to the graying of our community, the daunting task our service providers have to keep pace with increasing demands for senior services, and the need for innovative and response models of service to respond to the foreseeable trends in Aging. Jewish Family & Children’s Service is a non-profit agency dedicated to providing social and educational services to people of all ages, religions and ethnic origins in Southern Arizona.

National Student/Parent Mock Election - National Student/Parent Mock Election - $275,000
The National Student/Parent Mock Election is the nation's oldest, largest and most successful voter education project. More states consistently partner with the NSPME (2008 National Association of Secretaries of State New Millennium Report). Since 1980, almost 50 million students in all 50 states, Washington, DC and American schools around the world have participated.

Steps to Success: Supporting Students Prepare for an ADN of Nursing - JobPath - $303,930
The purpose of the proposed program is to increase nursing education opportunities through the provision of pre-entry preparation services to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities underrepresented among registered nurses. The proposed program will provide support to 30 disadvantaged and minority students preparing for Pima Community College’s Registered Nursing Program (RN). JobPath is a workforce development agency that provides retention support to low income individuals enrolled in education and training programs in high-demand occupations.

Farmworker Job Training Outreach Project - PPEP, Inc. - $350,000
To meet the needs of our farmworker population in Arizona, this project will educate farmworkers about the benefits of education and training through a pubilc outreach campaing using Spanish-language media. PPEP is a non-profit organization serving the farmworkers and other low income residents of Arizona since 1967.

H. Eugene Jones Center for School Improvement through Arts Integration - H. Eugene Jones Center Founding Committee - $400,000
The Jones Center will be a national center for school districts, educators, universities, arts orgs, artists, and state/federal agencies to develop arts integration models, train educators and artists and to conduct research to evaluate impact on children. The Jones Center will be an Arizona tax exempt corporation and a federal 501(c)3 organization, created as an extension of the existing OMA Foundation.

The Disabled Veterans Reintegration and Education Project - University of Arizona - $500,000
Based at the world-class Disability Resource Center at the UA, this project develops a comprehensive two-year pilot program for a group of 25 returning disabled veterans, using research-based outcomes that can be applied to other institutions.

Dropout Prevention and School-to-Career Transition Project - Jobs for Arizona's Graduates - $500,000
To expand dropout prevention and school-to-career transition programs to an additional 560 of Arizona's most at-risk students, with a particular focus on middle school students. Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates is a non-profit organization bringing together leaders from government, business, education, community and labor to provide solutions to the problems of high dropout rates, low graduation rates and the unemployment and underemployment needs of the youth in our communities.

Yuma County Human Development Center - Southern Arizona Border Organizing Response (SABOR) - $500,000
The Yuma County Human Development Center will provide innovative and systematic opportunities for adults to acquire fundamental skills and knowledge to enrich themselves, their families, their workplace and their community. SABOR is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization launched in 2007 to respond to growing