WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the fiscal year 2009 Energy and Water Development spending bill provides more than $59.1 million for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects in Maryland, including $1.9 million for Western Maryland priorities. The bill, which has passed the full Appropriations Committee, will now go to the Senate floor for a vote, which has not yet been scheduled.

“This bill is a federal investment in the lives and livelihoods that depend on the waterways of Maryland. This funding will help preserve the history of the C&O Canal, as well as improve the quality of Western Maryland waterways,” said Senator Mikulski. “I will continue to fight to keep Western Maryland a priority in the federal checkbook."

The spending bill includes funding for the following U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects in Western Maryland:

• $1.7 million for the operation and maintenance of Jennings Randolph Lake in Garrett County.

• $200,000 for the C&O Canal rewatering project in downtown Cumberland. The project is rebuilding, rewatering and preserving 1.2 miles of the historic C&O Canal terminus.

Senator Mikulski also successfully secured $85 million in this year’s spending bill for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), $20 million above President Bush’s request. The ARC is a federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life.