The 2010 Interior & Environment Appropriations Act, adopted by the Senate on Thursday, includes funding for several significant wildlife habitat projects in Virginia:

• $1 million to the James River National Wildlife Refuge to acquire a critical piece of private land that resides within the refuge boundary. The James River Refuge was established in 1991 to protect habitat for bald eagles, and today is the East Coast’s primary roosting sites.

• $500,000 for the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge to acquire the 265-acre Bowers tract at Fones Cliff, a critical habitat for bald eagles. This acquisition will allow the Refuge to create hiking trails, provide historic interpretation relating to the Captain John Smith National Water Trail, and ensure public access to the spectacular Fones Cliff area.

• $545,000 for the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, a project which has protected the watershed from development in Virginia Beach and has proven to be a tremendous resource for the region.

• $500,000 for the Great Dismal Swamp Wildlife Refuge to acquire land for the construction of a new visitor’s center to replace the current outdated and hard-to-reach facility. The Great Dismal Swamp Refuge is an economic engine, generating over $12.3 million in direct and indirect spending through tourism and other initiatives.

• Additionally, Senator Warner worked to support $13 million for the National Rural Water Association to provide communities in small and rural communities with the technical assistance to ensure quality, safe drinking water in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.