|
H E A D L I N E S
* Algal Blooms in the Great Lakes * Appropriations Update * >From Brownfields to Housing * Combined Sewer Overflows
ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE GREAT LAKES ------------------------------- The Senate Great Lakes Task Force successfully amended the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Amendments Act (S. 247) in order to address problems in the Great Lakes. This Senate-approved bill directs the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia to complete and submit to Congress scientific assessments of: (1) Great Lakes harmful algal blooms; and (2) hypoxia in U.S. coastal waters, including the Great Lakes.
Contact: Joy Mulinex at the Great Lakes Task Forces (202/224-1211).
APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE --------------------- The Northeast-Midwest Institute web site offers updates on congressional appropriations that are important to the region. To date, only three of the 13 appropriation bills -- Defense, Homeland Security, and Legislative Branch -- have been enacted. The Interior bill was conferenced last week, and the nine other appropriation measures await House-Senate negotiations. Congress last week approved a third continuing resolution in order to keep the federal government operating through November 7.
FROM BROWNFIELDS TO HOUSING --------------------------- The Northeast-Midwest Institute has released a new report on converting brownfields to housing. Brownfield redevelopment -- the cleanup and reuse of abandoned properties with real or suspected contamination -- offers communities a range of housing opportunities. At the federal level, more flexibility in awarding Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance for residential brownfield redevelopment would remove a significant barrier to housing construction on remediated sites.
Click here to go to the report, written by Danielle Schopp.
COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOWS ------------------------
Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Carl Levin (D-MI) plan to offer an amendment to the VA-HUD Appropriations Bill that would expand funding opportunities for projects that correct combined-sewer-overflow problems. The amendment would expand the authorization of the Wet Weather Water Quality Act to fiscal 2004 and 2005.
Contact: Ginny Worrest with Senator Snowe (202/224-5344).
|