Washington -- The full Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies FY08 Appropriations Bill, which includes $600,000 for Great Lakes Basin Soil and Erosion Control. 

The bill will now proceed to the Senate Floor as the next step in the appropriations process.  Schumer and Clinton worked closely with members of the Appropriations Committee to include funding for the project in this year’s spending bill.

The Great Lakes Basin Soil and Erosion Control project is designed to prevent soil, nitrogen, and phosphorus from entering the Great Lakes and regional waters by reducing soil erosion and controlling sedimentation.  Sediment from agriculture is a major contaminant in drinking water.  Funding for this project will be split between New York, Minnesota, and Michigan.   

Now that the bill has been approved by the full Senate Appropriations Committee, it will be sent to the Senate floor. Following approval by the Senate, the bill will move towards Conference with the House and then to the President for signature.

New York Senators Schumer and Clinton announced approval of the funding.