FUNDING FOR TWO AREA LAKES IN APPROPRIATIONS BILL

The U.S. House has passed a funding bill for two Southeast Missouri lake projects.

U.S. Rep. BIll Emerson said a total of $470,000 had been earmarked for projects at Wappapello Lake near Puxico and at Clearwater Lake near Piedmont in the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 1992.

The Wappapello funding is for $360,000 to provide detailed designs and cost estimates for altering roads round the lake that are prone to flooding, said Emerson.

The Clearwater funding is for $110,000 to continue studying the effects of raising the level of the lake, thus increasing the surface area of Clearwater Lake.

"I am pleased that my colleagues in the House agree with me on the importance of these two projects," said Emerson. "At Wappapello, there has been an ongoing dilemma for folks on how to get around when high lake levels flood their county and state roads. Simply put, this situation poses a serious danger for those residents, emergency response vehicles and school buses."

The funding for Clearwater will allow the Army Corps of Engineers to continue its study on the effect of raising the lake level, said Emerson.

"Local residents have expressed a desire for increasing the lake surface area," said Emerson. "Specifically this money will help determine the costs and benefits associated with lake level changes. We want to make sure there are no hidden negative impacts.

The funding bill now goes to the U.S. Senate.