NEWS RELEASE

Ocean View Receives Over $4.9 Million from USDA

Ocean View, DE April 15, 2005 –  Congressman Mike Castle joined Local Cub Scout Pack 280 to commemorate the 35^th anniversary of Earth Day at John West Park in Ocean View.  Although they were celebrating Earth Day one week early, it didn’t matter to the many Federal, State and local officials who were on hand to witness the announcement of $4,930,000 presented to the Town of Ocean View.  The funding will help construct a new water system for the portions of town that are not currently served by central water.

 “Millions of people across the globe gather together each year to celebrate Earth Day – an extraordinary commitment to the environment and to our future.  In announcing this $4.9 million to enable the Town of Ocean View to provide safe, potable water to residents, reduce the risk of fire as a result of water availability, and help foster a responsibility toward water conservation, we are paying tribute to land and water conservation.  But Earth Day should not just come every April, we need to work together as a community to ensure our resources are protected, and not exploited, and that we can truly pass on an environmental legacy to the next generation,” said Congressman Mike Castle.

In prepared statements from both of Delaware’s U.S. Senators --  “Nothing is more important than providing folks with safe and clean drinking water – it’s just that basic,” said Senator Joe Biden.  “This funding will allow us to construct a new, more centralized water system for area residents not currently connected to a reliable and clean source of water.” 

“This money from the USDA will go a long way in ensuring that the residents of Ocean View have access to safe, reliable drinking water and improved fire fighting ability,” said Senator Tom Carper.  “In a fitting connection with Earth Day on April 22, this funding will also help to improve the environment by encouraging water conservation through the use of water meters.”

USDA Rural Development is providing 100% of the financing needed for the construction of a central water system in the form of a low interest loan in the amount of $3.8 million at 4.25% interest for 40 years and a grant in the amount of $1.13 million.  The project will provide central water to the remaining unserved portions of town, or approximately 666 homes.  “For small rural towns no problem can be more complicated and costly than to provide access to safe drinking water,” said Marlene Elliott, USDA Rural Development State Director.  “It is what we are called to do at Rural Development -- to work closely with rural communities to help them overcome their challenges and to give them a means to improve the quality of life for their rural residents.”

There are just over 1,000 full-time residents in Ocean View that enjoy the benefits of living within close proximity of the Atlantic Ocean, Indian River Bay, Assawoman Canal and White’s Creek, but living on the Peninsula can also present poor water quality issues.  For years, residents have been served by a combination of water from nearby Bethany Beach, Tidewater Utilities and private wells.  “A municipal water system will do much to ensure the health and safety of Ocean View property owners.  The media just informed us that some wells within our Town limits have high nitrate levels; unfortunately, many of us do not check our wells often enough to even know let alone correct unhealthy elements in our well water,” said Mayor Gary Meredith.  “A public water system is subject to Federal and State regulations that require constant monitoring to ensure that its water is healthy.  The advantages of fire hydrants that accompany a public water system are obvious; the nearby fire company has endorsed the concept of a public water system for this very reason and will welcome their installation.”

  The Town will be seeking bids within the next few months for the construction of a water system that will eliminate the private wells and connect all residents to a safe, reliable source of water.  The project is expected to take about a year and the cost of water is estimated between $400-$500 per year depending on the number of gallons used. Once the system is available, homeowners will have a one-year period to connect to the system.   

Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at the State Office by calling (302) 857-3580, or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

###

“USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.”

To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.,

 Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).