U.S. Representative John Carter, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, with the Army Corps of Engineers today announced critical funding for the repair of Belton and Stillhouse Hollow lakes.  Belton Lake received $5 million and Stillhouse Hollow Lake received $4 million in federal money to repair damage to parks and recreational areas surrounding the lakes.

“I am pleased to announce this funding which will repair the damage to our lakes,” Carter said.  “Central Texas residents, businesses, and our servicemen and women at Fort Hood rely on the use of these lakes for recreation and to sustain the local economy.  With money in hand, our goal is to get these recreational areas completely repaired as soon as possible.  I was happy to work with the Corps of Engineers to bring this money back to Central Texas for such an important project.”

“This funding will allow the Corps to address damages that occurred as a result of the 2007 flooding at the lake,” said Dan Thomasson, with the Corps of Engineers.  “We regret that our park closures had a catastrophic impact on the local community and we welcome the opportunity to make the parks even better than they were prior to the flooding.”

The damage to Belton and Stillhouse Hollow Lakes was the result of excessive flooding that occurred in the summer of 2007.  According to the Corps of Engineer, repairs could be completed in about a year.  Funding was made available through H.R. 2642, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 and was signed into law on June 30, 2008.