Pelosi Announces Funding for Cleanup at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard
Contact: Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami/Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today announcing the inclusion of an additional $92 million for cleanup at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in fiscal year 2010. The fiscal year 2010 Military Construction-Veterans Administration appropriations bill, which was enacted on December 16th, required the Navy to provide Congress with details regarding how it would spend increased cleanup funds within 30 days.
"Completion of the cleanup of Hunters Point is long overdue. San Franciscans have waited almost 36 years for the Navy to fulfill its environmental remediation obligations at Hunters Point, while residents of the Bayview community continue to experience the highest rates of asthma, infant mortality and breast and cervical cancer in San Francisco.
"The Navy has specified that $28 million of the additional BRAC cleanup funds Congress provided in fiscal year 2010 will go to Hunters Point. When combined with the $47 million that was initially included in President Obama’s budget, as well as funds added to the Defense and Interior & Environment appropriations bills, the total amount for cleanup this year is $92 million, which represents a $10.7 million increase over fiscal year 2009.
"These additional funds will allow the Navy to stay on track to complete cleanup and transfer of the vast majority of the remaining parcels by 2013, including all of the areas necessary for the city’s extensive redevelopment plans to proceed. As a result, plans for new "clean and green" businesses and industry can move forward, creating jobs and economic opportunity for the Bayview community and putting the Bay Area in the forefront of the emerging green economy. The revitalization of Hunters Point will also mean new transit infrastructure, affordable housing and more than 400 acres of usable community open space, including playing fields for active recreation, wetlands restoration and a 13 mile waterfront trail.
"On behalf of my constituents in San Francisco, I want to thank Congressman Chet Edwards (D-TX), Chair of the House Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, for his leadership in providing funds to accelerate BRAC cleanup efforts. I would also like to thank Congressman John Murtha (D-PA), Chair of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, for including additional funds for Hunters Point in the Defense appropriations bill at my request."