U.S.
Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that
the Senate has approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Military Construction and
Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, which includes a total of $84.5
million for projects at Fort Drum.
Now
that the bill has been approved by the full Senate, it will go into
conference with the House version before going back to the Senate and
House and on to the President.
“Fort Drum is a fast
growing base and this funding will vastly improve the infrastructure to
improve conditions for the brave men and women stationed there,” said
Schumer. “We’ve cleared another hurdle in the appropriations process,
and are that much closer to ensuring that the world-class troops at
Fort Drum have the best facilities and latest equipment available.
These funds will reaffirm Fort Drum’s leadership at the forefront of
defense for New York and the Nation.”
“These
critical federal dollars will help to upgrade our military facilities
while creating good-paying jobs right here in New York,” said Senator
Gillibrand. “Creating jobs in New York is my number one priority.
This funding will strengthen our economic recovery efforts and ensure
our men and women in uniform have the very best facilities and
opportunities. They and their families have sacrificed for all of us
and owe them for their incredible service.”
The funding for Fort Drum will be allocated as follows:
$6.5 million for Water System Expansion
Funding
will be used to construct replacement water storage tanks with cathodic
protection systems. Storage is too low and pressure needs to be raised
to meet minimum distribution system water pressure standards. Funding
will change the existing pressure zones into five pressure zones,
replace Water Distribution Lines, and connect fire hydrants to the
existing potable water system.
$57 million for Barracks
Funding
will be used to construct standard design barracks to house 466
unaccompanied Soldiers. Facilities will include information systems,
fire protection systems and fire alarm control systems. Supporting
facilities will include water, sewer, electric, gas, paving, walkways,
storm drainage, site improvements and information systems.
$21 million for Transition Complex
Funding
will be used to construct a standard design Warriors in Transition (WT)
Complex to include WT Barracks, Soldier and Family Assistance Center
(SFAC), WT Administrative/Operations Facility and Special Foundations.
Supporting facilities will include all necessary utilities, lighting,
information systems, parking, sidewalks, roads, curbs and gutters,
storm drainage, site accessories, landscaping, and other site
improvements.