U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire has included language in a 2010 energy and water bill that would make the $13 million North Park Lake restoration project eligible for a small amount of additional federal funding -- if extra money should prove to be needed.

"[T]here is every reason to expect that this project will be completed on time and on budget," the McCandless Democrat said in a statement. "However, in case there are unforeseen cost increases, I wanted to make sure that this project would have a shot at securing additional funding."

Mr. Altmire and Democratic Sen. Bob Casey had helped to secure almost $5 million in federal funding for the "ecosystem restoration project."

The maximum federal contribution for such projects is $5 million. Mr. Altmire's provision in the water and energy bill would allow project sponsors to seek the final $20,000 to $30,000 in federal money that would bring the support level to $5 million.

"Every little bit is important," Tess Mullen, a spokeswoman for Rep. Altmire, said.

Mr. Altmire's action puts the North Park project on a list for priority consideration but does not guarantee that it would receive any additional federal dollars.

The Water and Energy Appropriations Act passed the House on Oct. 1. Senate action on the measure could come by the end of this week.

Plans call for draining North Park Lake and then removing as much as 350,000 cubic yards of drying sediment from the lake bottom. The project is to be completed and the lake refilled by May 2011.

The emptying of the lake -- the largest body of water in Allegheny County -- began Sept. 8. Dredging and hauling away truckloads of sediment will start later this fall.

The 3,000-acre park covers portions of Hampton, McCandless and Pine.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.