INOUYE ANNOUNCES HOUSE-SENATE CONFERENCE APPROVES $900,000 FOR ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FOR DESIGN AND PRECONSTRUCTION OF KAUMALAPAU HARBOR ON LANAI


Thursday, September 25, 1997


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye announced that the House-Senate Conference approved funding requests for various Hawaii projects, including $900,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers to complete preconstruction engineering and design activities at Kaumalapau Harbor, Lanai, Hawaii.

"I am quite pleased that the Conferees recognized the importance of this project to the residents and businesses of Lanai and the State of Hawaii. Rough seas and surge conditions make it very dangerous for barge traffic to enter and berth in the harbor. Approximately 200 feet of the breakwater have been lost since Hurricane Iwa in 1982. This funding should provide the necessary impetus for the Corps of Engineers, residents and businesses on the Island of Lanai, the State, and barge operators to begin resolving the safety concerns at the harbor," stated Senator Inouye.

The House-Senate Conference also approved $200,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers to undertake a reconnaissance study for a flood control mitigation project at Lualualei in response to the flooding that affected areas of Oahu last November.

$300,000 was provided to continue operation of the ocean thermal energy conversion system at Keahole Point, Kona, Hawaii.

Report language was also included supporting the proposal to upgrade the biomass gasifier on Paia, Maui. These provisions are included in the Fiscal Year 1998 U.S. Department of Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill.

Other projects include:

WATER PROJECTS:

Upon final approval by the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill will be transmitted to the White House to await President Clinton's signature.

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