|
U.S.
Senator Ken Salazar
Member of the Agriculture, Energy and Veterans Affairs
Committees
2300 15th
Street, Suite 450 Denver, CO
80202 | 702 Hart Senate Building, Washington, D.C.
20510
|
For Immediate
Release
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
|
CONTACT:Stephanie Valencia – 202-228-3630
Cody Wertz 303-350-0032
|
Sen.
Salazar Secures Funding for Key Priorities in the Pikes Peak Region;
Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passes in Senate
WASHINGTON,
D.C. – Tonight, by a vote of 76 to 17 the United States Senate
passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008. United States Senator
Ken Salazar announced that he secured funding for key priorities in
the Pikes Peak region in the bill. The funding Senator Salazar secured
improves transportation infrastructure, provides funds for local law
enforcement, supports our military and veterans and increases access
to health care.
“I am proud that
this bill helps meet the needs of Colorado’s communities,” said
Senator Salazar. “These investments are vital to the Pikes Peak
region, including our service members and their families.”
Below is a list of key projects
that Senator Salazar included in the bill for the Pikes Peak region:
- $470 million
for Military Construction at Fort Carson: Senator Salazar
fought to include $470 million in military construction funds for
Fort Carson to accommodate the arrival of an additional 12,000 active
duty and 18,360 active duty family members that are currently moving
to Fort Carson.
- $2,214,800 to
the Colorado Department of Transportation for an interchange at Fort
Carson’s Gate 20: As a result of a May 2005 recommendation
of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission, Fort Carson
is anticipated to see an increase of over 12,000 new personnel between
now and 2009. This funding would accelerate the completion of an interchange
reconstruction project at I-25 and State Highway 16. This will reduce
delays for service members and civilians entering the base through
Gate 20.
- $147,000 for
the Fountain Creek Watershed Study: The ACOE began the Fountain
Creek Watershed Study in 2003 to guide the development of a watershed
plan, improvements to infrastructure, restoration of habitat, and
construction of flood mitigation projects. Problems on Fountain Creek,
including sewage spills and naturally occurring floods, have recently
provoked regional conflict and have increased the urgency for completing
the study. The Fountain Creek Watershed Study directly affects and
involves Teller, Pueblo and El Paso Counties, and eight municipalities
within those counties. Participating local entities have already contributed
close to $1.5 million in non-federal matching funds. The funding Senator
Salazar secured will complete the study.
- Mileage Reimbursement
for Veterans:
The omnibus includes $125 million in funding that Senators Tester
and Salazar added as an amendment to the Military Construction and
Veterans Administration appropriations bill to support a long-overdue
mileage reimbursement increase for veterans to 28.5 cents per mile.
Currently, veterans living in rural areas who travel long distances
to receive medical care are only reimbursed at 11 cents per mile.
The Consolidated Appropriations
Act of 2008 will be sent back to the House of Representatives for final
passage. It is expected to be sent to the President’s desk by the end
of the week.
###
|