NEWS RELEASE

United States Department of Agriculture • Rural Development

1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE  19904

Phone: (302) 857-3580 • Fax: (302) 857-3640 • TDD: (302) 857-3585 • Web: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov

 

 

Contact:

Kathy Beisner (302) 857-3582

 

Earth Day Reminds Us of the Critical Role USDA Can Play

 

            Mount Savage, Md., April 26, 2010 – As America pays tribute to the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day, it’s good to reflect on the real, positive affect USDA’s water and wastewater program and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) are having on Allegany County.  U.S. Congressman Roscoe Bartlett and USDA Rural Development State Director Jack Tarburton joined Allegany County officials and other federal representatives, today to highlight $10.2 million in funding that includes $5 million in Recovery Act funds. 

 

Congressman Bartlett said, “As a result of this $10.2 million USDA project, families in Mount Savage will no longer have to struggle with assistance from members of the Volunteer Fire Company to enjoy safe and reliable drinking water.  A desire to improve water quality was a driving force behind the first Earth Day.  This grant is part of USDA’s commitment to make clean water a reality for Americans who live in our heartland rural areas like Mount Savage in Allegany County.”

 

The funding will assist Allegany County Government in providing clean, reliable water service to 450 homes in Mount Savage.  The Mount Savage Water Company currently serves 225 homes while another 225 are on private wells.  Some of the private wells have poor water quality, which has at times necessitated the Mount Savage Volunteer Fire Department to haul water to serve the residents. The funding will allow Allegany County to assume the Water Company and bring the system up to current standards to serve all 450 homes; water will be supplied by the City of Frostburg.  In addition, while the streets are being disturbed by the water project, the County foresees this as the appropriate time to upgrade and repair aging sewer lines in the Jennings Run Sanitary District. 

 

“Helping rural communities provide safe, clean drinking water and sanitary disposal of wastewater has been the calling of Rural Development for many years,” said Tarburton.  “This is a great return of federal taxpayer dollars coming back home to help rural communities provide a service that is beyond the local reach.”

 

The $10.2 million project is being funded by a $4.7 million USDA Rural Development grant, a $4.2 million low-interest USDA Recovery Act loan, $815,000 Recovery Act grant from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and a $400,000 Community Development Block Grant administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

 

 "This important project to protect the public health of citizens in Maryland is a high priority for the Department of the Environment," said Jay Sakai, MDE Director of Water Management.  "MDE is most grateful to its sister agency, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and USDA Rural Development for the ongoing State-federal partnerships that allow us to better serve Mount Savage and many other communities in Maryland.  We also want to recognize the tireless efforts on the part of our Congressional Delegation to bring funding to Maryland for these critical infrastructure improvements."
                                                                                                            

“This was a wonderful team effort at the federal, state, and local level,” said James Stakem, Allegany County Commissioner.  “The citizens of Mount Savage will benefit from the new water and wastewater project. The water shortage problem will be solved. Allegany County wants to acknowledge the Maryland Department of the Environment, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, and the USDA Rural Development. This project certainly exemplifies that USDA Rural Development is an entity truly committed to the future of rural counties.”

 

            USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. In 2010, the agency provided more than $421 million to rural Maryland. USDA Rural Development funds more than 40 programs that support agriculture, business opportunities, home ownership, home repair, rental housing, broadband technology, public safety, health care, education, community facilities such as libraries, schools and day care centers, and energy-related projects.  Additional information on rural programs is available by calling their office in Hagerstown at (301) 797-0500 ext. 5 or by visiting 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, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).