"Each of these projects is important to sustaining and enhancing Maine's agriculture industry, which is a vital component of the state's economy," the Senators said in a joint statement. "We are particularly pleased that the bill enhances Aroostook County's access to federal economic enhancement grants."
• $178.757 million for the Hatch Act and $22.23 million for the McIntire-Stennis Act. These formula funds make available vital dollars for research in agriculture, forest resources, fisheries and aquaculture, and rural economic development throughout the country. More than 100 scientists in Maine, from a wide range of agriculture industries, benefit from a portion of these research funds.
• $51.3 million for Resource Conservation and Development districts throughout the country. This will restore funding to the Fiscal Year 2005 levels, ensuring that all five of Maine's Resource Conservation and Development districts will continue to be fully funded.
• $3.23 million for the ARS National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center in Franklin. Funds would be used for construction of facilities at the Aquaculture Center and for aquaculture research programs. Senators Snowe and Collins explained that as the harvesting of wild fish stocks is restricted, the support of our Nation's aquaculture industry is becoming increasingly important.
• $2.28 million for the USDA-ARS New England Plant, Soil, and Water Laboratory in Orono. These funds would support research related to cropping systems, efficient use of nutrients and water, and control of pathogens, insects and weeds—all of which would be of particular benefit to Maine's potato industry.
• $780,000 for the Wood Utilization Research Program at the University of Maine. Senators Snowe and Collins successfully secured a total of $6.4 million, at least $780,000 of which would be directed to the University of Maine. The goal of the project is to generate new technologies that are necessary to balance the sustainable use of our Nation's forest resources with the need to maintain a competitive, domestic forest products industry.
• $500,000 for the Aroostook County Round III Empowerment Zone. These funds will allow Aroostook County to implement economic growth plans.
• $246,000 for Wild Blueberry research. Grant dollars would be available for research into how Maine's blueberry farmers in the economically depressed Downeast region of Maine can maximize their crops, produce higher quality crops and minimize reliance on pesticides.
• $170,000 for Potato Variety Development Research for Maine. These funds are supported by the National Potato Council and the Maine Potato Board and would be used for critical research into new potato varieties that combine excellent quality with high yields and pest resistance.
Senators Snowe and Collins were also successful in including language in the bill to help the Aroostook County Empowerment Zone obtain competitive grant funding from the United Stated Department of Agriculture.
The bill will now be sent to the President's desk for his signature.
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