Wyo Delegation reacts to decision on AML funds
by Wyoming Delegation
May 8, 2008
(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, John Barrasso and Representative Barbara Cubin, all R-Wyo., today issued the following statements regarding the Office of Surface Mining’s (OSM) decision that $51 million in abandoned mine land funding will be available for projects approved by the Wyoming Legislature:
“I am pleased Wyoming will get more money from the federal government than ever before. The $51 million was Wyoming’s money to begin with and should never have been held captive for this long. I worked long and hard for its release,” Enzi said. “The hoops the feds have forced Wyoming to jump through are uncalled for, however. The Wyoming delegation is continuing work to stop the bureaucratic madness and get Wyoming’s future money without all the red tape.”
“Wyoming is finally set to receive the $51 million in AML funds we’re rightfully owed,” Barrasso said. “We shouldn’t have to justify our expenditures to bureaucratic bean counters in Washington. It is unfortunate that we had to jump through so many hoops.”
“These funds belonged in Wyoming’s hands a long time ago. When I first pulled together the many and varied stakeholders on this issue in July of 2005, I knew we were finally moving toward the goal line. It is gratifying to know that after all those years of my hard work and bi-partisan negotiation these dollars can now be spent for the betterment of Wyoming and her citizens. AML is no longer a four letter word in our state,” Cubin said.
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