Schrader Announces $62 Million Approved to Fully Repair the Tillamook Bay South Jetty and Protect Oregon's Fishermen

Press Release

Schrader Announces $62 Million Approved to Fully Repair the Tillamook Bay South Jetty and Protect Oregon's Fishermen
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Washington, January 26, 2022 | 0 comments
Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-05) is proud to announce the Tillamook Bay & Bar Project at the Port of Garibaldi has been approved for $62 million by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to repair damages to the South Jetty's head and trunk. The funding for this critical safety project long championed by Congressman Schrader will largely come from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Congressman Schrader strongly supported and played a significant role in helping become law.

Both the North and South Jetties have long been a problem. The North Jetty was repaired back in 2010, but due to the extreme disrepair of the South Jetty, those repairs began to fail. The Army Corps recently entered into a contract last October to begin repairing the North Jetty. The continued deterioration of these jetties poses a serious safety hazard, making it a longtime federal funding priority for Congressman Schrader, Tillamook County Commissioners, Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, Oregon Public Ports Association, the U.S. Coast Guard and many other organizations throughout the region.

The funding is included in the Corps' Operations & Maintenance Work Plan 2022-23.

"Tillamook Bay is among Oregon's best fishing locations, but the deteriorating condition of the South Jetty poses a serious danger to our local fishermen and has warded off commercial fishing companies from using the Port of Garibaldi. Its condition was also affecting the North Jetty causing even further damage to an already dangerous situation. I have been working for years to secure the funding needed to fully repair the Tillamook South Jetty, and I am thrilled the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers included this crucial project for Oregon's 5th Congressional District in the work plan," Rep. Schrader (OR-05) said. "The $62 million I secured in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will finally bring both jetties back into good condition and provide safe entrance and exit for all users. Having both of the jetties fixed will be a tremendous victory for our coastal communities and will help protect lives and the businesses who depend on safe operations in this area. Thank you to the Port of Garibaldi folks for their hard work to get this project realized, the U.S. Army Corps for recognizing the critical need, and the many stakeholders who advocated for this much needed infrastructure project."

"The Port of Garibaldi has been working very hard with our partners and elected officials to secure the needed funding for the South Jetty project. Restoration of the Tillamook Bay jetty system is critical for the continued economic sustainability and growth of the entire region and safety of all commercial and recreational users of Tillamook Bay," said the Port of Garibaldi.

While Congressman Schrader is pleased the Tillamook Bay & Bar Project will receive funding, he is calling on Congress to fully fund the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at the levels they passed to ensure our states and local governments can address backlogged projects.

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