Historical Detail of $163 Million in Federal Funds for the Construction Phase of the Caño Martín Peña
Statement
Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón, together with Governor Pedro Pierluisi, representatives of the ENLACE Project Corporation and personnel from federal and state agencies outlined the following phases to begin construction of the Caño Martín Peña restoration project, after the approval of $163 million by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
Also present at the press conference were San Juan senators Henry Neuman and Nitza Morán; District 1 Representative Eddie Charbonier; the secretary of the Department of Housing, William Rodríguez; the secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, Rafael Machargo Maldonado; the president of the Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, Ing. Doriel Pagán; and the director of the Caribbean Environmental Protection Division of Region 2 of the Environmental Protection Agency, Carmen Guerrero.
On behalf of the USACE Antilles Office were the head of the Construction Division of the District, Maricarmen Crespo and MAJ Jesus Soto, Deputy Commander of the District; Virtually, engineer Brenda Calvente, Chief of the Antilles Integrated Projects Office, Programs and Project Management Division, and Tim Murphy, chief of project management, both from USACE's Jacksonville District, were present.
"For decades, we have seen how sedimentation and congestion in the flow of the Caño, in addition to the deterioration of the quality of life, contribute to frequent flooding in the area, which directly impacts about 26,000 residents in 8 surrounding communities, and up to to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. It will lose the $163 million announced this week, for which we have worked and advocated for years, will restore the circulation that once existed between San Juan Bay and San José Lagoon, restoring the ecosystem in the project area, and providing relief to communities," said the resident commissioner.
"During the eight years that I was in Congress as Resident Commissioner, I made multiple efforts, with great achievements, in favor of the Caño Martín Peña dredging project. In the past, former Governor Luis Fortuño, as Resident Commissioner broke the initial authorization from Congress to study the feasibility of dredging, and currently Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González has been key in getting us here today celebrating the start of this important project. for their communities and the environment. This shows that when you work as a team, the results are evident," said Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi.
"Even before I was elected governor, I promised to declare the Caño Martín Peña project as a Priority Project of my administration. For this reason, the execution of the necessary works to make it viable will be supervised from my own office and we will ensure that the work that corresponds to our Government will be carried out with the agility and efficiency that it requires," added Pierluisi, who allocated $130 million in ARPA funds. for potable, sanitary and pluvial infrastructure.
"The EPA was very happy to hear about the new funds to support the 8 communities of Caño Martín Peña. The perseverance of these communities has resulted in real victories for the health and well-being of their people, including this latest infusion of much-needed money to do much-needed cleanup and dredging work in the canal," said Lisa F. Garcia. , EPA Region 2 Administrator. "The Bipartisan Infrastructure Act provides transformative opportunities to address serious environmental and health disparities with commitment from all levels of government and in close collaboration with those who know the issues best: the people who live and work in communities like Caño Martín Peña. ".
"The Corps of Engineers is honored to be part of this historic achievement for the Caño communities. Certainly, we know what this achievement means for all of them, especially for those who live directly on the Caño. We highly value your trust and sincerely appreciate your continued support. We look forward to continuing to partner with all local and federal entities to implement this important ecological restoration and environmental justice project," said LOC James L. Booth, District Commander, USACE Jacksonville District.
"It is extremely important for the communities of the Caño Martín Peña the announcement of funds amounting to $163 million for the dredging and channeling works of the Caño. But it is important to emphasize that this is the result of hard work.and the struggle of the communities and the alliances forged with the various sectors - government, private sector, academia. When the communities unite and organize themselves, the governments can work in a different and creative way in the solutions of the Country", express spokespersons of the ENLACE Project.
What does the $163 million settlement do?
The consideration of $163 million allows to begin the construction phase in the Caño, which includes dragging of the channels and will result in a significant change for the communities.
"Now the Corps of Engineers, together with the ENLACE Corporation and the Department of Natural Resources of Puerto Rico, will define the construction contracts, finalize the details of the project and then begin the construction and ecosystem restoration work. We have already achieved the modification and selection of the project, which is the key piece and without which the construction could not proceed," said the congressman.
Like the rest of the Corps of Engineers' projects, the Caño requires a matching agreement. In this case, 65% federal and 35% non-federal, which falls on ENLACE and the Government of Puerto Rico. The $163 million is the federal portion.
The project was originally authorized by Congress through section 5127 of the Water Resources Management Act, known as WRDA, in 2007, estimating then that it will have a total cost of $150 million, but for a decade no funds had been approved for construction as such.
Under the 2020 WRDA, the commissioner worked with her colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to increase the maximum authorized cost to $255,816,000, highlighting the updated estimates. This was a key effort for the project to remain viable and thus allow the availability of funds under the new infrastructure law to be identified as a meritorious use for them.
The funds for the removal of $165 million for the Caño project come from the Bipartite Infrastructure Law, known as BIF, approved at the end of last year and where other priorities of the commissioner for improvements to the island's infrastructure are collected. and the struggle of the communities and the alliances forged with the various sectors - government, private sector, academia. When the communities unite and organize themselves, the governments can work in a different and creative way in the solutions of the Country", express spokespersons of the ENLACE Project.
What does the $163 million settlement do?
The consideration of $163 million allows to begin the construction phase in the Caño, which includes dragging of the channels and will result in a significant change for the communities.
"Now the Corps of Engineers, together with the ENLACE Corporation and the Department of Natural Resources of Puerto Rico, will define the construction contracts, finalize the details of the project and then begin the construction and ecosystem restoration work. We have already achieved the modification and selection of the project, which is the key piece and without which the construction could not proceed," said the congressman.
Like the rest of the Corps of Engineers' projects, the Caño requires a matching agreement. In this case, 65% federal and 35% non-federal, which falls on ENLACE and the Government of Puerto Rico. The $163 million is the federal portion.
The project was originally authorized by Congress through section 5127 of the Water Resources Management Act, known as WRDA, in 2007, estimating then that it will have a total cost of $150 million, but for a decade no funds had been approved for construction as such.
Under the 2020 WRDA, the commissioner worked with her colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to increase the maximum authorized cost to $255,816,000, highlighting the updated estimates. This was a key effort for the project to remain viable and thus allow the availability of funds under the new infrastructure law to be identified as a meritorious use for them.
The funds for the removal of $165 million for the Caño project come from the Bipartite Infrastructure Law, known as BIF, approved at the end of last year and where other priorities of the commissioner for improvements to the island's infrastructure are collected. and the struggle of the communities and the alliances forged with the various sectors - government, private sector, academia. When the communities unite and organize themselves, the governments can work in a different and creative way in the solutions of the Country", express spokespersons of the ENLACE Project.
What does the $163 million settlement do?
The consideration of $163 million allows to begin the construction phase in the Caño, which includes dragging of the channels and will result in a significant change for the communities.
"Now the Corps of Engineers, together with the ENLACE Corporation and the Department of Natural Resources of Puerto Rico, will define the construction contracts, finalize the details of the project and then begin the construction and ecosystem restoration work. We have already achieved the modification and selection of the project, which is the key piece and without which the construction could not proceed," said the congressman.
Like the rest of the Corps of Engineers' projects, the Caño requires a matching agreement. In this case, 65% federal and 35% non-federal, which falls on ENLACE and the Government of Puerto Rico. The $163 million is the federal portion.
The project was originally authorized by Congress through section 5127 of the Water Resources Management Act, known as WRDA, in 2007, estimating then that it will have a total cost of $150 million, but for a decade no funds had been approved for construction as such.
Under the 2020 WRDA, the commissioner worked with her colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to increase the maximum authorized cost to $255,816,000, highlighting the updated estimates. This was a key effort for the project to remain viable and thus allow the availability of funds under the new infrastructure law to be identified as a meritorious use for them.
The funds for the removal of $165 million for the Caño project come from the Bipartite Infrastructure Law, known as BIF, approved at the end of last year and where other priorities of the commissioner for improvements to the island's infrastructure are collected.
Source