Senate Interior Appropriations For Az

U.S. Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) announced today that the Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved the 2007 Interior, Environment, & Related Agencies Appropriations bill containing important funding for forest health, water infrastructure & land acquisition projects in Arizona. The Committee approved the bill last Thursday.

“With fire season in full swing, this new funding for the Ecological Restoration Institute can really help provide more forest health management in Arizona.” Kyl said.

Kyl has worked closely with county & city officials to identify these high-priority projects & requested the funding on behalf of the communities.

These projects include:

Ecological Restoration Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff -- $2.7 million
The Committee approved $2.7 million for the Ecological Restoration Institute in Flagstaff, which works to develop, translate, & transfer science to the Forest Service & other land managers to develop landscape scale forest restoration treatments.

Forest Fuel Reduction Projects, Tonto National Forest -- $2.3 million
The Committee approved $2.3 million for the Payson & Verde thinning projects. These forest thinning projects were identified as priority acres in the Rim Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan & will effectively reduce the risk of wildfire to 17 communities in Gila County.

Wastewater Expansion Project, Bullhead City -- $1 million
The Committee approved $1 million for Bullhead City to expand its wastewater treatment plant to meet federal water quality standards.

Yuma Crossings National Heritage Area, Yuma -- $350,000
The Committee approved $350,000 for implementation of the Heritage Area General Management Plan which includes projects to conserve & enhance Yuma’s natural, cultural, & historic resources.

Cedar Springs Forest Legacy Project, Coconino National Forest -- $880,000
The Committee approved $880,000 for Arizona’s 1st Forest Legacy acquisition, Cedar Springs, located in the Coconino National Forest. Cedar Springs is a riparian forest significant for maintaining habitat & migration corridors.