House Funds Blumenauer Projects for Oregon
Statement
Oregon appropriations include funds Infrastructure, Education, Energy Research, Elder Care, and Protection and Preservation of Oregon's Environmental Treasures
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1105, the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act. Below are Rep. Blumenauer's statement and a list of his requested projects for Oregon which are funded in this bill.
Rep. Blumenauer's Statement:
"I am pleased that with this bill we have refocused on the pieces that matter. We have a government spending package that reflects the priorities of Oregonians."
"Funding for projects such as the Portland Streetcar Loop and the South Corridor I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail Project will renew our streetcar and light rail, create jobs, and decrease congestion."
"By providing for an office to defend against the victimization and exploitation of our elderly, this funding will help us better protect Oregonians in need."
"Our state will receive funds to provide job training and employment services to Oregon's veterans. Those who have sacrificed their health in the service of our nation must not be left behind."
"Also included in this bill is funding to preserve our state's natural beauty to better ensure that it can be protected for generations of Oregonians to come."
Rep. Blumenauer's Funded FY09 Appropriations for Oregon:
T-HUD South Corridor I-205/Portland Mall Light Rail Project $81,600,000
This project would fund the 8.3 mile TriMet light rail extension from downtown Portland to the Clackamas Regional Center. The project is authorized in SAFETEA-LU and is included in the President's fiscal year 2009 budget.
T-HUD Streetcar Loop, Portland, OR $45,000,000
This funding would create a new streetcar loop that connects the existing streetcar line to the Lloyd District, the Central Eastside, and OMSI. It would also fund the purchase of new streetcars manufactured at an Oregon-based and Oregon-owned company.
T-HUD Columbia River Crossing, OR $3,325,000
The Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River and its approaches cause the worst traffic congestion in the Portland/Vancouver metro region and are one of the key bottlenecks on the I-5 trade corridor. The Columbia River Crossing project will significantly reduce congestion and improve safety while increasing mobility, reliability, and accessibility for all users. This funding, if secured, will be used for preliminary engineering to support any of the bridge options currently under consideration by the region.
CJS COPS Meth Clackamas County $200,000
These funds would expand a nationally recognized methamphetamine prevention program by integrating resources from a variety of enforcement agencies to address both adult and juvenile initiatives to reduce drug abuse.
CJS Family Justice Center City of Portland
$300,000 The Family Justice Center will provide domestic violence victims a safe place where they can gain access to support services from advocates, intervention specialists, and prosecution and law enforcement personnel, all in one location.
CJS Elder Abuse position in district attorney's office Multnomah County $275,000
This funding would create a position for a specially trained prosecutor within the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office to investigate and prosecute cases involving the victimization and exploitation of the elderly.
CJS Klamath River Fish Disease Research OSU $640,000
The funds would be used for research and testing to reduce an ecologically and economically devastating parasite in endangered salmon on the Klamath River.
Labor - HHS -Ed Gatekeeper Project Multnomah County $48,000
Funding would support a project that identifies at-risk older adults and people with disabilities - a fast growing population and provides volunteers to help them access critical social services.
Labor - HHS -Ed Oregon Electronic Health Records (EHR) Improvement Project State of Oregon $285,000
Electronic health records have been shown to decrease health care costs, improve quality, reduce medical errors, and reduce redundant care. Funding for this project would provide physicians in rural and community clinics with technical support and software to create and maintain electronic health records.
Labor - HHS -Ed Working for Independence Clackamas County $381,000
This request seeks funding to expand Clackamas County's Working for Independence job training and employment service programs to include veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and/or traumatic brain injury.
Agriculture Bioremediation of Munitions Bioremediation Research Center $111,000
This bioremediation project provides research into the use of special grasses to absorb soil contaminants produced by explosives. These grasses are then eaten by sheep, where the contaminants are digested by anaerobic bacteria into innocuous compounds.
Agriculture Northwest Small Fruits and Stone Fruits Research Northwest Center for Small Fruits $254,000
The Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research is a research consortium between Oregon State University, Washington State University, University of Idaho and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The funding will be used for research to enhance the sustainability and profitability of the Pacific Northwest berry and grape industry.
Agriculture Multi-Commodity Research, OR Oregon State University $244,000
This project enhances Oregon's competitiveness and expands the economic value-added component in Oregon agricultural products through research and outreach in food processing, product development, business strategy, marketing, and consumer testing.
Agriculture Organic Cropping Research for the Northwest Oregon State University $140,000
These funds would go towards research directed at problems facing organic agriculture and will enhance Oregon agriculture's competitiveness in the market.
Agriculture Steep IIIWater Quality in Northwest Oregon State University $444,000
This research provides a base for an agricultural research and extension education partnership to address agricultural production and environmental issues in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
Interior-Environment Land Acquisition for Sandy River/OR Natl. Historic Trail Western Rivers Conservancy $1,350,000
This request would purchase about 77 additional acres from willing sellers along the soon-to-be free-flowing Sandy River that supports four endangered salmon and steelhead runs.
Interior-Environment Timberline Lodge Facilities Improvement Timberline Lodge $200,000
The funding would be used to redesign and replace the Lodge's outdated plumbing lines that threaten to harm the historic Lodge and its ability to bring safe water and heat to visitors.
Interior-Environment Columbia River Gorge Land Acquisition Friends of Columbia Gorge $2,000,000
The funding would purchase 97 acres of available land with high conservation value from willing sellers for the Forest Service and keep it preserved as part of the Gorge National Scenic Area.
Energy-Water Columbia River Channel Improvements Columbia River Channel Coalition $34,451,000
This funding would substantially complete the deepening of the Columbia River navigation channel from 40 to 43 feet in order to accommodate the deeper-draft cargo ships that comprise a growing share of worldwide shipping fleets. The project would also enhance or create 2,000 acres of fish and wildlife habitat.
Energy-Water Lower Columbia River Ecosystem Restoration LCREP $1,435,000
The funding would be used to collect and monitor water, sediment, wildlife, and fish tissue in order to reduce toxins along 146 miles of the Columbia, and to educate consumers in preventing further Columbia River pollution.
Energy-Water Beaver Creek Culvert Replacement Multnomah County No amount; continuing authorities authorization
This project would replace three culverts along Beaver Creek in east Multnomah County. By doing so, critical habitat for salmon and trout would be restored, non-native plant species would be removed, and adjacent wetlands would be enhanced.
Energy-Water Lower Columbia River Slough City of Portland No amount; continuing authorities authorization
This funding finances the final phase of a joint project between the City of Portland and the Corps of Engineers to restore the unique habitat and improve water quality in the former floodplain of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. The Columbia Slough supports numerous wildlife species and endangered salmon.
Energy-Water Wave Energy Research and Demonstration Ctr OSU $2,331,175
This request would establish a National Wave Energy Center at OSU to help develop renewable wave energy resources. This center would develop an in-water infrastructure and study its impacts on marine ecosystems.
Department of Education Elementary and Secondary Education SEI- Self Enhancement Inc. $381,000
This funding would support an organization dedicated to helping underserved youth realize their full potential through comprehensive year-round academic, enrichment, and family involvement programs. Funds would support programming and increase the number of students served.
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