Pallone: Congress Approves $2.9 Million for Two Sandy Hook Projects

Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) this weekend secured $2.9 million for two projects at Sandy Hook as part of a giant appropriations bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 that was approved by both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The New Jersey congressman requested the funds earlier this year.

Pallone secured $2.5 million for the James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory at Sandy Hook, $500,000 higher than what was included in the president's FY 2005 budget. The federal funds will allow researchers to continue their work on exciting, cutting-edge research on Bluefin Tuna stock identification, as well as preparing background data on essential fish habitat under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act for the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Regional Councils. The lab is also involved in identifying critical inshore coastal habitat for commercial and recreational fishery species for the Mid-Atlantic and Southern New England states.

"Since the fishing industry brings in millions of dollars to New Jersey's economy every year, it's important that we have the most up-to-date data on our fish populations," Pallone said. "The federal funds approved today will allow the James J. Howard Marine Services Laboratory to continue its invaluable work."

The New Jersey congressman also secured $400,000 for the construction of a docking facility at Sandy Hook. Plans for the new facility call for a breakwater and pier with marina floats. Pallone said water connections between the Gateway National Recreation Area sites are integral to the constructing of docks at the three units of the Area, forming a water-based circuit extending from the Statue of Liberty to the mouth of the harbor at Sandy Hook. The $400,000 approved by Congress this weekend follows an additional $1 million Pallone secured for the ferry project back in FY 2002.

"This passenger ferry facility will help serve the 2.5 million annual recreational visitors to Sandy Hook," Pallone said. " Alternative means of access to the recreational area are critical to cut down on vehicle emissions and reduce the environmental impact on park resources."

The funds were included in a giant $388 billion bill that combines nine appropriations bills into one omnibus bill funding domestic programs and foreign operations for FY 2005, which officially began on October 1, 2004. The legislation now awaits the president's signature.