Utah share of federal cash: $250 million

WASHINGTON — Utah's congressional delegation is still adding up the Utah-bound dollars in the omnibus appropriations act that now awaits the president's signature.

But it is becoming clear that the Beehive State will rake in roughly $250 million, much of it for road and water projects, environmental cleanups and research at Utah universities.

"These projects represent important economic and health and safety needs for people throughout Utah. The money supports high-priority projects underway that contribute to a better quality of life for all of us here," said Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah.

According to information collected by the offices of Matheson and Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, the larger Utah appropriations include:

• $9.9 million for University of Utah and University Medical Center light rail.

• $8 million for the Ogden-to-Salt Lake commuter rail.

• $20 million for water-conservation projects related to drought relief.

• $48 million for the Central Utah Project, including $15 million for fish, wildlife and conservation.

• $7.8 million to continue environmental remediation of the Atlas uranium mill tailings site near Moab.

• $5 million to the University of Utah as part of a partnership to support the Stockpile Stewardship Program, charged with maintaining the safety and reliability of the nation's nuclear weapons in the absence of underground nuclear testing.

• $19 million to Utah counties as payments in lieu of taxes.

• $3.2 million for sage grouse recovery.

• $3 million for environmental compliances related to oil and gas development on federal lands.

• $10.9 million for various Utah reservoirs managed by the Bureau of Reclamation.

• $3.5 million for a poisonous-plant laboratory in Logan to address the impact of the plants on livestock and for bioterrorism research.

The bill also includes dozens of small appropriations for everything from Mormon cricket control to money to look into the problem of chronic wasting disease. About $1.7 million alone goes to study bees and bee pollen at Utah State University.

There are plenty of highway projects that spread the money around the state. $2.5 million will go toward an I-15 interchange in St. George, and another $1 million for the Northern Corridor, also in St. George.

There is $3 million for work on Highway 6, often billed as Utah's most dangerous highway. There is $1.5 million for reconstruction of 1300 East in Sandy, $5 million for I-15 reconstruction in Salt Lake County and $1 million for I-15 reconstruction in Utah County.