Just in from Congressman Tierney's office ...

Washington, D.C.– Today, immediately following the U.S. House of Representatives approval of the final version of H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Congressman John F. Tierney (D-MA) sent the below letter to Lieutenant General Robert L. Van Antwerp, the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:

February 13, 2009

Lieutenant General Robert L. Van Antwerp
Commanding General
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Executive Office
441 G. Street, NW
Washington, DC 20314-1000

Dear General Van Antwerp:

As you know, H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, appears to be advancing toward final passage in the U.S. Senate and could be signed into law by President Obama in the next few days. As such, I write to respectfully request that, as you consider how to allocate the funds in H.R. 1 specified for the Corps, you give priority to the following projects located in the district that I represent.

The communities of Newbury and Newburyport are legitimately concerned about continued erosion and the potential loss of waterfront property. I share those concerns and, for the past several years, I have been fighting to see that the necessary action is taken. I have worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’s New England District and local officials to request and secure the necessary appropriations to dredge the Newburyport Entrance Channel, begin the process of repairing the South Jetty and conduct a Section 204 study on replenishing the beach with the proceeds from the dredging, a draft of which was released last week. Some progress has been made, as a portion of funds has been secured and the expectation is that further funds will be specified for such projects once Congress completes the Fiscal Year 2009 appropriations process.

Additionally, I wanted to draw your attention to two other important projects, for which I have advocated throughout my time in Congress. The city of Peabody has endured four major flooding events in the past ten years. The city is seeking to advance its effort to reduce flood damage along the section of the North River that has negatively impacted residential neighborhoods and Peabody Square, a densely populated area that includes a number of small businesses.

The town of Salisbury is attempting to mitigate flood damage to a residential area adjacent to the Blackwater River, parts of which reportedly flood as often as one or two times a month.

It is my understanding that the foregoing projects will be eligible to receive funding under H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Your assistance is sought and additional funds are necessary to ensure that work on these projects can begin as soon as practicable. My staff and I will be contacting your office regularly to follow-up on these matters, and I appreciate your attention to them.

Sincerely,
John F. Tierney
Member of Congress