Funding would create natural sciences facility

A bill that recently passed through both houses in Congress will appropriate $1 million to the UA to create a building for the study of earth science and environmental programs.

The $30.5 billion spending measure, called the fiscal year 2006 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, would give $1 million to the UA for construction of the Environment and Natural Resources Phase II Facility, according to the Library of Congress Web site.

The congressional funding was secured by Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, who said the facility is part of the UA's long-term effort to promote interdisciplinary research focusing on earth science and environmental programs, according to a statement released by Kolbe's office.

In addition to the UA facility, the bill also includes more than $13 million for water projects in Southern Arizona, according to the statement.

"I am pleased to have secured funding for the University of

Arizona's new environment and natural resource facility this year," Kolbe wrote. "It will help U of A promote research focused on earth science and environmental programs. By continuing to expand the university's capacity, we will keep the U of A at the forefront of science research."

This is especially good news for the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, which will relocate to the facility after waiting for a permanent location since 1937, said Thomas Swetnam, director of the laboratory.

When the laboratory was founded, it was moved into its "temporary" home in Arizona Stadium almost 70 years ago, Swetnam said.

The current location "between the snack bar and the end zone" where bleachers form part of the ceiling, is ill suited for the scientists and the laboratory must be completely shut down when games are being held, Swetnam said.

"It's a new day for us," Swetnam said. "The new facility is being designed for our needs."

Because the facility is still in its planning stages, it's unclear whether the building will be an addition to the existing Dennis DeConcini Environment and Natural Resources building or a separate building adjacent to it, according to the UA's Facilities Design and Construction Web site.

The DeConcini building, 520 N. Park Ave., houses the National Weather Service, the southwest field offices for the U.S. Geological Survey and a federal agency that researches environmental, mineral and underground water resources.

The new building will house the Earth Surface Processes Research Institute, which is a collaborative effort between the UA and the U.S. Geological Survey, the UA's Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, Office of Arid Lands Studies, Institute for the Study of Planet Earth and the Southwest Integrated Research Laboratory, according to the Facilities Design and Construction Web site.

Facilities Design and Construction estimates show the project will cost $45.4 million.

Kristin Kanthak, an assistant professor of political science who teaches a class on the U.S. Congress, said while the bill has not been signed by President Bush yet, it's almost as good as law.

"Given that President Bush hasn't made any noises about a veto and that there's a veto-proof majority in both houses, it seems unlikely that he'd veto the bill." Kanthak said.

She said appropriations bills are common at the end of the year, noting Science, State, Justice and Commerce Appropriations recently passed a bill with funding for Southern Arizona Projects.

"Late November or early October is Christmastime for Congressional districts with members on Appropriations. This is when most appropriations bills pass and they always have nice presents for the constituents of those who serve on the committee," Kanthak said.

Leslie Tolbert, the vice president for Research, Graduate Studies and Economic Development, and Joaquin Ruiz, the dean of the College of Science, were out of town this week and unavailable for comment.

Swetnam said there is no official date to when the building will open because the UA is still identifying additional sources for funding the building, but they hope to be in the new building within three years.