Little Calumet River gets $24 million from feds

BY SUSAN BROWN, Times of Northwest Indiana
sbrown@nwitimes.com

HAMMOND | As expected, the U.S. House late Wednesday approved a new round of federal funding that includes $24 million for the Little Calumet River Flood Control and Recreation Project.

The $24 million includes a $10 million boost from the original $14 million funding request. In recent days as the funding request wound its way through the U.S. House, U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., urged the Indiana Legislature toward similar action on the local match required to finish the levee system.

"I have always ensured that every penny needed from the federal government is available to complete the project and will continue working hard to uphold my end of the agreement," he said. "I am confident that, given the urgency of this matter, the state will provide the necessary funding to complete this vital project without any further delay."

In announcing the bill's passage Thursday, Visclosky said Northwest Indiana legislators are working together and in conjunction with Gov. Mitch Daniels to secure local funding for the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission so the commission can access the $24 million.

William Baker, of Munster, vice chairman of the Little Cal commission, said Visclosky's consistent support is appreciated and recognized by everyone involved. "It's imperative that this gets done in a timely manner," he said. "We're very appreciative of the federal dollars to move forward."

The new federal dollars are earmarked to keep the project on track for completion within two years, but because of the terms of the local agreement between the Little Cal commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baker said the new influx of federal dollars will not offset the commission's need for a projected $13.5 million in state funding.

"We still need the local match," Baker said. "Everybody just assumed the federal money is going to be there. The focus is on the funding mechanism from the local aspect."

The local dollars need not come only from the Legislature, Baker said.

The city of Gary and the town of Munster, for example, have contributed in the past to the local match. Recently, the commission's treasurer, Kent Gurley, a Hammond resident, made a personal appeal to the Hammond City Council for a contribution from the city's gaming dollars.

In addition, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. and City Councilman Dan Repay have proposed creative tax-based incentives.

Baker said alternative funding ideas are welcome from residents as well.

"I'm open to anybody's ideas," he said.