Among the earmarks in the federal spending bill President Barack Obama signed Wednesday were about $1.5 million for upgrades to Lynchburg’s sewer system, said Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va.
The Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 appropriates $787,000 for upgrades to Lynchburg’s combined sewer overflow system to comply with the federal Clean Water Act, Webb’s office said in a news release.
In addition, Lynchburg stands to benefit from a $766,000 allocation for the James River Deepwater Turning Basin, Webb’s news release said.
Although the turning basin is in Richmond, the allocation includes funds to study and design the replacement of 39,000 feet of the James River CSO Interceptor and other CSO interceptors and outfalls in Lynchburg, Webb’s office said.
Richmond, like Lynchburg, is under a federal mandate to halt the release of raw sewage into the James River when storms cause sewer lines to overflow.
Del. Shannon Valentine, D-Lynchburg, said the funds represented “more than a year of coordination with Webb’s office.
City Manager Kimball Payne and other city officials “have worked consistently to promote a clear understanding of why CSO is vital for public health and public safety for all Virginians,” Valentine said.
In 2007, Lynchburg received $580,000 in federal funding for the CSO project, and appropriation for Lynchburg in December of 2007. The city also received $1.5 million in state funds for CSO in Virginia’s 2008 budget, Valentine said.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement