WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02), member of the House Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, announced today the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations approved the Fiscal Year 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations bill which included $13 million to construct a new U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) boat station in Cape May, as well as $750,000 for Atlantic County to consolidate its emergency services.
The $13 million included in the annual appropriations bill will enable the USCG to replace Boat Station Cape May with a new state of the art facility which will house staff and will include garage space to store and overhaul small boats and aids to navigation. More than 50 years old, the current boat station was never intended to accommodate the electronics and service members needed to carry out the missions Boat Station Cape May is tasked. LoBiondo and Admiral Thad Allen, the Commandant of the USCG toured the facility and discussed its condition on April 21 of this year
“For decades Boat Station Cape May has needed an upgrade to its facility to help guarantee the success of its many crucial missions including port security, search and rescue, fisheries safety, and drug interdiction. This funding will improve the safety of USCG personnel at the boat station, and will go along way to improve the safety and security of our waterways in southern New Jersey,” concluded Rep. LoBiondo.
The bill also provides $750,000 for Atlantic County to consolidate and improve the county’s disparate emergency dispatch and management centers into a single existing building able to withstand wind storm and other natural hazards.
“I am very pleased the bill includes this important funding for Atlantic County. This project will help save lives by improving the county’s ability to manage and respond to natural disasters and other emergencies,” said Rep. LoBiondo. “This is another good example of the federal government partnering with local government on projects to help ensure the safety of our community”.
“This funding will enhance the safety of Atlantic County residents in the event of an emergency,” said Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson. “I thank Congressman LoBiondo for his hard work and dedication to the residents of our county”.
The Fiscal Year 2009 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill which contains the funding for Boat Station Cape May and Atlantic County now awaits action by the full House of Representatives.
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