CONGRESSWOMAN MARY BONO MACK PROUDLY SERVING CALIFORNIA'S 45TH DISTRICT

Washington, Nov 18, 2005 - Congresswoman Mary Bono (CA-45) is pleased to announce the passage today of the Conference Report for a comprehensive Fiscal Year 2006 appropriations package including Transportation and Housing and Urban Development funds. The final appropriation bill includes funding for several local projects fought for by Bono.

"This package provides crucial funding for several projects of great importance to the safety and growth of our community," said Congresswoman Bono. "In a tight fiscal year, it has been a fight to get funding for deserving projects. I believe in the tremendous value of each of these projects and look forward to the positive impact they will have in the region," added Bono.

Funding includes the following:

Transportation

Funds will be used to begin work on a new airport control tower for Palm Springs International Airport (PSP). The amount will fund the first phase of a multi-year project to construct a new control tower at PSP aimed at improving the safety conditions and accommodate future growth at the facility.

• $750,000 for Agua Caliente Cultural Museum Road Improvements (Palm Spring, CA)

The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, an independent 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization, is building a new cultural center in downtown Palm Springs. The Museum will be constructed on eight acres of land leased from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahulla Indians, along Tahquitz Drive. The Museum is not formally affiliated with the tribal organization.

• $700,000 for State Road 79 Realignment (Riverside County, CA)

In conjunction with Congressman Jerry Lewis (CA-41), funds were secured to work as part of a larger plan to link Interstate 10 and Interstate 15 by providing a continuous alignment for SR 79 through the San Jacinto Valley. By linking these two interstate highways and thereby connecting the Coachella Valley of Riverside County to the San Diego Metropolitan area, this project works to greatly relieve the congestion in the region.

• $600,000 for Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Bus Project (Palm Springs, CA)

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is one of the Coachella Valley's top tourist attractions. However, due to the safety concerns with motorists traveling up an unsafe road, the Tramway intends to have visitors park at the bottom of the site and then transport them up to the boarding area of the tram. In addition, the funds will help satisfy special conditions set forth by the Department of Army Corps of Engineers which state the Tramway will prepare a transportation plan that reduces traffic impacts from the Tramway road on Peninsular Bighorn Sheep.

Housing and Urban Development

• $175,000 for Agua Caliente Cultural Museum construction (Palm Springs, CA)
  
  The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, an independent 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization, is building a new cultural center in downtown Palm Springs. The Museum will be constructed in eight acres of land leased from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahulla Indians, along Tahquitz Drive.

• $500,000 to the City of Idyllwild (Idyllwild, California)

Funds will be used to build cabins and make improvement to the dining hall at the Ronald McDonald camp. Funds are part of a larger campaign to rise funds to allow the camp to accommodate every child with cancer in the area.

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