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SENATE APPROVES FUNDS
FOR OREGON NATURAL RESOURCE PROJECTS
Wyden, Smith secured dollars for forest management,
wildlife refuge improvement and other projects
June 29, 2005
Washington, DC – U.S.
Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) today announced
full Senate approval of more than $9 million in funding for Oregon
natural resource projects in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2006, and
approval of an additional $2.5 million for projects in which Oregon
will participate. After the passage this evening by the Senate,
the Fiscal Year 2006 Interior Appropriations bill moves to a conference
committee to work out differences between Senate and House versions
of the legislation.
“The economies of Oregon’s
rural communities will benefit from these funds, and these dollars
will go a long way toward preserving Oregon’s natural beauty
and many water resources,” said Wyden. “Ensuring efficient
management of resources and responsible environmental stewardship
means that Oregon’s natural treasures and thriving tourist
industry will be around for many years to come.”
“This bill is a Federal
commitment to Oregon’s small towns and rural way of life,”
said Smith. “The natural resource projects included in this
legislation strike a good balance between environmental stewardship,
scientific study and economic stimulus.”
Following is a list of Oregon
projects funded by the bill:
• The Fish and Wildlife
Service would receive $6 million for the acquisition of the Barnes
tract property as part of the Upper Klamath Lake National Wildlife
Refuge. The funding would also be used for the restoration of
both the Barnes tract and the Bureau of Reclamation Agency Lake
Ranch, in addition to the construction of a connection between
the parcel of land and the lake to aid in water storage for Klamath
Basin agriculture and wildlife.
• $1.6 million would
be provided for land acquisition by the Bureau of Land Management
on the Sandy River. This would assist in the creation of a free-flowing
river from Mt. Hood to the Columbia River Gorge.
• The Forest Service
would receive $1 million for the Hinkle Creek Paired Watershed
study to investigate the effects of contemporary forestry practices
on water quality, fisheries and aquatic habitat at the scale of
a complete watershed.
• $650,000 would be provided
to the Forest Service to acquire the 640-acre Mendieta tract,
which straddles one mile of the North Fork Owyhee National Wild
and Scenic River. The tract is the only parcel of privately-owned
riverfront property within the Owyhee Canyon lands conservation
area.
The bill also provides additional
funds that Oregon will share with other states:
• $2 million for land
acquisition in the Columbia River Gorge. The Columbia Gorge is
the second-most recognized Lewis and Clark attraction in the country.
Oregon will share in these funds with the state of Washington.
• $500,000 for land acquisition
for the Pacific Crest Trail. Oregon will share in these funds
with California and the state of Washington.
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