WASHINGTON, D.C.–Last night, the U.S. Congress passed the Omnibus Appropriations bill for FY2003 which includes funding for energy and water programs. Senators Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) worked closely on the bill to obtain funding for numerous projects in Oregon including over $16 million for the Klamath Project.
"These funds are critical for anyone whose livelihood depends on natural resources," said Smith.
"They provide for everything from salmon restoration to help for fishermen. Hey also help ensure that we meet our obligations to farmers and all those who depend on reliable water for their economic survival."
"The projects Senator Smith and I advocated in this bill are designed to aid Oregon farms and fish, the environment and the economy all at the same time," said Wyden. "I'll be pleased to see these Federal funds on the ground in the Klamath Basin and all across our state."
The Klamath Project provides water for irrigators in the Klamath Basin, as well as Klamath Falls. Almost $6 million was added to the Klamath Project's budget with language directing that it be used to fund screening of the "A" Canal to protect the juvenile suckerfish population from getting trapped in the canal. In addition to the Klamath funding, Oregon projects in the bill include:
* $16.3 million for the Columbia & Lower Willamette River below Vancouver, Washington and Portland to accomplish routine maintenance dredging of the Federal deep draft navigation channel, to evaluate sediment quality and to perform studies on impacts of dredging on endangered species
* $9.2 million for the programs at the mouth of the Columbia River to accomplish routine maintenance dredging, prepare a maintenance report on the project jetty system, provide for deep water disposal of dredged material and conduct environmental studies
* $2 million for the Columbia River Channel Deepening Project, which would allow for the construction of nine ecosystem restoration features and wetlands mitigation, would provide research activities for salmon recovery and put in place facilities and activities that will monitor the dredging for any environmental effects
* $875,000 for the Deschutes Resources Conservancy, a federally chartered organization which addresses water and ecosystem related conflicts in the Deschutes Basin. The Conservancy brings together Federal, state, tribal and local governments with private stakeholders to carry out basin-wide ecosystem restoration.
* $650,000 for the Walla Walla Watershed to make fish passage improvements in the Walla Walla River
* $8 million for Willamette Temperature Control to provide scheduling flexibility to accommodate the migratory cycles of anadromous and native fish species
* $600,000 is provided to the State for oversight activities related to the Hanford site in Richland, Wash.
* $2 million for operations and maintenance at Depoe Bay
* $5.8 million for Columbia Treaty Fishing Sites
* $5.5 million for Coos Bay
* $315,000 for Tillamook Bay and Bar Restoration
* $1.3 million for the Deschutes Project, Bend Feed Canal, Tumalo Irrigation District
* $250,000 for the Rogue River Project, Savage Rapids Dam to complete planning, engineering and design of electric irrigation and water pumps at Savage River Dams
* $1 million for Elk Creek Lake
* $1.45 million for Yaquina Bay and Harbor
* $1.6 million for Tillamook Bay Restoration
* $600,000 for Willow Lake Natural Treatment System in Salem
* $588,000 for Detroit Lake
* $526,000 for the Columbia River between Vancouver and the Dalles
* $566,000 for the Port of Siuslaw Maintenance Dredging
* $450,000 for the Port of Gold Beach Maintenance Dredging in the Rogue River
* $390,000 for the Port of Brookings Harbor Maintenance Dredging in the Chetco River
* $330,000 for the Port of Bandon Maintenance Dredging in the Coquille River
* $325,000 for Skipanon Channel for annual maintenance
* $300,000 for the Umatilla Basin Project Phase III
* $266,000 for the Tillamook Ecosystem Project
* $249,000 for Willamette Environmental Dredging
* $150,000 for Willamette Flood Plain Restoration
* $100,000 for the Willamette Basin
$ $100,000 for lower Columbia Bank Restoration
$ $100,000 for Amazon Creek
The bill will now be sent to the president for his signature.
