Committee Passes Commerce-Justice-Science Spending Bill with Funding for Dozens of Alaska Projects

Press Release

Committee Passes Commerce-Justice-Science Spending Bill with Funding for Dozens of Alaska Projects

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee today approved the Fiscal Year 2009 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations bill. This measure includes a series of provisions important to Alaska, including language sponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) that will provide funding for climate change research and law enforcement in Alaska.

"The CJS bill is crucial for Alaska because it supports projects essential to our oceans, fisheries, and weather forecasts. It also provides money to fight crime and help victims," said Senator Stevens. "Rising crime rates and climate change's impacts on our state are two issues that greatly concern me. This legislation provides millions for climate change research and more than $6 million for Alaska law enforcement related projects."

The measure contains funds for fishery surveys in Southeast Alaska, and research funds for Alaska king crab, ice seals, and Yukon River drainage fisheries. It also includes $90 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. Alaska is one of the five states eligible for grants from the fund. This bill would also provide $54 million for polar icebreakers.

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