From the Office of Utah Congressman Jim Matheson

MATHESON NEWS
Second Congressional District

For Further Information
Alyson Heyrend: (801) 455-5593 (cell)
www.house.gov/matheson

July 20, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matheson Applauds WRDA Passage in Senate

Utah Projects Will Now Advance

Washington D.C.-Congressman Jim Matheson said that Wednesday's passage of the Water Resources Development Act in the Senate-S 728-- moves funding for important  water planning and infrastructure in several Utah counties nearly to the finish line.  The House passed its version-HR 2864-last summer.

Matheson-a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee-included more than $10 million in the bill for critical projects in Grand, Washington,  Iron, Duchesne and Uintah counties.

"Nothing is more vital to rural economies than being able to deliver clean, safe, adequate water supplies," said Matheson.  This funding will help local officials in several Utah communities make long-awaited improvements in water infrastructure projects that protect human health and the environment."

Matheson said $10.8 million is included for "rural water infrastructure" for Iron, Uintah and Duchesne Counties.  He said WRDA prioritizes water project funding, making it highly likely that the counties will be helped in 2007.  He said WRDA authorizes an aquifer study for Grand County that will, among other things, help determine the extent of contamination from the Atlas tailings site.  Preliminary studies indicate the contamination has migrated under the river towards the town of Moab.  Finally, WRDA authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to study how it can reduce future flood damage along the Santa Clara River in Southwestern Utah.

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Alyson Heyrend
Communications Director
240 East Morris Ave. #235
South Salt Lake, UT 84115
(801) 486-1236 (phone)
(801) 455-5593 (cell)
(801) 486-1417 (fax)