Appropriations
Listed below are the project requests that I submitted to the House Appropriations Committee for Fiscal Year 2010 funding. They are listed in alphabetical order following the name of the subcommittee that will review them. As a fiscally-conservative Member of the Blue Dog coalition and a former business owner, I believe Congress must spend with the utmost care. In selecting funding projects for our region I was extremely selective, submitting fewer than half of the requests that were sent to my office. I believe it is part of my job to bring the hard-earned tax dollars of Southern Arizonans home to our communities in meaningful ways.
Congress has cut the overall funding level for FY 2010 projects as it did last year for FY 2008 and FY 2009. A majority of my requests will not be approved due to this drastic reduction, but I believe they deserve strong consideration by my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee. Also note that while the Appropriations process begins early in the year, the vast majority of bills will not be considered by Congress until the end of the calendar year. Therefore, we may not find out which requests are awarded federal funding until the end of the year. Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Scientific support for the Upper San Pedro Partnership by the USDA-ARS-SWRC – Upper San Pedro Partnership, 401 Giulio Cesare, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 - $650,000, Agricultural Research Service: This funding is requested for the Upper San Pedro Partnership's ongoing participation in the USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Southwest Watershed Research Center. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because achieving sustainable yield of the regional aquifer is essential to ensure the long-term viability of the City of Sierra Vista, the U.S. Army’s Fort Huachuca and the San Pedro River itself, which is one of the most diverse ecosystems in North America. The Upper San Pedro Partnership was formed as a public-private initiative to protect the river. This project will support research, hydrologic modeling and monitoring, specialized field experimental campaigns, basin characterization and associated reporting to meet the requirements set forth in Section 321 of P.L. 108-136.
Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
Constitutional Structures of Government Center - University of Arizona College of Law, 1401 East University Boulevard, Tucson, AZ 85721 - $1,000,000, OJP-Byrne Discretionary Grants: The University of Arizona College of Law’s Center on the Constitutional Structures of Government engages high schools and law students, lawyers and federal, state, and regional judges in educational programs on the U.S. justice system, particularly the judiciary. The requested funding is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it provides legal training for judges, lawyers and law students. It will also support development of a state-wide pilot project aimed at engaging and educating high school students. Following a successful first year, the Center will develop a national implementation model, utilizing the Center’s national profile and interactions with Justices at all levels. The Center’s outreach activities also include hosting international judicial exchanges and development and delivery of educational materials. Recent lecturers at the Center have included Chief Justice Roberts, Justices O'Connor and Breyer, the Solicitor General of the United States and former Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff.
Freedom from Domestic Violence Program - South Eastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services (SEABHS), 611 W. Union St., Benson, AZ 85602 - $55,000, Office on Violence Against Women: SEABHS has provided domestic violence advocacy services in Santa Cruz County for 13 years. In 2008, SEABHS served 246 victims and their children. This funding will be used for a domestic violence advocacy program in Santa Cruz County. The program is an important use of taxpayer funds because it will expand comprehensive advocacy services, including education about the short and long term effects of domestic violence, case management, court accompaniment, safety planning, referrals for the victims and their children to community resources, mental health services and employment readiness preparation to a rural, underserved area of Arizona.
Tucson Drug Trafficking Suppression Initiative - City of Tucson, 255 W. Alameda St., Tucson, AZ 85701 - $450,000, COPS Meth: This funding will be used to support efforts of the Tucson Police Department and the Counter Narcotics Alliance (CNA), a coalition of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. It is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it will be used to implement a unique surveillance program to counteract the impacts of the growing Mexican drug trafficking industry in Tucson and the nation. The Tucson Sector is the most porous section of the entire U.S.-Mexico Border. More than 48% of the nation’s drug traffic enters our country through Southern Arizona. Tucson’s experiences with meth are unique to its proximity to the Mexican border where large quantities of meth are produced in “super-labs.” These super labs have become major distributors that move the drugs through communities in Arizona, especially Tucson, and sent out across the country.
Tucson Finger Imaging Upgrade System - City of Tucson, 255 W. Alameda St., Tucson, AZ 85701 - $550,000, COPS Law Enforcement Technology: This funding will allow the Tucson Police Department to purchase the necessary fingerprint identification equipment, such as remote devices and workstations, for the City of Tucson and surrounding counties to connect with Arizona Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AZAFIS). By utilizing AZAFIS, law enforcement officials within Southern Arizona will be better equipped to identify and apprehend criminals, preventing them from committing crimes in Arizona and throughout the country. For example, a police officer will now have the ability to capture a criminal suspects’ fingerprints from a remote device in the field and within minutes, have it compared to the state AFIS.
PCWIN Countywide Public Safety Interoperable Communications System - Pima County Sheriff’s Department, 1750 E. Benson Hwy, Tucson, AZ 85714 - $475,000, COPS Law Enforcement Technology: The Pima County Wireless Integrated Network (PCWIN) project is designed to provide public safety grade communications to all 32 public safety agencies within and throughout Pima County. The system is designed to provide reliable, real-time, interoperable communications. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will be used to purchase radios that will be placed directly into the hands of first responders throughout Pima County and across public safety disciplines.
Police Equipment - Tucson Police Foundation, 3900 E. Timrod St., Suite 7, Tucson, AZ 85711 - $50,000, OJP - Byrne Discretionary Grants: This funding is an important use of taxpayer funds because it will be used to purchase life-saving equipment and technology for the Tucson Police Department that will allow them to do their job better, make them safer, and provide additional safety to our community.
Defense
Advanced Trauma Life Support System (ATLSS) - U.S. Army TRADOC, Language and Technology Office, Building 54322 - AZ Street, Fort Huachuca, Arizona 85613 - $4,000,000, RDT&E, Army: Battlefield trauma continues to be the leading cause of mortality for our servicemembers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. To counter these battlefield deaths, our military medical providers utilize a process called Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS). However, the ATLS process is an all-consuming activity that demands the full and constant attention of the provider, which causes records of battlefield care to rarely reach trauma units and hospitals. A digital Advanced Trauma Life Support System is needed to provide advanced patient monitoring with an integrated electronic medical record system that has been specifically designed from the ground up to support the ATLS process and extend the capabilities of medical providers in any situation. A wireless communication enabled unit, which contains the most modern technology for vital sign monitoring, including heart rate, blood oxygen content, blood pressure, respiration rate and EKG, will provide seamless unit-to-unit patient information. This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it enhances the survivability of wounded warriors on the battlefield.
Air Education & Training Command Range Improvements, Barry M. Goldwater Range - Barry M. Goldwater Range - Luke Air Force Base, 7222 Fighter Country Ave, Luke Air Force Base, AZ 85309 - $4,555,000, O&M, Air Force: The requested funding will enable the Air Force to ensure that the ranges utilized by Davis-Monthan AFB and Luke AFB continue to provide the most realistic training environment for current and future GWOT mission requirements such as precision strike in urban terrain, the ability to defeat moving targets, and evacuation of wounded warriors in contested urban environments. These capabilities will also be essential for support of the future F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and CSAR(X) training missions. Air Education & Training Command (AETC) training ranges have an Unfunded Requirement for enhancements to bring them more in line with the current operational requirements. Specifically, this is an important use of taxpayer funds because Barry M. Goldwater Range has an identified Unfunded Requirement to secure a sensor training area, new instrumented target area, and two ground moving target sets to conduct real world training that mirrors GWOT requirements and Combat Search & Rescue requirements. This funding will provide the necessary infrastructure to ensure our Air Force can train as they fight.
Asymmetric Threat Response and Analysis Project (ATRAP) – University of Arizona, 1401 East University Boulevard, Tucson, AZ 85721 - $5,000,000, RDT&E, Army: The University of Arizona and the U.S. Army Battle Lab-Huachuca’s Asymmetric Threat Response and Analysis Program (ATRAP) is developing advanced analytic and decision assistance techniques and software programs to predict asymmetric threats. This project is an important use of taxpayer funds because it will complete a suite of software tools by maturing ATRAP's multi-agent Course of Action (COA) decision capabilities. These capabilities are based on ingestion of multi-source intelligence reporting, in multiple formats, and integration of the software with emerging intelligence collection management systems. This final phase will ensure military utility with full integration into existing and field-operational Army intelligence systems. ATRAP integrates cultural, political, psychological, economic, and linguistic data to develop meaningful and relevant potential COAs. These aids will enable commanders and staff to explore and predict potential options available to counter asymmetric threats, thereby protecting warfighters and civilian advisors in combat zones. The project's track record is strong and components funded in previous years are already contributing to the fight.
High-Temperature Radar Dome Materials – University of Arizona, 1401 East University Boulevard, Tucson, AZ 85721 - $2,250,000, RDT&E, Navy: Current operational needs and future threats necessitate offensive and defensive missile systems that can attain speeds above Mach 5. No such systems currently exist with radomes able to withstand the aero-thermal heating produced at these high speeds. This results in lost connectivity between the missile and launch platform and an increase in the radar signature of the missile, which allows the target to successfully counter or evade the missile. This project is an important use of taxpayer funds because it will develop materials to solve this problem for the next generation of our country's offensive and defensive missile technologies. Specifically, this program will develop new high temperature materials able to transmit radio frequencies for high-Mach speed missiles and survive the unique aero-thermal environments that the current state of the art radome materials are not capable of withstanding. Further research in this area can also benefit the development of leading edges and engine blisks for next generation aircraft, launch vehicles for satellite operations and heat shields for NASA.
NPOI Prototype New Technology Telescope – University of Arizona, 1401 East University Boulevard, Tucson, AZ 85721 - $4,135,283, RDT&E, Navy: This funding would allow the Naval Research Lab (NRL) to produce the 1.4m Navy Prototype Optical Interferometer (NPOI) telescope and mount assembly. The project includes finishing the final optical surfacing mandrel, procuring the proper materials for the final optics for the telescope, finishing the unique composite telescope mount for the system and installing it at the Navy’s NPOI facility in Flagstaff, AZ. The project completion requires one year of funding with most of the effort focused on composite structures and lightweight mirror fabrication. The increased sensitivity of the NPOI will enable object identification in low earth orbit (LEO), mid earth orbit (MEO) and geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO). Currently, no other ground-based imaging system can achieve this. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will provide the DoD with a flexible, affordable, solution for achieving Space Situational Awareness (SSA) by utilizing new technology that is significantly lighter in weight than conventional telescope systems and significantly less expensive to produce.
Proactive Sensor Monitoring and Alerting (ProSense) - U.S. Army Battle Command Battle Lab–Huachuca, 550 Cibeque Street, Bldg 61730, Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613 - $4,500,000, RDT&E, Army: The current issue within the area of military intelligence (MI) is that an analyst typically responds to a request or directive from the Commander, in the form of a Priority Intelligence Request (PIR), in a reactive manner instead of in a proactive manner. This project address the challenge by designing a system that will provide proactive notifications of intelligence events based upon pre-selected conditions. Events from intelligence sensor data streams will be automatically pushed to intelligence officers. Operationally, this will result in security threats being detected consistently, with counter-measures initiated more quickly and effectively. Human oversights and errors, as well as casualties, will be reduced. Furthermore, the system will free scarce human intelligence resources to work on other problem sets and analyses. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the system will provide the intelligence community with necessary assets to constantly monitor sensor parameters, notify the MI staff when thresholds are exceeded and generate alerts in a variety of fashions. This will greatly enhance the timeliness and quality of intelligence data available to our intelligence community and warfighters on the ground.
Energy and Water Development
Barnett Channel Reconnaissance Study – Town of Marana, 11555 W. Civic Center Drive, Marana, AZ 85653 - $100,000, Army Corps of Engineers, Investigations. The purpose of this project is to study the feasibility of a flood control structure that will protect critical infrastructure in the northern half of the Town of Marana from periodic inundation. The ultimate goal is to provide a dual purpose diversion channel and a linear regional park. This is an important use of taxpayer funds because it is the first step in a project that, when complete, will protect critical existing private and public infrastructure in the NW Marana region from flooding, as well as enhance local recreational opportunities.
Concentrator Photovoltaic Technology – University of Arizona, 1401 East University Boulevard, Tucson, AZ 85721 - $1,000,000, Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Solar Program. The project will continue research and development of new technology to make the cost of utility-scale solar electric power competitive with fossil fuel. The project furthers development of a new type of concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) approach to solar power production. Research was started with a 2008 DOE award and matching funds; funding so far has resulted in demonstration of the new reflector manufacturing technology. This second phase will prove the concept with a fully functioning 15 kW sun-tracker unit, designed for low-cost replication in very large quantities suitable for utility-scale electricity generation. This project is an important use of taxpayer funds because it will further develop technology that offers a new approach to harvesting solar energy at an affordable cost, thereby fostering economic growth, furthering energy independence, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Sierra Vista Subwatershed Augmentation Feasibility Study – Upper San Pedro Partnership, 401 Giulio Cesare, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 - $1,260,000, Bureau of Reclamation, Water and Related Resources-Investigations. This funding is for a study of the feasibility of three different alternatives for augmenting water supplies in the Sierra Vista Subwatershed of Southern Arizona. The augmentation alternatives to be studied were identified by the Bureau of Reclamation in an appraisal report issued in June 2007. Due to a combination of persistent drought and increased groundwater pumping, aquifer levels are falling below the level necessary to maintain base flows in the San Pedro River. This feasibility study is an important use of taxpayer funds because if the river were to run dry, it would threaten the viability of the riparian ecosystem, including at least one listed endangered species. Absent water augmentation, mitigation measures to prevent the river from running dry could ultimately include curtailing or ceasing operations at nearby Fort Huachuca, which would deal a severe blow to the local economy. The entire community has a vested interest in ensuring that the San Pedro continues to flow, so the entire community has an interest in exploring augmentation.
Tanque Verde Creek Project, Rillito Tributaries – Pima County, 130 W. Congress St., 10th Floor, Tucson, AZ 85701 - $2,000,000, Army Corps of Engineers, Construction. This project is located on the Tanque Verde Creek between Sabino Canyon Road and Craycroft Road in Tucson, Arizona. Tanque Verde Creek is a major tributary to the Rillito River that flows into the Rillito River at Craycroft Road. This is an important use of taxpayer funds because it will provide flood control, bank protection and habitat preservation, as well as mitigation measures. After a 1983 flood, Congress authorized bank stabilization and flood control protection along the Rillito River in WRDA 1986. Tanque Verde Creek was subsequently authorized for construction by Congress in WRDA 2007 in the amount of $5,906,000 (federal share of $3,836,000 and non-federal share of $2,070,000) in accordance with the recommendation in the report to the Chief of Engineers dated July 22, 2003.
Tres Rios del Norte – Pima County, 130 W. Congress St., 10th Floor, Tucson, AZ 85701 - $275,000, Army Corps of Engineers, Construction. This funding will be used to conduct Preliminary Engineering and Design (PED) on the restoration of the Santa Cruz River from Prince Road to Sanders Road, a river reach of over 18 linear miles. This is an important use of taxpayer funds because it is an environmental restoration project that will provide flood control, groundwater recharge, and recreation. It will achieve goals shared by Pima County, the Town of Marana, and the City of Tucson. The Corps has been conducting a Feasibility Study with the three local sponsors (Pima County, the Town of Marana, and the City of Tucson). The Feasibility Study is well underway and the Alternative Formulation Briefing on the recommended alternative is anticipated to be complete in calendar year 2010.
Tucson Drainage Area Urban Flood Control Project – Pima County, 130 W. Congress St., 10th Floor, Tucson, AZ 85701 – $5,000,000, Army Corps of Engineers, Construction. This funding will allow the Corps to advance flood control improvements along the Tucson Arroyo and Arroyo Chico Wash. This is an important use of taxpayer funds because these improvements are critical for the protection of downtown Tucson, including residential neighborhoods and the downtown business district. The second and final phase of this project began in 2007. Congress increased authorization for the total project (Phases I and II) in WRDA 2007 to $66,700,000 in recognition of a significant increases in costs for fuel and construction materials.
Tucson Public Building Solar Arrays – City of Tucson, 255 W. Alameda, Tucson, AZ 85701 - $480,000, Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Solar Program. This funding will allow the City of Tucson to install 120 kilowatt solar demonstration on the roofs of two city buildings. One of the buildings houses the public library and a Tucson Police substation. The second building is the Sun Van building, which provides transit-related services for physically impaired individuals. Both buildings are heavily used and highly visible. This is an important use of taxpayer funds because installing solar panels on these buildings will result in increased public awareness of the benefits of solar technology and energy efficiency, reduced utility costs, and reduced carbon emissions. To further enhance public awareness the City will include a web-based monitoring system to allow students and the public to access solar production and other solar information. Finally, the project would allow the City to continue its 10-year solar installation project that has been stalled due to the current budget crisis.
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Arsenic Removal Facility – Santa Cruz Valley Citizens Council, P.O. Box 1501, Tubac, AZ 85646 - $1,100,000, Environmental Protection Agency, State and Tribal Assistance Grants. Funds will be used to construct an arsenic removal facility for the public water system in Tubac, AZ. This is an important use of taxpayer funds because the arsenic levels in the Tubac water supply currently exceed the federal limit of 10 parts per billion; therefore an arsenic removal facility must be constructed to comply with Federal law. The total capital cost will be $2.3 million. Without federal assistance, amortized for 25 years, this would cost the 532 customers of the Tubac water system over $5.2 million in principal and interest (not including O&M expenses), leading to a first-year rate increase of $416,332. Water bills in Tubac could reach 2.73% of median household income, more than four times the national average projected by the CBO. Project plans for the arsenic removal facility are ready and construction can begin within one month of funding approval.
Firefighting Capability Enhancements, Sonoita-Elgin Fire District, 3173 N. Hwy 83, Sonoita, AZ 85637 - $180,000, U.S. Forest Service, Wildland Fire Management. Funds will be used to expand remote water storage capabilities and enhance communications capabilities in the Sonoita-Elgin Fire District. This is an important use of taxpayer funds because the Fire District is the first responder to 105 square miles of National Forest land in the Coronado National Forest. Although the District has been pursuing badly needed upgrades to the water storage and communications systems through grants and donations, the tender truck must still shuttle long distances to refill with water when fighting fires in remote areas and currently 35% of the District has spotty or no communications coverage.
Predictive Water Modeling Tool – University of Arizona, 1401 East University Boulevard, Tucson, AZ 85721 - $300,000, Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Programs and Management. Funds will be used by the University of Arizona’s Colleges of Science (COS) and Engineering (COE) to develop a software-based decision support tool with cyber-infrastructure and computing capabilities to investigate such questions as how global climate change will influence the amount and spatial distribution of future rainfall and how that may affect the sustainability and security of our water resources. This is an important use of taxpayer funds because the tool will lead to knowledge that can be used by decision-makers to set sound water policies.
Saguaro National Park Trail Improvements – National Park Service, 1849 C St NW, Washington, DC 20240, Tucson, AZ 85705 - $398,000, National Park Service, Construction. Funds will be used to add approximately 12 miles of recreational trails, remove approximately 4 miles of existing trails and restore native habitat, and improve approximately 124 miles of existing recreational trails at the Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. This is an important use of taxpayer funds because it will help the National Park Service implement their new Comprehensive Trails Plan for Saguaro National Park as well as create jobs for local young people.
San Pedro River Ecosystem Conservation – The Nature Conservancy, 7600 N. 15th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020 - $900,000, U.S. Forest Service, Forest Legacy Program. The funding is to acquire conservation easements on 694 acres of riparian forest land within the Bureau of Land Management's San Pedro Ecosystem Management Area in Cochise County, Arizona. The San Pedro River Ecosystem project comprises 5 tracts of riparian forest that total 694 acres, all in private ownership. Each of the owners/ranchers is willing to put their lands in permanent conservation protection with the state through conservation easements. This is an important use of taxpayer funds because protection of these 5 tracts will contribute to the continued success of a large, landscape-level conservation effort involving local, state and federal partners in support of the BLM's San Pedro River Ecosystem Management Area to the confluence with the Gila River. This project also contributes to the protection of wildlife on Federal lands in the mountains on both sides of the valley with easements on riparian forest habitat and wildlife habitat corridors that connect the San Pedro River to the neighboring mountains.
Site Preparation for Search and Rescue Headquarters – Southern Arizona Rescue Association (SARA), P.O. Box 12892, Tucson, AZ 85732 - $250,000, U.S. Forest Service, Capital Improvement. Funds will be used to establish a permanent search and rescue training and meeting facility by contributing to civil site preparation at Sabino Canyon. Preparations will include paving, sidewalks, onsite septic system and water and electrical service to the facility. (Separate funds will be raised for building construction.) This site will become a permanent headquarters and training facility which will help SARA recruit and retain members. This is an important use of taxpayer funds because SARA participates in about 100 rescues of lost hikers and other outdoor recreationists each year at no cost to the community or the individuals who are rescued. About 60 percent of these rescues occur on National Forest land in and around Sabino Canyon. SARA also works with agencies including the US Border Patrol and other county, state and federal agencies upon request.
Steam Pump Ranch Historic Site Restoration - Town of Oro Valley, 11000 N. La Canada Drive, Oro Valley, AZ 85737 - $1,000,000, National Park Service, Save America’s Treasures. Funds will be used for restoration of 15-acre, 13-building complex in the heart of Oro Valley. The Steam Pump Ranch is a centerpiece of regional history and was purchased with county bond funds in 2004. Reconstruction of the Ranch environment has had extensive public involvement. This restoration is an important use of taxpayer funds because it will preserve essential elements of Southern Arizona’s cattle, mercantile, military & professional baseball heritage, and create a valuable community resource and tourism destination.
Upper San Pedro River Monitoring and Reporting – Upper San Pedro Partnership, 401 Giulio Cesare, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 - $500,000, U.S. Geological Survey, Surveys Investigations and Research. Funds will be used by the USGS to monitor the flow of the San Pedro River and the conditions of the regional aquifer of the Sierra Vista Subwatershed, Arizona, and prepare the annual report to Congress as directed by Section 321 of P.L. 108-136. The report is to include an analysis of: 1) the quantity of overdraft reduction 2) the effectiveness of water use management and conservation measures undertaken and 3) the accomplishments in reducing legal impediments to mitigating water use made by the members of the Partnership during the preceding fiscal year. This reporting requirement places unbudgeted demands on USGS facilities and staff, which makes the requested funds critical to enable the USGS to meet its reporting requirement. This is an important use of taxpayer funds because it will assist the Upper San Pedro Partnership in achieving sustainable yield of the regional aquifer, which is essential to ensuring the long-term viability of the City of Sierra Vista, the U.S. Army’s Fort Huachuca, and the San Pedro River itself, which is one of the most diverse ecosystems in North America.
Wastewater Treatment Plant – City of Willcox, 101 S. Railroad Ave., Suite B, Willcox, AZ 85643 - $1,000,000, Environmental Protection Agency, State and Tribal Assistance Grants. Funding will be used to design and construct a new wastewater treatment plant that will restore compliance with Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations while providing sewer service to the citizens of Willcox. In December 2008, ADEQ (Arizona Department of Environmental Quality) issued the City of Willcox Notices of Violation for the operation, maintenance, and water quality for the wastewater treatment plant. The major violations include failing or inadequate equipment, exceeding testing parameters, and possible human contact with virtually untreated wastewater. Due to the seriousness of the violations, ADEQ considers this a very high priority. This is an important use of taxpayer funds because the treatment plant needs to undergo extensive renovations or be replaced in order to comply with ADEQ and EPA water quality standards, ensure high quality water for citizens of the City of Willcox, and preserve the natural habitat of Cochise Lake.
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies
ACP at Buffalo Soldier Gate - Fort Huachuca, United States Army Garrison, Alvarado Hall, Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613 - $7,800,000, MILCON: This project is an important use of taxpayer funds because funding will provide for design and construct of a 3,500 gross square foot access control building with level-3 bullet protection at the installation's Main Gate to replace current ad hoc plastic temporary jersey barriers. Supporting utilities and infrastructure will include water, sewer, gas, electrical power, lighting, parking, road improvements, landscaping, information systems, canopies for vehicle and guards, electronically activated barriers, signage, gates, and heating and cooling provided by self contained systems. The base's current main gate complex is inconsistent with Force Protection requirements and supports a limited security posture.
Consolidated Mission Support Center (AMARG) - Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, 5275 E. Granite Street, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ 85707 - $7,500,000, MILCON: AMARG support functions are decentralized and located in eight substandard facilities. These facilities consume a considerable amount of energy and require constant maintenance and repair. Due to the scattered locations and lack of communication capabilities, support functions are greatly diminished. This project is an important use of taxpayer funds because construction of this new facility will provide a consolidated single point of operation for AMARG to process and maintain aerospace vehicles and components in extended storage for all DOD services. This project includes the demolition of eight existing, substandard, and energy inefficient facilities totaling 3,433 sq/m and resulting in a net reduction of 11,490 sq/ft.
Fire Station, Two Company - Fort Huachuca, United States Army Garrison, Alvarado Hall, Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613 - $4,400,000, MILCON: This funding will be used to design and construct a standard, two-company headquarters fire station, including a hose drying tower, a wash rack with oil/water separator and clarifier, and flammable materials storage. Supporting facilities will include electrical service, lightning protection and transformer, standby generator, exterior lighting, traffic signals, site utilities, sidewalks, asphalt and concrete paving, surfaced roads, shaped storm drainage, site improvements, landscaping and information systems, and heating and air conditioning. This funding will also provide for demolition of old buildings. Antiterrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) measures include laminated glass, closed circuit TV, electronically controlled traffic gates and landscape features. This project is an important use of taxpayer funds because it will replace the existing antiquated fire station and accommodate an on-base population twice the size of that served by the current facility.
Repair Runway and Touchdowns, Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field, Luke Air Force Base, 7222 Fighter Country Ave, Luke Air Force Base, AZ 85309 - Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field (GBAFAF) - $9,760,000, MILCON: GBAFAF is the auxiliary airfield supporting Luke AFB and Davis-Monthan AFB, which are the Air Force's F-16 and A-10 major training bases. The GBAFAF provides an emergency alternative landing site for pilots and a location for conducting take-off and landing practice runs. It also supports the 161st Aerial Refueling Wing, 162d Fighter Wing, UAS training from Fort Huachuca and other Executive Agencies in the region utilizing aircraft for border operations and training. This project is an important use of taxpayer funds because it will replace the GBAFAF’s worn asphalt runway with a more durable concrete surface that can endure the high operations tempo and environmental conditions which usually generate Foreign Object Debris (FOD) on asphalt surfaces. Conversion to a concrete runway will sustain operations and eliminate the asphalt spall potential that could endanger fighter aircraft. The funding will allow for milling and overlay of 6,550 linear feet (LF) of asphalt runway and replacement of 2,000 LF of asphalt runway with concrete in the 1,000 foot touchdown zones at the approach and departure ends of the runway.
Unmanned Aerial Systems Facilities - Fort Huachuca, United States Army Garrison, Alvarado Hall, Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613 - $11,400,000, MILCON: This project is an important use of taxpayer funds because funding will provide for design and construction of a new Unmanned Aerial System Facilities (UAS) to include an Aircraft Maintenance Hangar and Flight Operations and Aircraft Apron to support Extended Range Multi-Purpose (ER/MP) Unmanned Aerial System training to include complete Antiterrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) measures (intrusion detection system, interior/exterior camera monitors, fencing) around airfield compound, and handicap accessibility. Supporting facilities include all utility, side lighting, fire protection and alarm systems, lightning protection, storm drainage, parking, information systems, site improvements, and air conditioning.
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
Continental Campus Expansion Project – United Community Health Center-Maria Auxiliadora, Inc., 81 West Esperanza Blvd., Suite 201, Green Valley, AZ 85614 - $325,000, HHS-HRSA: For nearly 30 years United Community Health Center, a federally qualified health center, has been providing primary healthcare in this rural and medically underserved part of Arizona. This funding will expand United Community Health Center clinical facilities to keep pace with the growing demand for healthcare services. This project is an important use of taxpayer funds because they will be used for the construction of the 21,000+ square foot building for expanded clinical services and the integration of current clinical operations from other leased properties. This new space will allow for new service expansion of an in-house pharmacy to offer 340B pricing to patients and provide permanent dental services space so our mobile dental program for children can have a permanent home base.
Emergency Department Construction - Bisbee Hospital Association, 101 Cole Ave., Bisbee, AZ 85603, - $500,000, HHS-HRSA: Funding will be used to renovate and expand the emergency department within the Copper Queen Community Hospital (CQCH), a rural Critical Acccess Hospital located near the U.S.-Mexico border. The design for the facility is ready and this high priority project can be completed in one year. Construction will result in immediate employment as well as the addition of medical staff upon completion. This is an important use of taxpayer funds because it will improve the quality of care and services for emergency patients and responds to a doubling in utilization of the CQCH emergency department, particularly uncompensated care provided to undocumented immigrants. Funding through Section 1011 to reimburse hospitals for the costs associated with treating undocumented immigrants has not been reauthorized.
Major Medical Equipment - Marana Health Center, Inc., 13644 North Sandario Rd., Marana, AZ 85653 - $400,000, HHS-HRSA: Funding will be used to purchase radiological and other major medical equipment purchases for the new community health center in Marana, Arizona. Marana Health Center (MHC) is a Federally Qualified Health Center that has been operating for over 50 years. Their service area covers more than 600 square miles, with 11 satellite clinics servicing local communities. Sixty-four percent of their patients having incomes below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Over the past five years, MHC has grown an average of 60 percent annually. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will help MHC afford to purchase the types of diagnostic, radiological, and medical equipment required to continue to offer high quality care to this rapidly growing population.
Midwestern University Sierra Vista Postgraduate Nursing Program - Sierra Vista Regional Health Center / Midwestern University - $350,000, HHS-HRSA: Funding will be used to continue the development and implementation of the Postgraduate Nursing Educational Program at the rural Sierra Vista Regional Health Center. This program is an important use of taxpayer funds because it will help train and recruit nurses to work in rural Southern Arizona, an area facing great challenges attracting and retaining healthcare professionals in a state that has ranked 41st in the nation for LPNs per capita and has only 624 RNs per 100,000 population, 157 fewer than the national rate of 780.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Equipment Upgrade - University Medical Center Corporaton, 1501 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ 85724 - $425,000, HHS-HRSA: Funding will be used to acquire 30 General Electric Giraffe Omnibeds for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Diaomond Children’s Medical Center (DCMS). This is an important use of taxpayer funds because these Omnibeds provide a versatile and vital microenvironment designed to promote optimal outcomes for newborns in need of the highest level of medical intervention to survive and thrive. This equipment will be a key component of the 36-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for newborns in distress. The University Medical Center Corporation is a private, non-profit hospital.
Opening Minds Institute - Opening Minds Through the Arts Foundation, 2025 E. Winsett St., Tucson, AZ 85719 - $150,000, EDUC-Elementary & Secondary Education: The Opening Minds Through the Arts (OMA) Foundation has been active over the past 10 years in the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD.) This funding will expand OMA’s programs — through the Opening Minds Institute — to more schools through a dissemination program that trains teachers, supports the community partnerships (including work with artist, scientists, etc. and parents) and tracks students to document the program impact. The OMA Foundation will become a training and technical center to empower schools to use OMA as a school operating system, involving all teachers in the school. This project is an important use of taxpayer funds to increase student achievement in grades K-8, improve school performance, provide professional development to support an integrated approach to teaching and learning and deliver solutions to challenged school districts.
Reach Out and Read - Reach Out and Read National Center, 56 Roland St., Boston, MA 02129 - $100,000, Educ. Funds will support the “Reach Out and Read” program authorized in Section 5411-5414 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Currently, more than 3,500 clinics and hospitals are implementing this program, reaching more than 25% of America’s at-risk children. In my Southern Arizona District, pediatricians use this program to provide age appropriate books to children during regular checkups, and encourage their parents to read to them. All too often these are the only books these families will own.
Surgery Facility Addition - Northern Cochise Community Hospital, 901 W. Rex Allen Dr., Willcox, AZ 85643 - $500,000, HHS-HRSA: Funding will be used to purchase a turn-key modular surgery facility. Northern Cochise Community Hospital is a 24-bed, critical access hospital that provides medical services for approximately 16,000 people throughout the rural areas of Cochise County. This project is an important use of taxpayer funds because it will save lives, reduce the cost of transporting emergency patients, wait times and medical expenses for the patient and insurance carriers. There are currently no surgical procedures performed in the Norther Cochise Community Hospital’s service area.
Venom Immunochemistry, Pharmacology and Emergency Response Institute - University of Arizona, 1401 East University Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85721 - $450,000, HHS-CDC: Up to 1.8 million venom injuries occur each year, causing up to 94,000 deaths worldwide. Nationally, antivenom production has declined rapidly and is in short supply. To solve this issue the Venom Immunochemistry, Pharmacology and Emergency Response Institute (VIPER) at the University of Arizona proposes the establishment of a national antivenom distribution network. This is an important use of taxpayer funds because it will provide lifesaving antivenom within hours to snakebite, scorpion sting, and rabies victims throughout the United States as well as create local jobs.
Women’s Economic Development Program - YWCA Tucson, 525 N. Bonita, Tucson, AZ 85745 - $150,000, Labor-ETA: Due to the current economic recession, far too many workers are unemployed or under-employed and are struggling to make ends meet. Unfortunately, as the statistics illustrate, women are disproportionally impacted by the recession and many face significant barriers to employment and self sufficiency. -In August 2008, the unemployment rate for single mothers and women with families climbed to 9.5% which was the highest level in 15 years and in January 2009, the unemployment rate for female heads of households was 10.3% compared to 7.6% for adult men. This project is an important use of taxpayer funds because it will expand the YWCA’s job training and employment services form women who are unemployed or under-employed in this difficult economic envirornment.
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
Air Traffic Control Tower Design and Construction – Marana Regional Airport – Town of Marana – 11555 W. Civic Center Drive, Marana, AZ 85653 - $2,000,000, FAA-AIP: The Marana Regional Airport is home to 320 aircraft with more than 110,000 operations per year. This project is an important use of taxpayer funds because it supports the design and construction of an urgently needed air traffic control tower that will improve community safety and operational efficiency at the airport. If the Marana Airport had a tower it would be ranked as the 40th busiest Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Contract Tower out of the 239 in the United States. The Town has been notified by the FAA that it is eligible to participate and receive full funding for staffing of the tower once construction is complete. This project will benefit the local community, the metropolitan Tucson region, the State of Arizona and the National Air Transportation System with enhanced aviation safety and related economic development.
Alternate Fuel Replacement Buses – City of Tucson, 255 W. Alameda Street, Tucson, AZ 85701 - $1,000,000, Buses: The City of Tucson provides transit service in the Tucson metropolitan area with an active fleet of 206 buses and has been replacing diesel-fueled buses with alternative fueled vehicles since 1996. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will be used to purchase 15 replacement buses to meet Federal Transit Administration (FTA) standards that require the replacement of diesel fuel buses with buses that use clean burning alternatives. Within the City's fleet, 62 diesel-fueled and dual-fueled buses are currently eligible for replacement.
Arizona Forest Highway 39 (Catalina Highway) - Pima County, 130 W. Congress Street, 10th Floor, Tucson, AZ 85701 – $2,000,000, Federal Lands Highways Program: The funding will be used for urgently needed repairs to the Arizona Forest Highway 39 (Catalina Highway). Devastating forest fires and subsequent flooding caused extreme damage to a number of sites on this highway and have created extraordinary maintenance needs. The repairs will involve construction of a bridge as well as repair of retaining walls and back-filling of a sinkhole that is undermining the roadway. This highway is a 25-mile route in the Coronado National Forest that serves over 1,000 vehicles per day. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because this highway is the only paved roadway into the Santa Catalina Mountains and the only all-weather access for residents, several business and government installations. This roadway is important to the local economy as well – it serves numerous recreation facilities and tourist attractions in the Coronado National Forest. The Coronado National Forest covers 1,780,000 acres of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico.
Homeless Veterans’ Transitional Housing and Support – Esperanza en Escalante, 3700 S. Calle Polar, Tucson, AZ 85730 – $76,494, HUD-EDI: This funding will be used by Esperanza en Escalante, a non-profit organization, to purchase a modular building to expand the individual and group support, counseling and advocacy services that the organization provides to homeless veterans. The organization currently provides transitional housing for homeless veterans receiving assistance for substance abuse and mental health issues from the Veterans Administration. The housing is located on land that was formerly part of Davis-Montham Air Force Base, but was released by the federal government to be used by Esperanza en Escalante for this purpose over a decade ago. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the housing serves 50+ veterans – some alone and some with families – at any one time. This funding will help the organization reach its goal of serving 200 veterans at a time.
Main Street Historic Building Renovation – Douglas Arts & Humanities Association, Inc., Douglas, AZ - 1139 G Avenue, Douglas, AZ 85607 - $380,000, HUD-EDI: This funding will be used for ongoing structural and functional work on the historic Grand Theatre in Douglas focused on building safety, security, structural integrity, and weatherization. Douglas is a former copper smelter town, but the industry closed in the late 1970's, leaving a deep void. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the Grand Theatre is a cornerstone of Douglas' downtown renewal efforts - its renovation is crucial to the community’s efforts to foster and revitalize their economy and quality of life. It is a solid example of the American Dream as represented by both its original construction and rebirth in the 21st Century.
Sahuarita Road Improvements - Town of Sahuarita, 375 W. Sahuarita Center Way, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 - $1,000,000, TCSP: Funding will be used to improve a three-mile segment of road along the eastern entrance to the Town of Sahuarita. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the Sahuarita Road Corridor from La Villita to Country Club is the eastern gateway to the Town of Sahuarita and a grade-separated crossing over the Union Pacific Rail Road tracks would create safer access for first responders in the event of an emergency. The project involves expanding the current two-lane road into a four-lane divided, all-weather roadway with two bridge structures, wider medians, multi-purpose lanes and sidewalks.
Solar Array Construction – Community Food Bank, Inc., PO Box 26727, Tucson, AZ 85726 - $442,000, HUD-EDI: This funding will be used to install a solar power array on the Community Food Bank’s (CFB) main warehouse. Power from the array will allow CFB to reduce its electricity bill by approximately $10,000/month at current prices. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the savings from the solar panels equate to the cost of 1,053 more food boxes a month that will be distributed to low-income families in the five-county area CFB serves. These additional services are greatly needed - CFB has experienced a 36% increase in demand for its services due to the economic downturn in southern Arizona.
Tangerine Interchange Corridor – Town of Marana, 11555 W. Civic Center Drive, Marana, AZ 85653 - $750,000, TCSP: The funding will provide for the expansion of the Tangerine Interchange Corridor Project, which consists of a northwest regional access network, an Interchange on I-10 and an overpass of the Union Pacific Railroad. This project responds to the rapid growth in the northwest Marana region and is a valuable use of taxpayer funds by increasing safety for roadway users crossing the I-10 interstate system as well as the existing Union Pacific Railroad tracks. It will also increase the current economic development to the area by providing a transportation network that connects developable commercial properties in and around the Northern Pima County Region.
Tucson Modern Streetcar/Light Rail Transit System – City of Tucson, 255 W. Alameda Street, Tucson, AZ 85701 - $5,000,000, New Starts: This funding will be used to match local dollars raised to design and construct a new modern streetcar/light rail transit system in Tucson. The high capacity modern streetcar/light rail transit system will connect the University Medical Center, University of Arizona, University Maingate Business District, 4th Avenue, Downtown Tucson and Rio Nuevo. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will provide greater mobility between the region's largest activity centers, support economic development, support the University of Arizona's development master plan, sustain the viability of the center city's historic districts, improve air quality, relieve traffic congestion, reduce accidents along the corridor, and provide improved connections with the City's existing public transit system.
Valencia/Wilmont/Barraza/Aviation Parkway – Pima County, 130 W. Congress Street, 10th Floor, Tucson, AZ 85701 - $2,000,000, TCSP: Funding will be used for the construction of the Valencia/Wilmot/Barraza-Aviation Parkway Connection which occurs at the geographic center of the Tucson region. Valencia Road will be extended to six-lanes, and new grade separated intersections will be constructed at Wilmot Road and Kolb Road and Wilmot Road and the Union Pacific Railroad. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because this construction project directly impacts the area’s future job growth by providing a link between the Interstate highway system and warehouses, distribution centers and trans-loading facilities in Tucson. Without the Valencia/Wilmot/Barraza-Aviation Parkway Connection’s construction, the Arizona Department of Transportation has projected that the intersections connecting the city and this area would become too congested and, as a result, will have a negative impact on commerce between Tucson International Airport and downtown Tucson.