WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman John P. Murtha, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a $121.1 billion fiscal year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Bill that includes funding for two local projects.  The House and Senate conferenced this bill, which must now be passed by the full Senate before heading to the President for his signature.  The House passed the bill 263-162.  

The Agriculture Appropriations Bill provides $200,000 for Natural Biodiversity, Cambria County, to continue their efforts to restore stream-bank habitat and improve water quality in the Kiski-Conemaugh River Basin and adjacent areas.  This award-winning project has restored over 100 acres of recreation areas and stream banks that had previously been overgrown with non-native, invasive plant species.  This funding will allow them to expand these efforts, provide technical assistance to private efforts to eradicate invasive species, and to explore the potential of creating a nursery for native species for these wetland areas.

“Natural Biodiversity has a successful track record of restoring local habitats and raising awareness within our community about the effects of invasive plant species,” said Murtha.

The appropriations bill also provides $372,000 for the Penn State University Enhanced Dairy Farm Profitability Program. This program will study issues and problems that affect and reduce the profitability of our nation’s dairy farmers and will provide technological solutions to improve profitability by addressing issues with energy costs, compliance with air and water quality regulations, poor herd reproductive performance, and herd health.

“In recent years, the U.S. dairy industry has benefited from higher milk prices and growing demand,” commented Murtha.  “But milk prices have plummeted in this tough economy, while feed and other costs remain high.  Farmers are hurting, and by capitalizing on the expertise of Penn State faculty and staff, we can develop ways to improve the profitability and sustainability of dairy farms.”

The FY10 Agriculture Appropriations Bill makes key national investments in:

• Nutrition Programs: $82.8 billion, including mandatory funding, for domestic nutrition assistance.

• Rural Development: $2.98 billion for USDA programs important to rural communities including rural housing, water projects, community facilities and economic development efforts.  These programs not only sustain our rural communities, but also create new opportunities for growth and development in small town economies.

• Animal and Plant Health: $909.7 million to fund programs that protect American agriculture against animal and plant diseases.

• Dairy Assistance: $350 million to provide assistance to the nation’s dairy farmers who are struggling due to historically low prices.

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