WASHINGTON, D.C.–Last night, the U.S. Congress passed the Omnibus Appropriations Act for FY 2003 which includes funding for natural resources programs. Senators Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) worked closely on the bill to obtain funding for numerous projects in Oregon. The bill now goes to the White House for the President's signature.
"These funds are crucial to supporting Oregon's community-based environmental priorities," said Smith. "With this support, Oregon's cities and counties will have the means necessary to pursue innovative approaches to conserving our natural resources."
"These projects are a good mix of environmental and economic efforts for our state. They protect our natural resources while supporting hardworking Oregon communities," said Wyden.
Below is a list of projects in Oregon being funded by the bill:
* $1 million to improve fish passage in watersheds in Clackamas County
* $500,000 for the Lake Labish Restoration Project for acquisition of 26 acres of forest near Detroit, along the North Santiam River
* $140,000 for the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex (including the Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge) to help restore areas within the coast complex, which hold a high value for salmon and migrating and wintering waterfowl and shorebirds
* $600,000 for the Columbia River Estuary Research Program (CORIE) to support research concerning the health of the river, flooding management and controlled oil and other hazardous substance spill response
* $5 million for land acquisition in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area to support the Lewis and Clark landscapes project
* $2.5 million to maintain and protect the scenic and whitewater areas in the Illinois Wild and Scenic River regions
* $2.5 million for the purchase of sensitive land along the Sandy River
* $3.4 million to purchase land with streams where salmon and steelhead thrive in the Siuslaw National Forest
* $3,545,000 for the Pacific Northwest (PNW) Assistance Fund, which provides grant funds to rural timber-dependent communities and to help leverage other federal, state and local funding for rural communities.
* $1,044,000 to the National Park Service to replace the headquarters building at the Oregon Caves
