PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

THE STREAM RESTORATION OF NINE MILE RUN IN FRICK PARK IS THREATENED!
by noel Friday, Jul. 16, 2004 at 3:49 PM
ndh@andrew.cmu.edu

FUNDING OF THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS’ DOMESTIC PROJECTS HAS BEEN SLASHED. INCLUDING THE NINE MILE RUN STREAM RESTORATION. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GET FULL FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THIS CRITICAL PROJECT REINSTATED!

FUNDING OF THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS’ DOMESTIC PROJECTS HAS BEEN SLASHED. INCLUDING THE NINE MILE RUN STREAM RESTORATION.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GET FULL FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THIS CRITICAL PROJECT REINSTATED!

BACKGROUND

Federal funding for the NMR restoration was cut this year from an expected $1.6 million to only $330,000. This means that the contractor, Meadville Land Services, must pull all their workers and equipment out of the work site in a matter of weeks.

Although they are doing their best to leave the site as stable as possible by seeding the area with native plants, they are still a long way from finishing the restoration. The Army Corps of Engineers, who are supervising the implementation of the project, are expecting that funding will be cut next year as well, seriously jeopardizing the completion of the restoration.

If the restoration is left incomplete our stream will continue to suffer from serious stream bank erosion and degraded habitat for fish and other wildlife, and will remain inhospitable for human recreation.

Even if the restoration proceeds, but at a much slower rate due to continued funding shortfalls, the stream and park may in fact be in worse condition—sediment will enter the stream during multiple summers of construction, invasive species will colonize the banks in between construction seasons, and park access will be limited. Not to mention the additional unnecessary cost of remobilizing construction crews each summer, reducing the amount of money available for direct restoration work.

Both SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER and CONGRESSMAN MIKE DOYLE were early supporters of the initiative.

Take action now. Phone, fax, or email these elected officials.
Tell them that completion of the stream restoration project is essential!
Urge them to ensure that full funding for the project will actually be reinstated in the next fiscal year!

Use these facts:
Total cost of the Nine Mile Run Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration project is $7.7 million.
The $2.7 million local match was met by the City of Pittsburgh over 2 years ago!
Of the remaining $5 million expected from the federal government, $3.4 million is still needed to finish the work.

Contact info:

Senator Arlen Specter
Tel: 202-224-4254
Fax: 202-228-1229
Email: arlen_specter@specter.senate.gov

Congressman Mike Doyle
225 Ross St. Fifth Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Tel: 412-261-5091
Fax: 412-261-1983
Email: rep.doyle@mail.house.gov

For more information, contact the Nine Mile Run Watershed Association at 412- 371-8779 or visit our website http://www.ninemilerun.org

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