Kathy Beisner (302) 697-4300
(302) 270-5767
SMITH ISLAND, MD August 24, 2004 – Three tiny communities, Ewell, Rhodes Point, and Tylerton, make up Smith Island that is located in the Chesapeake Bay and home to approximately 350 residents. For over 18 years the declining solid waste incinerator on the main island of Ewell has been used to burn much of the trash that accumulates across the approximate 200 acre parcel of upland land.
Tuesday morning, Federal and County officials took the 12 mile trip from the mainland in Crisfield across the Tangier Sound to announce $200,000 in federal funds on Smith Island that will be used to replace the worn out incinerator and make improvements to the incinerator’s building that has deteriorated from the salt water environment. “Trash pickup is something most of us take for granted, and hardly give it a second thought. But for residents of a tiny island, it can be a very big deal. Waste disposal is a key infrastructure issue for the future of Smith Island,” said Congressman Wayne Gilchrest.
A USDA Rural Development solid waste disposal loan in the amount of $100,000 and a $100,000 grant was provided to Somerset County Commissioners to help the Island residents maintain the tranquility and beauty that the Island offers. The saying at Rural Development, “Committed to the future of rural communities,” rings true today said Marlene Elliott, Rural Development State Director. “We’re committed to preserving Smith Island’s heritage and improving their quality of life,” said Elliott. “For the past 3 ˝ years, the Bush Administration has devoted its Rural Development resources to helping rural communities with their most pressing needs and the new incinerator will provide an environmentally sound solution to an everyday life problem.”
The Island incinerator is frequently in need of repairs and is often out of service. For more than a year the County Commissioners have been paying on average an extra $3,000 a month to haul accumulating trash by barge to the mainland in Crisfield so that it could be properly disposed of at the landfill in Westover, MD. “The USDA funding has come at the right time,” said Samuel Boston, President, Somerset County Commissioners. “Tropical storms, Hurricanes and approaching winter months reduce the amount of trips that can be made to the Island.” The new incinerator is expected to be replaced by next summer.
USDA Rural Development has over 40 programs that can help people living in rural areas or rural communities. They have programs that can help people buy, build, rent or repair a home. Programs that can help with the start-up or expansion of a business and programs, that can help with water and waste improvements and essential community facilities or services for health, safety, social and cultural needs.
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 can be obtained by visiting the USDA Rural Development website at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov or by calling the Rural Development office that serves Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester Counties at 410-632-0616, ext. 4.
###
USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to:
USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410.