Maine Democratic Party

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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree secures funding forenvironmental projects in Maine
$5.75million for Maine projects includes $3 million for land preservation in YorkCounty and $1.25 million for Portland wastewater system

October 28, 2009
For immediate release
Contact: Willy Ritch 207-841-8400

The final version of the bill funding the Department of the Interior and theEnvironmental Protection Agency has come before the U.S. House of Representativesand includes $5.75 million for Maine environmental projects requested byCongresswoman Chellie Pingree.

Since the projects are included in the conference report for the bill, theywill automatically be included when the final version of the bill is voted on. The bill is expected to pass the House this week and the Senate nextweek, and be signed by the President shortly after.

The bill includes $3 million in funding for the Rachel Carson National WildlifeRefuge, which will be matched by $3 million in private funds to purchase the110 acre Timber Point in Biddeford and Kennebunkport. The land includes2.25 miles of coastline.

"Timber Point is a pristine piece of land with unique environmental value,"Pingree said. "This funding will make sure it's protected and preserved."

Pingree worked to get $500,000 in funding to combat milfoil in the Sebago Lakearea in the bill. The funding will support research, mitigation anderadication of the invasive species in Little Sebago Lake and six other lakes,serving as a test bed for the development of milfoil action plans for otherlakes across the state.

Congressman Norman Dicks, Chairman of the House Interior and EnvironmentSubcommittee, praised Pingree for her work on the funding. "CongresswomanPingree worked hard to secure this important funding to combat the invasivemilfoil infestation in Maine," Dicks said. "I appreciate her dedicationto supporting this important initiative."

Also included in the bill is $1.25 million to help finance the separation ofcombined sewer overflows in the Portland wastewater treatment system. Currently heavy rain can overload the city's waste water system and causeraw sewage to flow into Casco Bay.

"Providing federal funding for the necessary improvements to the Portland sewersystem serves two purposes," Pingree said. "It helps protect the waters ofCasco Bay and helps stabilize local sewer rates and property taxes."

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