WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today urged the Army Corps of Engineers to include funding for Presque Isle State Park in its Fiscal Year 2012 budget. In a letter to Assistant Secretary to the Army Jo-Ellen Darcy, Senator Casey highlighted the economic and environmental benefits Presque Isle provides Northwestern Pennsylvania.
“This project is crucial to the economy in Northwestern Pennsylvania,” wrote Senator Casey. “During these difficult economic times, we need to make targeted investments in projects that will spur economic growth. An investment in the Presque Isle project will do just that.”
Inclusion of the project in the fiscal 2012 budget is crucial given the uncertainty of funding in 2011. Last year, Senator Casey secured $1,000,000 for Presque Isle in a draft of the fiscal 2011 budget considered in the Senate. Appropriations bills were blocked at the end of last year.
In his letter, Senator Casey notes that the park attracts over four million visitors annually and is the top attraction for Erie’s tourism economy.
Senator Casey also highlighted the important role that Presque Isle plays in reducing flood damage and protecting a bird sanctuary.
The full text of the letter is below:
Dear Assistant Secretary Darcy:
The purpose of this letter is to highlight the important role that Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pennsylvania, plays in northwestern Pennsylvania’s economy. To that end, I respectfully request that you include funding for Presque Isle in your fiscal 2012 budget recommendation.
Presque Isle State Park is a 3,200-acre sandy peninsula that arches into Lake Erie. The site draws over four million visitors annually for a variety of recreational activities and is the top attraction for Erie’s tourism economy. While the economic benefits of this project are well known, it is also important to note that Presque Isle plays an important role in reducing potential flood damage. Presque Isle is also essential to sustaining and protecting a unique ecosystem and a distinct bird sanctuary.
The beaches at Presque Isle continually battle storm erosion and require annual sand replenishment. To address this problem the Army Corps and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources jointly administer a sand replenishment program. In fact, it is my understanding that the Corps has been working to prevent erosion of the Erie shoreline since 1824. Inclusion of this project in the President’s fiscal 2012 budget will help ensure that Presque Isle continues to benefit the Erie region’s economy. I respectfully request that you prioritize this project in fiscal year 2012 and work to include it in the President’s Budget.
This project is crucial to the economy in northwestern Pennsylvania. During these difficult economic times, we need to make targeted investments in projects that will spur economic growth. An investment in the Presque Isle project will do just that. Thank you for consideration of my views.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
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