U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) announced that the Interior appropriations bill he co-authored and that was approved by the Appropriations Committee today will fund a number of conservation efforts across Tennessee, including increased funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and several water and wastewater projects in Tennessee communities.  The bill would provide $20.4 million in base operations funding for the Smokies, an increase of $1 million over last year.

"It's my privilege to serve as ranking member for the Interior Subcommittee, especially considering that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park," said Alexander, who is the senior Republican on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, which funds national parks, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  "Funding in this bill will help improve and preserve many aspects of our great American outdoors, both in Tennessee and across the country."

The bill must now be considered by the full Senate.

The  Fiscal Year 2010 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill includes funding for the following projects:

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