Washington, D.C.- Today, Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA-03) announced funding for two key Cowlitz County projects has been included in the latest in a series of appropriations bills that will fund the federal government for the 2010 fiscal year. H.R. 3183 funds the Department of Energy, the Corps of Engineers, as well as other related agencies. The bill must still be passed by the Senate. "The eruption of Mt. St. Helens presented many challenges for surrounding communities, and resulted in an increase of sediment that ultimately led to an increase of flooding in the Cowlitz and Toutle River Valleys," said Congressman Baird. "Without this funding to study ways to control sediment and prevent flooding, more than 50,000 people and $3 billion of their property will be put at risk if flood protection isn't maintained."

Below are the projects that received funding in H.R. 3183:

· Mt. St. Helens Sediment Control Construction ($1,500,000)

• The funding will be used to continue sediment monitoring and gradation analysis, continue analysis of potential long-term alternatives for system-wide flood and navigation protection, evaluate fish passage alternatives at the sediment retention structure and provide incremental dredging to maintain levels of flood protection.

• The U.S. Army corps of Engineers was directed to maintain a certain level of flood protection for the Washington communities of Kelso, Longview, Castle Rock and Lexington. The funding is needed for routine activities connected with flood protection. This includes maintenance of the dam, reservoir, and service facilities.