U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) announced today that the House of Representatives has provided $2.75 million for PRIDE to continue its valuable environmental initiatives in southern and eastern Kentucky. Rogers secured this important funding to promote environmental volunteerism and education, as well as important water treatment efforts in the region. These funds were approved this summer during consideration of three separate federal appropriations measures.

“I applaud Congress for approving this important funding. PRIDE has made a significant difference throughout our region as it cleans up our land and restores our countryside to its natural beauty,” said Rogers. “PRIDE has empowered Kentuckians to value the breathtaking landscape and rid our forest, rivers, and roads of litter and trash. Today in our classrooms, because of PRIDE’s important education programs, our children are taught the value of personal responsibility, conservation, and taking care of the environment that surrounds them. Southern and eastern Kentucky will also benefit from the vital water treatment funding which is part of our ongoing effort to eliminate straight pipes and failing septic systems so that our citizens have access to safe, sanitary water.”

PRIDE, which promotes Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment in 38 counties, was launched by Rogers and the late General James Bickford, former Secretary of the Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet. To date, PRIDE has recruited more than 287,000 volunteers logging over 1 million volunteer hours, provided 28,089 homes with access to sanitary wastewater treatment, and cleaned up 135,884 tons of trash. Since this program’s inception, Rogers has secured over $195 million for PRIDE and PRIDE-related sewer and water infrastructure projects.

The 2010 PRIDE funding passed by the House of Representatives includes:

• $1 million for stream clean-ups, debris removal, recycling efforts, stream monitoring and habitat improvement initiatives was included in the FY 2010 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations bill which passed on June 18, 2009.
• $1.5 million for water infrastructure projects to be administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in southern and eastern Kentucky was included in the FY 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill which passed on July 17, 2009.
• $250,000 for environmental education and awareness programs in local schools was included in the FY 2010 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill passed on July 24, 2009.

These legislative measures await further action by the U.S. Senate.

Through his role as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rogers works to secure valuable funding for important initiatives in the Fifth Congressional District.