WASHINGTON - A subcommittee has included more than $5 million for the St. Johns New Madrid Floodway Flood Control Project in Mississippi County.
The Subcommittee studying the Fiscal year 2004 Energy and Water Appropriations Act approved $5,500,000 in funding for the project which would provide flood control for East Prairie and neighboring communities and pay for additional flood control easements.
The project is one of 18 initially approved for Southeast Missouri.
U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson praised the funding. "The water projects in this legislation would greatly benefit constituents in Missouri's Eighth District," Emerson said. "The Eighth District has more Mississippi River frontage than any other congressional district in the nation. Flood protection, drainage and floodway maintenance are key to protecting the lives and property of Missouri residents and neighbors."
Funds must still be approved by the Appropriations Committee before being sent to the full House.
Other area projects approved by the Subcommittee include:
* $500,000 for New Madrid Flowage easements;
* $450,000 for St. Johns-New Madrid box culverts;
* $5,999,000 for general maintenance and highwater road relocation (Highway D) at Wappappello Lake;
* $75,000 to Lilbourn for a feasibility study on the town's flooding problems; and
* $50,000 at Duck Creek in Stoddard County for project modifications that will bring improvement to the environment.