Latta, Brown, Portman Applaud U.S. Army Corps Decision to Reprogram Funds to Blanchard River Flood Risk Management Project
Press Release
Today, Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green), along with U.S. Senators Brown and Portman, applauded the decision of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to reprogram funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 for the Blanchard River Flood Risk Management Project (BRFRMP).
"I am pleased to see that USACE has identified these funds and made this project a priority by reprogramming funds for the remainder of the fiscal year," said Latta. "As I have repeatedly emphasized to the USACE, finishing the Chief's Report is critical to work towards project completion, as flooding within the region are both safety and economic issues that directly impact Findlay, Hancock County, Ottawa, Putnam County, and all interested stakeholders."
"It is good news for the Ottawa and Findlay communities that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has identified more funds for the Blanchard River Flood Risk Management Project," Brown said. "These funds are a step in the right direction, however, more work needs to be done. That is why I will continue to work with my Congressional colleagues to put pressure on USACE until the project receives the necessary resources for its completion."
"The Blanchard River Flood Protection project is critical for the region's economic future, and I am happy that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers responded to our calls to identify funds to provide a lifeline for this project to continue," said Portman. "Much work remains to solve the communities' problems, and the USACE needs to complete its Chief's Report by the end of 2014 and incorporate all public input in order to help communities like Findlay and Ottawa in overcoming flood mitigation challenges."
The project was converted to the USACE 3x3x3 planning process last year. The $20,000 of reprogrammed funding from USACE will be used towards completion of the Chief's Report, which must first be completed before the project can progress.
Earlier this month, Latta, Brown, and Portman, sent a letter to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy urging USACE to review available funds that could be reprogrammed for the BRFRMP.
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