ORMA News 2002
September 2002, Summary of Dredging Update Meeting of 09/20/02
April 2002, Summary of Dredging Update Meeting of 04/09/02
January 2002, Dredging Update
September 2002--Summary of Dredging Update Meeting of 09/20/02
Summary of Dredging Meeting 09/20/02
As you know, thanks to last year's legislation, the Corps must now provide a channel 9 feet deep and 200 feet wide pursuant to federal mandate. In addition, as you recall, the remaining money that was appropriated as part of the original project was redirected to help pay for this new project.
Since last year's appropriation, the Corps has been conducting all necessary environmental impact, feasibility, cost-estimate and federal interest studies. These studies have been paid for from the remaining redirected monies (approx $437,000), and are required before any project like this can begin. Initially, the Corps had indicated that they hoped to have these prepared by June. They have modified this estimate, and now expect the have the studies completed by February of 2003.
It should be noted that because of last year's legislation (changing the federally designated channel to 9 feet deep and 200 feet wide), the Corps is now obligated to dredge the channel. However, this would be considered an "unfunded mandate," leaving the Corps with the discretion to complete the project whenever their funding might permit. Congressman Davis is not willing to wait for the Corps to make his constituents a priority, and therefore has been working to secure a direct appropriation for this vital project. By securing directed funding, we can help ensure that the Corps complies with the federal mandate as expeditiously as possible.
Congressman Davis has managed to secure funding in the House Energy and Water Appropriations Bill for 2003. The bill has passed the full committee, but must be voted upon by the entire House. While we do not anticipate any problems at this point on the House side, it remains unclear when and if this bill will be voted on, or whether it will be included in an omnibus spending bill later this year or early in 2003. Both the House and Senate are likely to postpone action on all appropriations bills except Defense and Military Construction (instead passing Continuing Resolutions that maintain FY02 spending levels) until after the November elections, and possibly even longer.
On the Senate side, there is no money appropriated for the project in the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Bill for 2003 at this time. This presents a small problem; however, the issue can be worked out in conference. The important step for the community is to contact Senators Allen and Warner and let them know that you support fully funding the Occoquan Dredging appropriation. Congressman Davis has been in contact with the Senators, and our staffs have been in contact as well. Although these Senators will probably not be budget conferees, they will be able to press upon their colleagues to include the full amount of funding. In addition, Congressman Davis will be in direct contact with the Senate side to ensure that this funding is included. In light of Senators Allen and Warner's strong reputations for constituent service, as well as Congressman Davis' strong working relationship with the Senate, we are confident that this will be resolved favorably.
In addition, members of the community should begin to start thinking about places to deposit dredged materials. As we have mentioned in the past, there is a 10% local cost share component to this project. This portion can be "in kind" in the form of a donated location for spoil.
Any questions or concerns regarding our efforts should be directed to Michael May, of Congressman Davis' staff, at 703-590-4599.
April 2002--Summary of Dredging Update Meeting of 04/09/02
As you are all aware by now, Congressman Davis was able to get the resubmitted dredging language through Congress and singed by President Bush. As part of that language, the former "Occoquan Creek" is now federally designated as the "Occoquan River." In addition, the river channel must now be maintained at a 9-foot depth a 200-foot width up to the Rt. 1 Bridge. In addition, the remaining money that was appropriated as part of the original project was redirected to help pay for this new project. The Corps of Engineers is now required by federal mandate to use this money for costs associated with dredging of the Occoquan only (including not only the dredging itself, but also associated studies and planning).
The Corp plans to dredge from the Rt. 1 Bridge all the way out to the Potomac Channel.
To move forward, the Corps has spent approximately $437,000 on environmental studies, applicable regulations and a cost-estimate study. These pre-dredging requirements should be completed by early June of this year.
In speaking with the Corps, they have given us a preliminary estimate of $4.5 million dollars to fully complete the project. This is only an estimate and a high-end one at that. We should have a definitive price tag for the project in June.
Congressman Davis will make a push to include specifically earmarked monies in the FY 03 Energy and Water Appropriations bill in order to complete this project. We may have to get some money in FY 03 and then come back in FY 04 for more. The project can, however, be done in phases. The dredging cycle is from October to February, so work will actually begin this year, provided we are able to secure funding in the FY 03 Energy and Water Appropriations bill.
As you are aware, there is a 20% non-federal matching requirement for this project. 10% is in kind contributions (ie a place to put the spoil) and 10% is matching funding. These funds can come from a combination of local, state, private, non-profit and other monies (essentially, anything besides federal dollars). Congressman Davis and his staff are working to try to get a waiver of the 10% matching requirement such that only a 10% in kind contribution would be required. We will update as soon as we know whether this is possible.
In the meantime, each of you can begin talking in your respective communities to see what might be available in the way of in kind contributions. This can be any number of things. In fact, we will be speaking with VDOT to see if the spoil might possibly be used for wetlands mitigation in association with the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project. There is, however, no urgency, as we must wait for the outcome of the Corp's analysis in June.
Our next update meeting will likely be in late June. We may have representatives from the Corps at that time to discuss further what may be required at the local level. Should you have any questions in the meantime, please call Michael May at 703-590-4599.
January 2002--Update on the Dredging of the Occoquan as of 1/08/02
Happy New Year! The following is a summary of the latest actions that have taken place with regard to the Occoquan Dredging Project:
Congressman Davis was able to get the dredging language approved in both the House and the Senate as part of this year's Department of Defense Appropriations Bill. We are now awaiting the President's signature, which is forthcoming in the very near future (perhaps today).
The language calls for a new federal designation of the Occoquan River (by federal mandate, it is no longer referred to as "Occoquan Creek"). The Corps of Engineers must now maintain a federally designated channel with a nine-foot depth throughout, and a two hundred-foot width up to the Route 1 Bridge. (After the Route 1 Bridge, the width requirements change to one hundred and fifty feet.).
The remaining money that was appropriated as part of the original project last year has been redirected to help pay for this project. The Corps of Engineers is now required by federal mandate to use this money for costs associated with dredging of the Occoquan only (including not only the dredging itself, but also associated studies and planning).
The Corps has been informed of these developments.
Within the next week, Congressman Davis will be sending the Corps a letter citing the new federal language and requesting a NEPA (Environmental Impact) study. He will also request that the Corps begin preliminary cost estimates of the project as soon as reasonably practicable (in light of War on Terror, the Corps has many other pressing assignments at present).
We are hopeful that the Corps can do the NEPA study before the next dredging cycle (Oct-Feb).
Once we get a rough estimate as to the costs, the localities should begin to discuss the local cost component of the project. As mentioned in previous updates, this local requirement is twenty percent of the cost. As much as half of this local cost component (ten percent) may come from in-kind proffers (Please note that "local" in this case can be state, county, town or a combination thereof-essentially anything besides federal monies)
Once the Corps does a preliminary cost estimate (assuming there are no environmental problems), we will schedule an update meeting to begin to discuss the local side of the project.
Should you have any questions on any of the above items, please feel free to contact staff members Michael May at 703-590-4599 or Barnaby Harkins at 202-225-1492.