- $400,000 will Pay for Water Quality Restoration -
- Federal Funding Helps Lower Burden on Local Taxpayers -

Washington, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives voted yesterday for final approval of $400,000 to improve the water quality of Lake Oscawana in Putnam Valley, NY. U.S. Rep John Hall (D-Dover) worked to insert the funding into the fiscal year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Bill. Without federal funding from Congressman Hall, the Town of Putnam Valley would have had to pass along the entire cost of this expensive equipment on to local taxpayers. The bill also provides funding for public health, food safety, supporting rural communities, and conservation efforts. Its funding is tightly targeted towards high priority needs: eliminating 5 wasteful federal programs and cutting funding for 35 more.

The funding was passed by the House originally in July and has been included in the House-Senate conference report on Agriculture Appropriations. The House-Senate conference report passed the House yesterday by a vote of 263 to 162. The Senate is expected to pass the bill next week and then will be signed into law by President Obama.

Hall visited Lake Oscawana in May to view the problem firsthand and meet with local community leaders to discuss solutions. It was out of these discussions that Hall committed to seek funding to fix the water quality problems facing the lake.

"This funding will allow us to save Lake Oscawana." Hall said. "The lake is at the heart of Putnam Valley and is a valuable resource. Without this federal funding, the lake will die."

Lake Oscawana's water quality has been declining for the past forty years, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recently concluded that remedial measures need to be taken without delay. Federal funding will support the rehabilitation plan commissioned by the Lake Oscawana Civic Association (LOCA). The plan calls for removing existing phosphate in the lake and preventing new phosphate from entering the lake by constructing storm-catch basins and storm drains to capture phosphate from storm runoff.

LOCA President Stephen Axinn thanked Hall for his support, saying: "I want to express our appreciation to Congressman John Hall for his outstanding assistance and support in providing Congressional approval for funding to help us restore Lake Oscawana as a precious resource and asset for us and for all New Yorkers.  When he learned of our concerns, Congressman Hall familiarized himself with the problems confronting our lake and then rolled up his sleeves and successfully fought to gain the necessary funding to permit the implementation of the steps needed to restore the lake."

"These projects are shovel-ready, and will put Hudson Valley residents to work in good paying jobs," said Congressman Hall. "Together with the economic recovery package, projects like these will help rebuild the Hudson Valley economy, protect local taxpayers, and protect the regions valuable natural resources."

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