For Immediate Release

February 7, 2000

BUDGET REQUEST INCLUDES $105 MILLION
IN WASHINGTON STATE MILITARY CONSTRUCTION

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The replacement of the carrier pier at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and continued construction of facilities to accommodate the new C-17 aircraft at McChord Air Force Base were among $105 million in military construction expenditures in the Clinton-Gore Administration's budget request for the next fiscal year, U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks said Monday.

             Ten projects in Washington state were included in the submission of President Clinton's budget for Fiscal Year 2001, which begins Oct. 1, 2000, said Rep. Dicks, who serves on the House appropriations panel that determines the final level of military construction spending for next year.  He also noted that in the current year's budget, the Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee added an additional $37 million for high priority projects in Washington after the President's request was submitted.

             "Over the years, I believe it has been important that we have kept Washington State military facilities modern and efficient, and that we have paid attention to the quality of life for the military personnel stationed at our bases," Rep. Dicks said.  "Not only has it allowed these bases to remain high on the list of requested assignments, but it has also helped to insulate them from base closures," he said.

         The following construction projects are planned in the upcoming year in Washington State:

NAVY
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
Pier Replacement Increment 1 - $ 38,000,000
Chemical Metallurgical Laboratory - $  9,400,000
Oily Wastewater Collection Facility - $ 6,600,000

Whidbey Island Naval Air Station
Replacement of Junior Enlisted Homes - $ 16,873,000

Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific
Modification of explosives handling wharf - $ 1,400,000

AIR FORCE
McChord Air Force Base
Alteration of Nose Docks for C-17 aircraft - $  3,750,000
C-17 Squadron Operations Facility - $  6,500,000

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
Readiness Center / Armory, Bremerton - $  2,639,000
Readiness Center, Yakima - $  5,104,000

ARMY RESERVE
Army Reserve Center Maintenance Shop, Tacoma - $14,759,000

TOTAL WASHINGTON STATE - $105,025,000