King Secures $5 million for Jones Inlet

July 12, 2007

For Immediate Release                                           
Contact Carol Danko         
202-225-7896

WASHINGTON – Today the Appropriations Committee announced that Rep. Peter King’s $5 million funding request for the dredging of Jones Inlet has been granted. This award exceeds the $4.1 million that King secured last year for FY 2007, which passed in the House but was blocked by the Senate. This announcement also comes in time to complement the State’s announcement to support the project.

“In a matter of days, we went from no funding to full funding with the combination of federal and state contributions,” said King.  “This has been a great week for the people of Point Lookout. Their prayers have finally been answered.”

King has been fighting at all levels to secure funds for Jones Inlet, working with House appropriators, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the State of New York. This week, his efforts paid off in all regards. The federal contribution will pay its share of funds; however, until federal money is officially released, the State’s money will allow dredging to begin sooner than anticipated.

“After years of fighting for this project, I delighted that funding has finally been awarded,” said King. “Jones Inlet was too dangerous to wait any longer.”

In addition to King’s $5 million, the Senate has also secured $3 million for Jones Inlet for FY 2008. The final amount will be determined in a conference between the House and the Senate.

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