Earmark Declaration

Floor Speech

EARMARK DECLARATION -- (Extensions of Remarks - February 26, 2009)

* Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Speaker, in accordance with House earmark reforms, I would like to place in the RECORD a listing of the congressionally-directed projects I have requested in my home state of Idaho that are contained in the report of HR 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009.

* I'd like to take just a few minutes to describe why I support these projects and why they are valuable to the nation and its taxpayers. division a--agriculture

* The report contains $254,000 in ARS Salaries and Expenses for NW Center for Small Fruits in Corvallis, Oregon. The Small Fruits Initiative-Plant Improvement project will build upon the strengths of existing cooperative research programs aligned through the Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research. This ongoing tri-state program supports the development of small fruits as an alternative agriculture crop in the Pacific Northwest. The funding will strengthen existing programs throughout the region and add key programs to fill in critical gaps that are not met by the existing infrastructure associated with the Center, providing key resources for Idaho scientists to address problems that negatively impact the emerging berry, grape, and wine industries in the Northwest. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the University of Idaho, located at 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, Idaho 83844 through the USDA's ARS located at 29603 U of I Lane, Parma, Idaho, 83660.

* The report contains $650,000 in Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, salaries and expenses, for Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee. Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming are each required by law to manage brucellosis-infected wildlife within their borders in order to prevent the spread of brucellosis to non-infected wildlife, cattle, or domestic bison. The Committee is coordinating with federal, state, and private actions in eliminating brucellosis from wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone Area and preventing transmission of this disease from wildlife to livestock. The funding will be used to develop and implement brucellosis herd unit management plans; to perform functions and duties of Idaho relative to the Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee; to conduct brucellosis prevention, surveillance, control and eradication activities in Idaho and the Greater Yellowstone Area. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, located at 2270 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, Idaho 83712.

* The report contains $176,000 in Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, salaries and expenses, for the Nez Perce Bio-Control Center. The Nez Perce Bio-Control Center is authorized by the Noxious Weed Control and Eradication Act of 2004 and manages and establishes nurseries to increase biological control organism availability, distribute biological control organisms, monitor their impacts, and provide an increased number of annual technology transfer workshops to Cooperative Weed Management Areas and other landowners and managers regionally. This funding will continue the partnership between USDA and the Nez Perce Tribe to maximize the effectiveness of implementing a complete bio-control of weeds program in an Integrated Weed Management strategy. The Center will increase the availability of agents for landowners and managers throughout the region. Biological control offers long-term management of invasive weeds and can be used with other integrated pest management approaches. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the Nez Perce Tribe Bio-Control Center, located at 102 Agency Road, Lapwai, Idaho 83540.

* The report contains $514,000 in CSREES, research and education, for the Barley for Rural Development Project. Funding for this program will support research directed at the continued development of improved malt, feed, cellulosic ethanol and food barley varieties for growers and value added end-users in rural Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota communities. This research is starting to expand and meet market opportunities, addressing the critical need of growers in production agriculture to increase economic yield, enhance domestic and international market access, improve production technologies, better compete with Canadian imports and reduce dependence on government subsidies. Research supported by this project will increase the manufacture and sale of value-added barley products (malt, beer, fuel, food, livestock) in these states, having a substantial positive impact on their economies, supporting jobs, generating business activity, and federal, state, and local tax revenue. Maintenance of the strength of barley in the Idaho economy requires continual efforts to improve crop quality and productivity. This can only be accomplished by investing in strong research programs that keep the industry at the forefront. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the University of Idaho, located at 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, Idaho 83844.

* The report contains $235,000 in CSREES, research and education, for the Cool Season Legume Research Project. This program is an aggressive cooperative research program between the USDA, the University of Idaho, and the University of Washington that seeks new, high yielding, high quality, nutritious dry pea, lentil, and chickpea varieties to meet producer and consumer needs. This research focuses on the breeding of new, superior varieties of legumes; management of nematodes, insects, plant diseases and weeds that can limit production; and reduction of soil erosion and water degradation associated with production, as well as the development of value-added new products. The technology being generated through the research is essential for the pea, lentil, and chickpea industries to remain competitive and profitable. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the University of Idaho, located at 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, Idaho 83844.

* The report contains $603,000 in CSREES, research and education, for Increasing Shelf Life of Ag Commodities. In order to prevent serious food safety issues, this project will fund research and development of bio-electronic sensors that can detect the presence of microbial pathogens in food and food products. Preventative detection and treatment at the agricultural commodity level and fast, accurate detection of biological pathogens and dangerous food toxins is an important element for ensuring safety and shelf life. The research being conducted in this area at the University of Idaho will advance and expand previous work on biosensor systems to further enhance preventative detection and treatment of biological pathogens and dangerous food toxins. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the University of Idaho, located at 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, Idaho 83844.

* The report contains $349,000 in CSREES, research and education, for Potato Cyst Nematode Research. This funding will be used by the University of Idaho for research and development of means to eradicate and better protect the Idaho potato crop from the soil-borne pathogen potato cyst nematode, hardened nematode bodies filled with eggs which can persist in the soil for up to 25 years. Current eradication depends upon methyl bromide, which is not totally effective and which may be banned because of its ozone depleting properties, as well as other chemicals which are even less effective and several of which may also be banned. The funds will be used to maximize the efficiency of methyl bromide while it is available and develop new ``green'' replacement eradicants (such as green manure or biologically derived nematicides) and procedures (advance hatching frequency), as well as to improve planting material screening procedures and to study plant-vectorvirus relationships, which may also lead to new ways to fight potato viruses.

* FY08 funding established the groundwork, and the University of Idaho is now prepared to fully implement the needed research. This project will work in concert with the ongoing USDA eradication program by providing new methods of treatment. This crop pest can result in 80% yield reductions and has negatively affected agricultural trade. There is a good chance that if this threat is addressed with adequate research and treatment it can be eliminated. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the University of Idaho College located at 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, Idaho 83844.

* The report contains $1.037 million for potato research (CSREES). This funding would be used to support an on-going research program that provides critical support to the potato industry through the development of new potato varieties and resistance to disease and pests. The ARS research station at Aberdeen, Idaho, has produced eight new potato varieties, and it has participated in the development of twelve other varieties nationwide. With the increasing threat of disease and pests, new varieties are crucial for America's agriculture community. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the University of Idaho, located at 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, Idaho 83844 through the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. Research will be performed at the United States Department of Agriculture's Agriculture Research Service, Pacific West Area, located at 1691 S. 2700 W., Aberdeen, Idaho 83210.

* The report contains $8.294 million in Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, salaries and expenses, for Potato Cyst Nematode Eradication. The USDA is currently conducting an aggressive eradication program to address the outbreak of Potato Cyst Nematode in Idaho, the first discovery in the U.S. This pest can result in up to 80% crop reductions, and agricultural trade has already been affected. It is imperative that our trading partners know we are aggressively addressing this issue. Furthermore, this pest has a very high risk of dispersion. While it is currently confided to a small area in Eastern Idaho, it is very conceivable that, if left untreated, this pest can spread, affecting crops other than potatoes. Through this funding, the program will continue to adequately address this issue, and there is a good potential the pest could be eradicated. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service located at 1400 Independence Avenue, Washington, D.C. DIVISION B--COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE

* The report contains $1,000,000 in the COPS Meth account for the Idaho Meth Project. Methamphetamine trafficking and abuse in Idaho has been on the rise over the past few years and, as a result, Meth is having a devastating impact in many communities throughout the State. Meth is the number one illegal drug of choice in Idaho and the State's leading drug problem. The financial and social consequences of Meth abuse in Idaho are devastating. It is a contributing cause for much of the crime in Idaho, costs millions of dollars in productivity, contributes to the ever increasing prison populations and adversely impacts families. The Idaho Meth Project is a large-scale, statewide prevention and public awareness program designed to reduce the prevalence of first-time methamphetamine abuse in Idaho by influencing attitudes through high-impact advertising. Based on the successful Meth Project model developed in the state of Montana, the Idaho Meth Project is focused solely upon prevention and to achieve this goal is active in three areas: Public Service Messaging, Community Action and Public Policy. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is Idaho Meth Project, located at 304 N. 8th Street, Room 446, Boise, Idaho 83702.

* The report contains $350,000 in the NOAA account for the Boise Center Aerospace Laboratory (BCAL) Watershed Modeling Utilizing LiDAR at Idaho State University. ISU's Department of Geosciences has developed free spatial analysis tools available to the public for remote sensing and geographic information sciences (GIS). The remote sensing tools include a downloadable toolbox for analyzing light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data, primarily for topography and vegetation in semiarid environments. LiDAR technology can also provide topographic data below water. This funding will allow the ISU to develop new analysis tools for full-waveform LiDAR data to enable continuous characterization from the earth's surface to the top of the vegetation canopy. This type of analysis has improved potential over multiple return LiDAR data for understanding landscape processes in three dimensions. Hyperspectral analysis (soils and vegetation) will be coupled with the LiDAR data for a full characterization, spectrally and spatially of the landscape. These analyses will allow for studies of vegetation structure, dependence of vegetation, soils, and earth processes (e.g. fire, erosion) on topology (slope & aspect, drainages, surface roughness) and will provide up-to-date and precise flood plain maps for rivers with built environments to guide decisions on flood insurance coverage and land use restrictions. These predictive maps can also aid in evacuation of people and livestock during an impending flood. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is Idaho State University, located at 921 South 8th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho 83209.

* The report contains $350,000 in the NOAA account for the Improved hydrologic modeling of water resources for snow-dominated regions at Boise State University. Mountain-front communities in the western United States are experiencing rapid population growth, putting pressure on water resources. Wise use of water resources must be founded on knowledge of how water cycles through mountain-front landscapes. However, hydrologic processes in such systems are poorly understood. Understanding and forecasting these impacts of these changes requires comprehensive hydrologic models driven by state-of-the-art technology and science. These funds will assist with the development of an operational hydrology model for mountain-front hydrologic systems based on new research that advances knowledge on physical mechanisms by which water moves from mountains to valleys. The hydrologic model will build upon and improve current models used by the National Weather Service by making use of satellite technologies. The hydrologic model will be capable of assessing the impact of critical problems such as urbanization and climate change on water resources. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is Boise State University, located at 1910 University Drive Boise, ID 83725-1135.

* The report contains $880,000 in the COPS Law Enforcement Technology Account for the Idaho State Police to participate in the Criminal Information Sharing Alliance Network (CISAnet). CISAnet is a fully functional information-sharing network comprised of law enforcement agencies from ten states, including Idaho. The program focuses on drug trafficking and border security issues. Sharing of criminal law enforcement information by and between these ten states is vital to securing an area regarded as one of the most vulnerable to our nation's security. These funds would enable Idaho to continue participating in CISAnet. This program has received federal funding in previous fiscal years. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the Idaho State Police, located at 700 South Stratford, Meridian, ID 83642. DIVISION C--ENERGY AND WATER

* The report contains $5 million within the Army Corps of Engineers Section 595 program for rural water infrastructure upgrades in the Eastern Idaho Regional Wastewater Authority. The funding was authorized in the Water Resources Development Act. This funding is critical to assisting Idaho communities in upgrading their water and wastewater treatment facilities. In many cases, this funding is required to comply with unfunded mandates passed down by this Congress and federal agencies. In addition, these funds help communities in Idaho trying to attract new businesses and spur economic development. The vital water funding in this bill will assist communities in job creation and affordable housing by offering improved services at lower costs than would otherwise be possible. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the Eastern Idaho Regional Wastewater Authority, located at 101 S. Emerson Avenue Shelley, Idaho 83274.

* The report contains $1,427,250 in DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for the City of Boise's Geothermal Expansion. The Boise City geothermal system currently provides a low cost, environmentally sound, sustainable, locally provided heat source to commercial and publicly owned buildings in downtown Boise. Geothermal heat is considered a renewable source of energy and does not rely on fossil fuels, nuclear power, mining or damming of rivers and has zero emissions into the atmosphere. This project will extend the City of Boise geothermal pipeline system to Boise State University and would have the capacity to heat over two million square feet on the campus. It would provide significant cost savings as global energy costs increase and geothermal services continue to expand to more facilities. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the City of Boise, located at 150 N Capitol Boulevard, Third Floor, Boise, Idaho 83702.

* The report contains $2,498,639 in the DOE Office of Science account for the Idaho National Laboratory Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). CAES is a partnership between the State of Idaho and its academic research institutions, the federal government through the U.S. Department of Energy and the Idaho National Laboratory managed by the Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC. Through its collaborative structure, CAES combines the efforts of these institutions to provide timely energy research on both technical and policy issues. The research equipment obtained through this appropriation will enable the INL, Boise State University, Idaho State University, the University of Idaho, other national universities and private industry to support DOE by furthering collaboration on the advanced energy studies. Through the resulting research, CAES will contribute to the availability of carbon-neutral renewable energy, such as biofuels for transportation; the stewardship of the environment including water resource management through energy efficiency; the management of fossil fuel energy systems; and the expansion of energy production from commercial nuclear power while educating the next generation of scientists, engineers, policymakers and the public. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the Idaho National Laboratory, located at 2525 North Freemont St., Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415.

* The report contains $951,500 in the DOE Office of Science account for the Idaho Accelerator Laboratory at Idaho State University. The National Academy of Sciences recently issued a report recommending that the federal government should increase support to radionuclide production, distribution and basic research in production mechanisms; increase the domestic production of medical radionuclides through dedicated accelerators and reactors; and educate the next generation of medically-related nuclear scientists. The Idaho Accelerator Center would develop a medical isotope production facility that will serve regional isotope needs, conduct basic research in isotope production, educate the next generation of medically-related nuclear scientists and partner with regional and national entities in medical isotope distribution and use. This program would meet regional and national needs in education and isotope production and would complement and enhance DOE's National Isotope Program. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the Idaho State University, located at 921 South 8th Avenue, Pocatello, ID 83209. DIVISION D--FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT

* The report contains $200,000 in the Small Business Administration for a research and economic development and entrepreneurial initiative at Boise State University. With this funding, Boise State University will be able to establish research partnerships with business and governmental agencies to assist businesses in an effort to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of the State of Idaho. The federal funds being requested will be used to match private and public sector dollars and in-kind contributions to conduct collaborative research that creates intellectual property, creates jobs and ultimately leads to the benefit and growth of the Idaho business community. The funds will also be used to develop the necessary infrastructure to mine, protect and assess the commercialization potential of the intellectual property that is developed as a result of these efforts. This healthy business climate is critical to the economic strength of Idaho, the region and the nation; the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that originates from this sector helps the United States compete in today's global marketplace. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is Boise State University, located at 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725-1135.

* The report also contains $200,000 in the Small Business Administration for the Water Cooler, a business development center in Boise, Idaho. The Water Cooler is a collaborative project that will create a nonprofit business development center for synergistic, emerging businesses and interests in Boise's creativity economy. The facility will sublease office space to small businesses and organizations; provide meeting, seminar and event space; offer a small business services center (copy, printing, IT, Wi-Fi, video conferencing and the like) and serve as a networking and idea hub for the next generation of organizations in the areas of technology, film/arts, entertainment, media, venture capital, advertising/marketing, legal and urban life. The project will develop and facilitate strategies for growing businesses and employment opportunities in Boise and throughout Idaho. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the Capital City Development Corporation, located at 805 W. Idaho St. Ste. 403, Boise, ID 83702. DIVISION E--INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES

* The report contains $250,000 in STAG for the City of Lava Hot Springs Wastewater Improvement project. Lava Hot Springs is a small town of only 480 citizens. The city's wastewater treatment plant is currently discharging pollutants into the Portneuf River, and the city will be facing severe penalties under current federal law. With such a small population, the financial burden of coming into compliance is immense. This project will improve the collection system by replacing the badly deteriorated sewer mains, correct grade problems, and enlarge pipes. The problem of debris buildup in the lagoons will be resolved with flow meter, screens, and a grit removal system all housed in a constructed headwork building. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the City of Lava Hot Springs, located at 115 West Elm, P.O. Box 187, Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, 83246.

* The report contains $150,000 in Save America's Treasures for Restoration of the Rexburg Historic Westwood Theater. Formerly known as the Romance Theater, this circa 1917 building was the heart of entertainment for the rural communities of eastern Idaho offering vaudeville theater, silent movies, and dance recitals. One of the fastest growing communities in Idaho, Rexburg lacks a community venue for the arts. The City of Rexburg is attempting to restore the theater in order to provide a historical, cultural center for the growing population. The building requires restoration of the stage and auditorium and repairs to the roof and brick work. The City has developed a volunteer citizen committee to raise funding through fund raisers and the Idaho Commission on the Arts. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the City of Rexburg, Idaho, located at 12 North Center Street, P.O. Box 280, Rexburg, Idaho, 83440.

* The report contains $2,000,000 in LWCF for Land Acquisition for Henry's Lake ACEC. The funding will be used to purchase a conservation easement on the historic Johnson Ranch, on the west side of Henry's Lake. The ranch sustains an important wildlife migration corridor for game herds in the Yellowstone region as well as the area's scenic beauty. Roughly 2 million visitors travel through the Henry's Lake area every year. This conservation easement will continue existing ranching and agricultural activities while protecting the land and its wildlife from the subdivision and second home development that is spreading in the Island Park/Henry's Lake area. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the Bureau of Land Management, located at 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83401.

* The report contains $500,000 in LWCF for the Upper Snake/South Fork of the Snake River ACEC. The funding will be used to secure conservation easements from willing sellers. The BLM has ranked the Upper Snake South Fork as a top priority for land acquisition. As one of the nation's premier fishing destinations and recreational rivers, the Upper Snake/South Fork of the Snake River, which features outstanding fish habitat, water quality, scenic vistas and one of the West's most extensive cottonwood riparian forests, is under pressure from increasing population. The funding will facilitate protection of key lands in this landscape and will preserve and protect natural habitat while simultaneously supporting important recreational, and tourism opportunities in eastern Idaho. Additionally the lands proposed for protection include important agricultural lands that will remain in production and private ownership. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the Bureau of Land Management, located at 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83401.

* The report contains $250,000 for the Idaho Sage Grouse Management Plan. This funding will be used to implement the state's management plan for the sage grouse population, which is on the verge of being listed under the Endangered Species Act. A decision by the Fish and Wildlife Service could come as early as this spring. Idaho is taking proactive steps to recover this species before alisting is required, and the Sage Grouse Advisory Committee (SAC) is coordinating implementation of a statewide management plan for sage grouse. Contained within the plan are over 100 conservation measures for stabilizing and increasing populations of sage grouse in Idaho. In addition, there are 11 Local Working Groups that have completed or in the process of forming local plans. These funds will aid in implementing state and local plans and continuing the important on-the-ground work being done by Local Working Groups, including habitat restoration, monitoring, research, and education. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the Idaho Office of Species Conservation located at 300 North 6th Street, Suite 101, Boise, Idaho 83702. DIVISION F--LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION

* The report contains $333,000 in the Department of Education Elementary and Secondary Education account for the Idaho Early Literacy Project administered by the Lee Pesky Learning Center in Boise. The aim of the Idaho Early Literacy Project is to educate new mothers on the importance of early childhood literacy and math skills and providing them with resources for educating their children to assure that all children in Idaho are ready to read when they enter school. This funding will assist with the distribution of the research-based booklet, Every Child Ready to Read: Literacy Tips for Parents, to hospital maternity wards across Idaho as well as the training of child care providers throughout the state of Idaho. The training of child care providers includes a face-to-face approach in larger population centers and an on-line approach for remote rural locations. The project provides that children will receive literacy education at home and in child care facilities, creating the ``language rich'' upbringing necessary for success in school. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is Lee Pesky Learning Center, located at 3324 Elder Street, Boise, ID 83705.

* The report contains $285,000 in the Health Resources and Services Administration Health Facilities and Services account for the Idaho Caring Foundation for Children for dental services for low-income children. As a dentist, I understand the importance of proper dental hygiene at a very young age. Serious health and self-esteem problems can quickly evolve if dental hygiene is neglected early in a child's development. The project will provide access to needed dental services for 5,000 low-income, uninsured Idaho children. These services will be provided by our network of 120 Idaho dentists who provide dental services for reduced fees and in partnership with the oral health programs at all seven Idaho Health Districts. Eligible children will be identified by working in partnership with Idaho schools, health departments, Head Start programs and YMCA programs. All administrative costs for this program will be donated by Regence BlueShield of Idaho. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is Idaho Caring Foundation for Children, located at 1211 W. Myrtle, Suite 110, Boise, ID 83702.

* The report contains $285,000 in the Department of Education Elementary and Secondary Education Account for the Idaho Falls Arts Council ARTKade program for the purchase of equipment. The Idaho Falls Arts Council is creating a two-story, 5000 square foot interactive visual arts education center for youth, ages K-12, called ARTkade in downtown Idaho Falls. This funding will go primarily to purchase equipment to build the various arts stations. The purpose of ARTkade is to stimulate and re-awaken young people's interest in the visual arts by using interactive learning, computer technology and hands on festival style art projects that capture their imagination and redirect them to art education. The Council is partnering with area schools in the development and implementation of this facility (in large part because many local schools do not have full-time art teachers) and will be providing users with referral information about other arts education opportunities in the region. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is Idaho Falls Arts Council, located at 498 A Street, Idaho Falls, ID 83402.

* The report contains $143,000 in the Department of Education Elementary and Secondary Education account for the Life's Kitchen, Inc. life skills instruction programs for at-risk youth. This program works to stop the cycle of homelessness and prevent dependence on public assistance for at-risk, low-income youth (ages 16-20) through hands-on experience in the culinary arts combined with life skills instruction. Life skill instruction ranges from teaching students interview skills to personal financial management, as well as job placement. Life's Kitchen provides an innovative 16-week educational program of hands-on work experience training for young people who are at-risk and living on the fringe of society. These hands-on skills are developed while working in our three food businesses: cafe, catering and contract food. Students access the program through high school counselors, employment agencies, social workers, juvenile correction officers and word-of-mouth. The funding provided will be used to provide equipment and supplies needed to run the mentoring and tutoring as well as the culinary instruction portion of the programs. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is Life's Kitchen Inc., located at 1025 S. Capitol Blvd. Boise, Idaho 83706.

* The report contains $333,000 in the Health Resources and Services Administration Health Facilities and Services account for the Idaho Oral Health Institute at Idaho State University. The Idaho Oral Health Institute will provide a center for oral health education, research, and clinical practice in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The Institute will promote the highest quality of oral health care by providing education in contemporary clinical methods to oral health professionals, innovative continuing education to practicing health professionals and staff, collaboration among oral health and health professions researchers across the country and a state-of-the-art oral health care facility including classrooms, clinics, and laboratories with leading edge equipment and technology designed for education and research. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is Idaho State University, located at 921 South 8th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho 83209.

* The report contains $285,000 in the Institute of Museums and Library Services Museums and Libraries Account for the Discovery Center of Idaho for exhibits and outreach. The Discovery Center of Idaho is collaborating with multiple partners to create a new model of ``hands-on'' science center to captivate the attention of and inspire tomorrow's leaders and innovators. The center will be a resource for the region, with particular interest in serving rural areas to help break the myth that innovation is an urban phenomenon--and emphasize the understanding that ingenuity is found wherever and whenever an observant creative human being has a problem to solve. This is a tremendous opportunity to create a new approach to bridging the gap in science and technology education particularly for the underserved. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is Discovery Center of Idaho, located at 131 Myrtle St., Boise, ID 83702.

* The report contains $285,000 in the Department of Education's Higher Education account for the College of Southern Idaho's Pro-Tech Training Program. This program will enable the College to partner with other agencies to identify training needs and to identify potential candidates for employment. Data provided by Region IV of the State of Idaho Economic Development Agency indicate that manufacturing will be a leading employment area in the Magic Valley with over 250 new jobs expected over the next two years. The College of Southern Idaho has identified a significant educational demand for hi-tech manufacturing and engineering and a need for in-depth training in the technological aspects of the design, fabrication and manufacturing phases of production. These jobs will require the type of training that the College of Southern Idaho can provide with great expertise. This funding would be used to develop curriculum, implement new post-secondary educational-technical training degrees and programs at the College. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is College of Southern Idaho, located at 315 Falls Ave. Twin Falls, ID 83303-1238.

* The report contains $285,000 in the Health Resources and Services Administration Health Facilities and Services account for St. Luke's Regional Medical Center's Children Health Services Expansion. The Children's Health Services Expansion project provides an essential increase in capacity for Pediatric Medical/Surgical, Pediatric Intensive Care, Neonatal Intensive Care, Pediatric Oncology, and Pediatric Surgical Suites and support areas, to meet the needs of the rapidly growing population in the hospital's service area. The hospital is spending millions on the expansion and federal funds will represent only a small portion of the project's total costs. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is St. Luke's Regional Medical Center Ltd., located at 190 E. Bannock Street, Boise, ID 83712.

* The report contains $381,000 in the Health Resources and Services Administration Health Facilities and Services account for Madison County Memorial Hospital. Madison County Memorial Hospital services a growing area encompassing five counties and quite simply has outgrown its facilities. Increased capacity for obstetrics (Madison County Memorial Hospital has more births than any other hospital of its size in the State of Idaho and possibly the nation) and inpatient and outpatient surgeries is needed. The size of this project is 70,000 sq. feet of new construction and 85,000 sq. feet of remodeling, with an overall budget of $49 million and an equipment budget of over $7 million. Federal funding will be used for necessary medical equipment for the expanded and remodeled facility and represents a very small portion of the overall funding for this project. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is Madison County Memorial Hospital, located at 450 East Main, Rexburg, ID 83440.

* The report contains $190,000 in the Department of Education Elementary and Secondary Education account for Idaho SySTEMic Solution program at Boise State University. Idaho SySTEMic Solution is a nationally relevant, hands-on, project-based STEM learning system (science, technology, engineering, & math) designed to spur achievement and confidence among elementary-age learners and their teachers. Key project components will include: 1) a comprehensive teacher training model that includes a one-week summer institute and ongoing site-based follow-up training to boost the ability and confidence of elementary teachers; 2) implementation into demographically diverse schools (grades 1-5/6, urban to suburban to rural, multicultural) of curriculum-aligned learning lab systems that have been shown to improve student scores in math, science, and technology; and 3) research and evaluation of results in accordance with Idaho and national assessment standards to maximize the effectiveness of transplanting this solution to other U.S. states. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is Boise State University, located at 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725-1135. DIVISION I--TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

* The report contains $285,000 in the HUD/EDI account for the Custer County Economic Development Initiative in Custer County, ID. Custer County is overwhelmingly owned by the federal government, creating enormous financial challenges. The county has a very small tax base with high costs for maintaining roads and services over a very large area. Funding would allow the county to purchase and renovate an old middle school in Challis that would become a government and business center housing county offices and allowing them to become ADA compliant. This project received $100,000 in FY08, and funding of this request would complete the project. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is Custer County, Idaho, located at 801 Main Street, Challis, Idaho, 83226.

* The report contains $1,961,750 in the FHWA/Public Lands Highways account for the City of Rocks Back Country Byway Relocation, ID. This 16.7 mile long project is located on the popular City of Rocks Back Country Byway in Cassia County, Idaho, which provides the only direct access to the City of Rocks National Reserve. When fully completed, the project will pave a 1.0 mile gravel segment, reconstruct 15.7 miles of deficient roadway, correct deteriorated road and slope conditions, provide a wider road with shoulders and guardrail, and improve the road's alignment by reducing the number and severity of sharp curves and steep grades. These improvements will increase safety for the driving public and provide safer access for bicycle and pedestrian traffic. These improvements will also significantly reduce the amount of on-going maintenance required to keep the route usable. Previous federal funding, FY 1999 through FY 2008, totals $12,827,000 including $3.95 million in FY 2008. Full funding of this request in FY 2009 will complete the project. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the Idaho Department of Transportation, located at 3311 West State Street, Boise, Idaho, 83707-1129.

* The report contains $4,845,000 in the FTA/Buses and Bus Facilities account for Buses and Bus Facilities for the Idaho Transit Coalition. Funding for this project will be used to support essential transit systems in rural and urban areas of the State of Idaho. This project meets the criteria of the FTA's Section 5209 Capital Program and has been funded by the Committee since FY 2002. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the Community Transportation Association of Idaho, located at 10480 Garverdale Court, Bldg. 4, Suite 804A, Boise, Idaho 83704.

* The report contains $475,000 in the FHWA/Interstate Maintenance Discretionary account for the I-84, Broadway Avenue to Gowen Road Widening, Boise, ID. Funding will be used for design of the project to add a third east and westbound lane between Broadway Avenue and Gowen Road on I-84. With funding, the project will be ready for construction in FY10 in conjunction with the State of Idaho's Connecting Idaho projects in the Boise area. Improving I-84 through Boise and the surrounding area is a priority for the State of Idaho. In FY 2008, $1.5 million was appropriated for the I-84 Interchange at Broadway Avenue that precedes this project, which is required to alleviate congestion and safety issues caused by the continued fast growth in the Treasure Valley. This project is included in the I-84 Boise Corridor Study adopted by the Idaho Transportation Department and the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) Boards in October of 2001 and part of the COMPASS Regional 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan, approved in 2006. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is the Idaho Department of Transportation, located at 3311 West State Street, Boise, Idaho 83707-1129.

* The report contains $475,000 in the FTA/Buses and Bus Facilities account for the Treasure Valley Transit Facilities, Meridian, ID. This project will fund site location and required environmental analysis for up to one administration facility and/or up to four bus transfer centers to improve transit services in western Ada and Canyon Counties, Idaho. The development of transit facilities is a recommendation in the regional transit plan which characterizes these transit centers as crucial to the success of the transit system. These facilities will support regional public transportation services in the area. $9.5 million was authorized in SAFETEA-LU for the Boise Multi-Modal Center (MMC). This project is part of the same system and is included, as is the MMC, in the regional capital facilities plan for transit in the Treasure Valley. This project is the next phase of development. Funds to date include $288,000 in the FY2008 Appropriations Bill for site location and the start of the environmental analysis. Matching funds for this year total $125,000. This request is consistent with the intended purpose of this account.

* The entity to receive funding for this project is Valley Regional Transit, located at 830 N. Main Street, Meridian, Idaho 83642.

* I appreciate the opportunity to provide a list of Congressionally-directed projects in my district and an explanation of my support for them.

* (1.) $254,000 for NW Center for Small Fruits in Corvallis, OR

* (2.) $650,000 for Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee

* (3.) $176,000 for the Nez Perce BioControl Center

* (4.) $926,000 for the Tri-State Predator Control Program

* (5.) $514,000 for the Barley for Rural Development Project

* (6.) $235,000 for the Cool Season Legume Research Project

* (7.) $603,000 for Increasing Shelf Life of Ag Commodities

* (8.) $349,000 for Potato Cyst Nematode Research

* (9.) $1.037 million for Potato Research (CSREES)

* (10.) $8.294 million for Potato Cyst Nematode Eradication

* (11.) $1,000,000 for the Idaho Meth Project

* (12.) $350,000 for the Boise Center Aerospace Laboratory (BCAL) Watershed Modeling Utilizing LiDAR; Idaho State University

* (13.) $350,000 for the Improved hydrologic modeling of water resources for snow-dominated regions; Boise State University

* (14.) $880,000 for Criminal Information Sharing Alliance Network (CISAnet); Idaho State Police

* (15.) $5,000,000 for Rural Idaho water projects; Eastern Idaho Regional Wastewater Authority

* (16.) $1,427,250 for Boise City Geothermal System Expansion; City of Boise

* (17.) $2,498,639 for the Idaho National Laboratory Center for Advanced Energy Studies; Idaho National Laboratory

* (18.) $951,500 for the Idaho Accelerator Center Production of Medical Isotopes; Idaho State University

* (19.) $200,000 for a research and economic development and entrepreneurial initiative; Boise State University

* (20.) $200,000 for a business development center, Capital City Development Corporation

* (21.) $250,000 for City of Lava, Wastewater Improvement (STAG)

* (22.) $150,000 for Rexburg Historic Westwood Theater (SAT)

* (23.) $2,000,000 for Land Acquisition for Henry's Lake ACEC (LWCF)

* (24.) $500,000 for the Upper Snake/South Fork of the Snake River ACEC (LWCF)

* (25.) $250,000 for the Idaho Sage Grouse

* (26.) $333,000 for Idaho Early Literacy Project; Lee Pesky Learning Center

* (27.) $285,000 for Dental services for low-income children; Idaho Caring Foundation for Children

* (28.) $285,000 for ARTKade; Idaho Falls Arts Council

* (29.) $143,000 for Life skills instructions programs for at-risk youth; Life's Kitchen Inc.

* (30.) $333,000 for Idaho Oral Health Institute; Idaho State University

* (31.) $285,000 for The Discovery Center of Idaho exhibits and outreach; Discovery Center of Idaho

* (32.) $285,000 for College of Southern Idaho Pro-Tech Training Program; College of Southern Idaho

* (33.) $285,000 for Children's Health Services Expansion; St. Luke's Regional Medical Center, Ltd

* (34.) $381,000 for Madison Country Memorial Hospital Construction and Renovation Project; Madison County Memorial Hospital

* (35.) $190,000 for Idaho SySTEMic Solution program; Boise State University

* (36.) $285,000 for Custer County to purchase middle school building

* (37.) $1,961,750 for the City of Rocks Back Country Byway

* (38.) $4,845,000 for the Idaho Transit Coalition for Buses and Bus Facilities

* (39.) $475,000 for I-84 Broadway Avenue to Gowen Road Widening

* (40.) $475,000 for the Treasure Valley Transit Facilities

END

Source