‘There’s a lot in that bill that matters to us’: Merkley speaks on funding, including $24 million for C. Oregon projects

(Update: Adding video, comments from Senator Merkley )

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) -- Eight Central Oregon projects are receiving about $24 million in federal funds, and many more projects across the state are also included in spending bills recently passed by Congress, Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said in a series of announcements this week.

Wyden and Merkley said the 2024 fiscal funding package includes $42 million for environmental, wildfire, and water projects in the state.

"Being able to manage appropriately, both our U.S. Forest lands and our BLM, Bureau of Land Management lands and take into account things like we want to make sure that our Crater Lake is funded, our national parks are funded, our trails, and so forth. So there's a lot in that bill that matters to us in the spending bills," Senator Merkley told NewsChannel 21 Thursday.

Of the 111 Oregon projects, eight are in Central Oregon: the Tumalo Irrigation District received $3.5 million for farm and ranch canal piping, the City of Redmond received $1.25 million to construct a sewer plant line, and the city of Prineville gets $1 million to provide safe drinking water for lower-income communities.

"Those projects deliver more of our precious water to the farmers and ranchers but also put water back in the stream to help with the environment. So it's a win-win," the senator said.

 Concerns about irrigation and clean water have been raised repeatedly during town hall meetings in Central Oregon, according to the senator. "And I think we're now well over 100 projects that will be funded across Oregon. The community said, 'Here's our top priorities,' and that includes some key projects in Central Oregon."

Other projects getting new federal funding include the Hawthorne pedestrian and bike bridge planned from downtown Bend to the Eastside, the new control tower for the Bend Municipal Airport, and the Arnold and North unit irrigation districts' canal piping work.

"It's really a chance to help address the issues we see as so important out West," Merkley said.

The fiscal year 2024 package was passed by the U.S. House and Senate and signed into law by President Biden this week, avoiding a government shutdown.

Senator Merkley says that he plans to hold more town hall meetings in the state soon to begin working on the fiscal year 2025 funding package.

Here's the announcements the two senators issued:

Merkley, Wyden Strengthen Oregon’s Wildfire Resiliency, Water Infrastructure, and Climate Action in Passage of 2024 Funding Package

As chair of a key Senate Appropriations subcommittee, Merkley wrote the Interior bill included in the FY24 minibus appropriations package to fund top Oregon priorities, including essential community-initiated projects across the state.

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced they secured major investments to strengthen forest health and wildfire resiliency, protect public lands and the environment, secure important programs for Tribes, and support critical projects for communities across the state through the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) minibus funding package. This six-bill package cleared both chambers of Congress and was signed into law by President Biden.

Merkley, as Chair of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, wrote one of the critical bills included in the minibus—the FY24 Senate Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill—which encompasses funding for the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Indian Health Service (IHS), and other agencies.  

Successfully pushing back against the most extreme cuts and policy riders proposed by House Republicans, Merkley and Wyden ensured that nearly $42 million for 28 community-initiated projects throughout the state passed Congress in the Interior-Environment portion of the package.  

The Senators also protected critical funding that reduces the risk of wildfires on the front end and the ability to fight fires on the back end. The bill also supports programs to address smoke preparedness, build drought resiliency and conservation, and tackle the water crisis in the Klamath Basin. 

“As I hold town halls in each of Oregon’s 36 counties, I hear firsthand from folks about what matters most to them, including the need to take on wildfire, smoke, and heat threats, modernize our water infrastructure to ensure the delivery of clean drinking water and sanitary systems, and protect our state’s iconic public lands and waters,” Merkley said. “The Interior bill I wrote and pushed to pass delivers on these priorities by funding environmental programs, community-initiated projects, and programs supporting Tribal communities that will benefit Oregonians in every corner of the state for years to come.”

“These statewide federal investments reflect the best of the ‘Oregon Way’ with Oregonians sharing their priorities in my town halls and many other settings to secure resources that fight wildfires smarter, protect water quality and preserve the natural treasures that make our home such a special place,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified the teamwork with Oregon and Tribal communities and Senator Merkley has produced such direct and robust support for wildfire, water and climate projects in every nook and cranny of our state.” 

Merkley is the only Oregon member of Congress from either chamber since Senator Mark Hatfield to serve on the Appropriations Committee, which is one of the most powerful on Capitol Hill. He joined the committee in 2013 so that Oregon would have a strong voice in decisions about the investments our nation should be making.

The 28 community-initiated projects championed by Merkley and Wyden that passed in the Interior-Environment portion of the FY24 minibus funding package—with the support of members of Oregon’s congressional delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives—are as follows:

• $3.5 million for the Tumalo Irrigation District in Deschutes County to help fund 2 miles of high-density piping and 75 turnouts to deliver more reliable irrigation water to farms and ranches within the irrigation district. The project will lead to both less stress for farmers and ranchers and better habitat for wildlife amid persistent drought and hotter weather impacting the Deschutes Basin.
• $3 million to the City of Clatskanie for their Wastewater Treatment Plant: This project includes substantial site preparation at Clatskanie’s designated site for their new wastewater treatment plant. This is a critical step in building the City’s new plant and transitioning away from the current plant, which is over fifty years old and experiencing structural and mechanical failures.
• $3 million for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation to install a wastewater treatment plant that will produce recycled water for non-potable uses. This localized treatment facility will produce water for irrigation needs, therefore reducing the amount of groundwater that needs to be drawn from the community’s aquifers.
• $2.38 million for the City of Myrtle Creek for a water infrastructure improvement project to replace an essential plant treatment pod to meet the City of Myrtle Creek’s demand.
• $2.25 million for the USFS for the Timberline Lodge Roof Replacement Project. Funding will advance the project by helping finish design and engineering of a new roof for the historic lodge.
• $2.24 million for the City of Hillsboro to complete the first phase of its Upper Pipeline Mitigation System Project. The City’s current system is 50 years old and experiences leakage of up to 50%, increasing vulnerability of water access to a significant area, most of which is rural.
• $2 million for the City of Estacada to help replace their outdated wastewater treatment plant, which cannot keep up with the city’s rapid growth.
• $2 million for the City of Grass Valley for its Municipal Wastewater System Development Project, which would establish a city sewer in Grass Valley.
• $2 million for the Wallowa Lake Irrigation District to continue its work with partners to create safe passage for fish listed under the Endangered Species Act. Existing diversion structures block the ability of fish to access valuable habitat. Funding will also be used to install screens to prevent fish from entering irrigation ditches.
• $1.895 million for the City of Astoria to replace a nearly 100-year-old, 6-inch cast-iron waterline—which runs through several mapped landslide areas on Irving Avenue and has a history of failure—with a more resilient pipe. Replacing the existing pipe with more modern materials and a design approach that accounts for geologically sensitive areas will greatly improve the resiliency and serviceability of this critical water line that serves central Astoria.
• $1.615 million for the Rogue River Watershed Council for Rogue River Watershed Restoration and Barrier Removal. The funding will be used for five restoration projects in Southern Oregon focused on reconnecting, restoring, and increasing habitat for Endangered Species Act-listed Coho Salmon and numerous other species.
• $1.365 million for the City of Sumpter to install a new water transmission mainline and install modern water meters at every connection. Sumpter’s current transmission line from the 1970s is made of asbestos cement and is failing, with frequent leaks. Without upgrades, a major break of this transmission main is likely.
• $1.33 million was secured for the Oregon Trails Coalition for recreational trail work at the USFS. The funding will support Signature Trails on the Umatilla and Willamette National Forests and in the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. These projects will expand access to outdoor recreation in rural communities and support local economies.
• $1.32 million for Morrow County for the second phase of their work to address nitrate contamination of private wells. Funding will be used to develop a Preliminary Engineering Report and for vetting alternatives for providing well users with clean water.
• $1.25 million to help the City of West Linn fund a new drinking water main pipe that crosses the Abernethy Bridge. The water line, which supplies all of West Linn’s drinking water, must be replaced due to construction on the bridge. Secured with support from Rep. Chavez-DeRemer.
• $1.25 million for the City of Redmond to construct a sewer plant interceptor line, which is part of a larger sewage treatment project for the community that will collect and deliver all the city’s wastewater to the future constructed wetlands complex. Secured with support from Rep. Chavez-DeRemer.
• $1.25 million for the City of Albany to undergo Phase 3 of its Interceptor Project to improve wastewater infrastructure. Completion of the expansion and extension of the Cox Creek Interceptor is critical to provide sewer service to east Albany community members. The funding will help construct 2,400 feet of a sewer main, including a portion which will be bored under Interstate 5. Secured with support from Rep. Chavez-DeRemer.
• $1.16 million for Benton County to design and construct critical upgrades to the rural Alpine and Alsea Sewer Districts, which will lead to sewer system improvements for connected users in the county.
• $1 million for the City of Prineville to help address human health and safety concerns by extending water and wastewater services that will provide safe drinking water and sanitary wastewater disposal to underserved and traditionally low-income areas. This funding is especially needed as Prineville’s growth has soared in recent years and infrastructure modernization is needed for water system safety and sustained city growth.
• $1 million for the Eugene Water & Electric Board to be used to support fuels reduction work on a landscape scale in high-risk priority areas in the McKenzie River Valley, helping reduce the risk of out-of-control wildfires.
• $959,752 for the City of Gresham for its Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements project. This funding will be used toward design and construction of water treatment plant elements to allow for the removal of ammonia, a byproduct of semiconductor manufacturing. Secured with support from Rep. Blumenauer.
• $959,752 for Clean Water Services for Western Washington County toward the replacement of approximately 14,000 linear feet of existing sanitary sewer mainline. This effort is part of its larger Inflow and Infiltration Rehabilitation Project and aims to reduce the volume of stormwater entering the sanitary sewer system. Secured with support from Rep. Bonamici.
• $880,000 for the City of Independence’s Corvallis Road water main replacement project to install a new water main with the goal of modernizing the City’s water infrastructure and ensuring clean drinking water for all community members.Secured with support from Rep. Salinas.
• $610,000 for the University of Oregon (UO) to expand its ALERTWildfire camera system, which features cameras in use throughout Oregon that provide firefighters and first responders with real-time, live images and time lapse footage to spot and track wildfires. The UO Hazards Lab installs and maintains the cameras throughout Oregon, and they will use this funding to better coordinate and optimize existing cameras, as well as place more wildfire cameras. These cameras are proving to be critical tools to identify wildfires quicker—especially in remote areas—and produce faster, coordinated responses.
• $525,000 for the City of Mosier for its Well 5 project, which would establish a new backup well for the city’s drinking water system. 
• $500,000 for the Harney County Watershed Council for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to work with the State of Oregon to better understand the state’s groundwater resources. In 2021, the Oregon Legislature directed the Oregon Water Resources Department to enter into an agreement with USGS to develop and publish groundwater budgets for all major hydrologic basins in Oregon. This funding will support that effort. The data will be a critical management tool for understanding the conditions of groundwater throughout the state.
• $475,000 for Curry Soil and Water Conservation District for Gorse Removal. This funding will be used to convert nearly 580 acres of gorse encompassing the wildland-urban interface around Port Orford, including treatment of outlier gorse throughout Curry County.
• $100,000 for the Human Access Project in Multnomah County for efforts to help mitigate harmful algae bloom in the Ross Island Lagoon on the Willamette River. The harmful algae bloom impacts all recreational users of the Willamette River and poses a threat to wildlife, including native protected species such as Chinook Salmon and lamprey.

For quotes from community-initiated project recipients included in the Interior-Environment bill, click HERE.

Protecting Oregon Communities and Forests from Severe Wildfires and Hazardous Smoke

The Interior-Environment portion of the FY24 minibus funding package also includes huge investments to support wildfire management, take on hazardous smoke threats, and support a robust wildland firefighter workforce. The funding builds on the national leadership of Merkley and Wyden in ensuring communities in Oregon and throughout the West have the resources needed to mitigate and fight severe wildfires and to support resilient forests.

Key elements in the Interior-Environment portion for wildfire prevention and mitigation include:

Wildfire Suppression: The bill provides $4.045 billion for wildfire suppression, of which $2.65 billion is provided in the Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve Fund. This Reserve Fund provides the USFS and DOI an assured amount of funding to be used when major fire activity requires expenditures exceeding regular base suppression operations funding.  This funding level—in addition to carryover balances—is expected to meet the needs for the upcoming 2024 wildfire season.

Federal Firefighting Workforce: The bill continues the pay raise provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and protects current staffing levels. Additionally, support proposals to permanently authorize higher base pay for firefighters at the USFS and DOI and are committed to providing the required resources to implement any enacted compensation reforms in future legislation.

Wildfire Smoke Mitigation:  The bill protects $7 million, equal to the FY23 level, for the EPA wildfire grant program Merkley established to support efforts by states, Tribes, local governments, and nonprofit organizations to prepare for and protect against wildfire smoke hazards. Examples of this include grants for developing smoke mitigation and filtration plans for schools and community buildings. The bill continues to support the EPA’s wildfire smoke monitoring efforts as well as smoke forecasting and communication tools like AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.

Hazardous Fuels Reduction: The USFS and DOI are provided a total of $390 million for hazardous fuels reduction projects.

Forest Restoration: The bill builds on Merkley’s and Wyden’s priorities for the USFS, including $31 million for the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP), which funds projects backed by diverse stakeholders to improve forest landscapes. This funding will allow the work of five collaboratives across Oregon to continue: Northern Blues Forest Collaborative, Southern Blues Restoration Coalition Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project, Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project, Lakeview Collaborative Landscape Restoration Project, and Rogue Basin Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project.

Protecting Oregon’s Air and Water

As climate chaos continues to strain aging water infrastructure, the Interior-Environment portion of the FY24 minibus funding package makes major modernization investments to help ensure all Oregonians have access to clean and safe air and water—from dependable drinking water and sanitation, to a needed water supply for ranchers and growers, to protecting Oregon’s iconic ecosystems.

Key elements in the Interior-Environment portion for water modernization and environmental protection include:

Water Infrastructure: The bill provides $6.7 billion in loan volume, equal to the FY23 level, for loans to build and repair critical water infrastructure under the Water Infrastructure Financing Innovation Authority (WIFIA) Act. Merkley authored the WIFIA program in 2012, working to ensure public drinking water and wastewater infrastructure are well maintained to support public health and safety, strong local businesses, population growth, and clean rivers and aquifers. WIFIA was passed into law as part of the 2014 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

Environmental Protection Priorities: The bill protects EPA’s core programs and research, which safeguard communities from harmful pollution, during a time of tight budget constraints. This includes $519 million for EPA enforcement and compliance efforts; $437.6 million for EPA clean air efforts; and $117.7 million for EPA’s toxic chemical program. The bill also includes $100 million for EPA’s environmental justice program – a program that did not even exist until FY22 when Merkley became Chair of the subcommittee. Current EPA staff will also all remain on the job.

Supporting Tribal Communities

Merkley and Wyden are deeply committed to ensuring Congress is upholding its trust and treaty responsibilities and providing fairness to Indian Country through the federal budget process.

Key elements in the Interior-Environment portion of the FY24 minibus funding package to support Tribes in Oregon and across the country include:

Advanced Appropriations for the Indian Health Service (IHS): The bill continues to provide advance appropriations of $5.19 billion in fiscal year 2025 for the IHS. Advance appropriations improve the reliability of health care services provided by IHS to more than 2.5 million American Indians and Alaska Natives by ensuring predictable funding and protecting services from future lapses in funding due to government shutdowns and unpredictable budget years. The IHS operates health care facilities within Oregon in Warm Springs and Salem. Additionally, the bill provides $61.4 million for staffing of newly built IHS facilities around the country to support expansion of services to more tribal communities.

Tribal Programs and Services: The bill includes $10.86 billion in critical funding for Tribal communities across the country, including $6.96 billion for the IHS. It also includes and $4 million for the Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program through EPA, which addresses water infrastructure challenges like those faced by the Warm Springs community. Additionally, the bill includes $1.3 billion for the Bureau of Indian Education, which oversees 184 schools across 23 states.

Tribal Public Safety and Justice: The bill provides $555.5 million—equal to the FY23 enacted level—to sustain support police services, special initiatives to address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons cases, Tribal courts, and Detention and Corrections facilities.

Columbia River Treaty Fishing Access Sites: The bill continues $4.5 million for Columbia River In-Lieu Treaty Sites, including funding for fishing sites construction to further implement Merkley’s Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act.

Protecting Oregon’s Great Outdoors, Ecosystems, and Community Services

Merkley and Wyden are focused on preserving and growing protections for some of Oregon’s most incredible landmarks, lands, waters, and species.

The Interior-Environment portion of the FY24 minibus funding package maintains investments to strengthen environmental protections and public lands, while supporting Oregon’s recreational economy and vital community services.

Klamath Basin Water and Wildlife Conservation: As a key part of Merkley and Wyden’s continued efforts toward a long-term solution in the Klamath Basin, Merkley included $19.6 million for water monitoring efforts and conservation, including native fish and wildlife habitat restoration. This effort began after Merkley hosted the pivotal Sucker Summit in 2018.

Columbia River Basin Restoration: The Columbia River Basin Geographic Program will receive a $3 million grant in the bill, equal to the FY23 level, for restoration efforts in the basin.

Saline Lakes: The bill provides $1.75 million to continue U.S. Geological Survey water monitoring assessment efforts for saline lakes in the Great Basin, like Lake Abert in Oregon.

Land and Water Conservation Fund: The bill allocates $900 million for federal land acquisition and financial assistance to states provided through the Land and Water Conservation Fund(LWCF). This program is critical for improving recreational access to our federal lands, protecting iconic landscapes, creating and protecting urban parks and open spaces, and providing farmers and ranchers with easements to allow them to continue to steward their private lands in the face of development pressures. This includes $3.6 million for the Tualatin Mountain Forest Legacy Project, $3.5 million for the Willamette Valley Conservation Area and $500,000 for Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Fisheries Restoration and Irrigation Mitigation Act (FRIMA): The bill continues to provide $5 million in funding for Merkley’s FRIMA law, for fish passage devices, fish screens, and other related features to mitigate water diversion impacts on fisheries in Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, and California. FRIMA is an important tool to conserve and restore native anadromous and resident fish populations in the Pacific Northwest.

Western Monarch Butterflies: The bill includes a directive for the USFWS to spend not less than $7 million for conservation activities for western monarch butterflies and other pollinators. This funding will continue to support critical conservation actions identified during Merkley’s Monarch Summits, as well as the Center for Pollinator Conservation.

Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT): The bill fully funds payments to counties through the PILT program, which are estimated at a total of $515 million nationwide.

With half of the key government funding bills for FY24 now passed by Congress and signed into law, Merkley and Wyden will keep working to ensure the remaining six funding bills follow suit later in the month, preventing steep cuts to programs and projects Oregon families rely on. Passing these bills is necessary to avoid a partial government shutdown that would be harmful to communities across the state and nation.

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Merkley and Wyden Announce Passage of Critical Affordable Housing, Transportation Infrastructure Investments for Oregon in 2024 Funding Package

Funding included in the FY24 minibus appropriations package champions affordable housing, infrastructure projects, small ports, and more.

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced major investments to expand affordable, rural, and veterans housing options and boost transportation infrastructure—including over $75 million in funding for 44 critical community-initiated projects across the state—have passed through the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) minibus funding package. This six-bill package cleared both chambers of Congress last week and was quickly signed into law by President Biden.

Successfully pushing back against the most extreme funding cuts and policy riders proposed by House Republicans, Merkley and Wyden secured the investments in the FY24 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) bill.

The THUD funding bill will also support programs and projects throughout the state that help address the affordable housing crisis and keep Oregonians moving with reliable transportation infrastructure. 

“As I hold a town hall in each of Oregon’s 36 counties every year, I hear firsthand from folks about what matters most to them, including the need to take on the affordable housing crisis, build drought resilience, and move the state faster to a renewable energy future,” Merkley said. “The funding included in these bills for programs and critical community-initiated projects will benefit Oregonians in every corner of the state for years to come.”

“These crucial federal investments will help more Oregonians secure a roof over their heads as well as make it easier for workers to commute and for small businesses to get their goods to markets,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified the teamwork with Oregonians who shared their priorities with me and Senator Merkley in town halls and other settings has generated such solid housing and transportation gains for communities across Oregon.”

Merkley is the only Oregon member of Congress from either chamber since Senator Mark Hatfield to serve on the Appropriations Committee, which wrote the bill and is one of the most powerful committees on Capitol Hill. He joined the committee in 2013 so that Oregon would have a strong voice in decisions about the investments our nation should be making.

The 44 community-initiated projects championed by Merkley and Wyden that passed in the THUD portion of the FY24 minibus funding package—with the support of members of Oregon’s congressional delegation in the House of Representatives—are as follows:

• $6 million for the Bend Municipal Airport to construct a new air traffic control tower in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration requirements that will enhance aviation safety in Central Oregon, serving to deconflict aircraft operating in the congested airspace around Bend. Secured with support from Rep. Chavez-DeRemer.
• $5.7 million for the City of Bend’s Hawthorne Avenue Pedestrian and Bicyclist Overcrossing project which will construct a pedestrian and bicycle bridge that safely connects the east and west sides of Bend. Secured with support from Rep. Chavez-DeRemer.
• $5 million for TriMet to construct a new facility that will be a critical hub for powering and maintaining hundreds of zero-emissions busses, key to achieving TriMet’s commitment to a zero-emissions fleet by 2040. 
• $4 million for the City of North Bend to help demolish the old Coos County annex and construct affordable workforce housing for critically needed workers in education, public safety, logistics, and the healthcare industry. 
• $4 million for the Port of Hood River to help replace the Hood River/White Salmon Bridge. This lifeline across the Columbia River is almost 100 years old, inadequately sized, and dangerous to both bridge users and river traffic that pass between its narrowly placed piers. Funding will cover early-phase costs of the project, including right-of-way acquisition and mitigation for impacts to tribal fishing access during construction, with the goal of breaking ground in 2025.
• $4 million for the Port of Portland to complete necessary infrastructure improvements to redevelop the Port’s former Marine Terminal 2 into a housing innovation campus. This will become a housing hub for innovators to collaborate on ways to address the affordable housing crisis by improving the housing construction industry and creating more housing options. The Innovation Campus is expected to create about 17,000 good-paying jobs for rural, urban, and BIPOC communities and work to provide housing for working families and those on fixed incomes.

• $4 million for the City of Oregon City’s Abernethy Green Access Project to modernize road systems and provide easier, safer access to community, retail, and entertainment facilities. Secured with support from Rep. Chavez-DeRemer.
• $3.589 million for Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to ensure a right-of-way acquisition and design for a new roundabout at the intersection of OR-99W and NE McDougall Rd/OR18 in rural Yamhill County. This roundabout would address serious safety issues at this high-speed, unsignalized intersection. Secured with support from Rep. Salinas.
• $3 million for the Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation to develop affordable housing in The Dalles on Chenowith Loop. The 75-unit building will provide housing and services to veterans, families, and households experiencing severe and persistent mental health challenges.

• $2.8 million for ODOT’s OR 22: Rural Community Enhanced Crossings (Mill City, Gates, and Idanha) project in Marion County. Funds will be used to design and construct enhanced pedestrian crossings in the rural communities of Mill City, Gates, and Idanha in the Santiam Canyon, all of which were severely impacted by the 2020 Labor Day fires. Oregon Highway 22 runs through these communities creating pedestrian safety issues throughout the Canyon. Secured with support from Rep. Chavez-DeRemer.
• $2.349 million for the City of Portland to improve two of the highest-risk, high-crash intersections in East Portland that are located along SE 112th Avenue. By targeting these dangerous intersections, the city aims to update pedestrian infrastructure with the mission to increase pedestrian safety at these intersections. Secured with support from Rep. Blumenauer.

• $2 million for the City of Portland to help with construction costs for its Barbur Apartments project in Southwest Portland. This development will offer 149 family-focused affordable rental units between one and four bedrooms, serving extremely low and low-income households.
• $2 million for Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives Inc for its project to provide 75 units of multigenerational, affordable rental housing on the historic Williams and Russel block in inner Northeast Portland to help reverse displacement of BIPOC and low-income families who owned property and lived in the neighborhood before their homes were unjustly taken from them by the City fifty years ago.
• $1.616 million for the City of Beaverton’s Downtown Loop Project,which aims to improve the walkability, access, safety and overall experience of all those using the city’s 20-block downtown core. Secured with support from Rep. Bonamici.
• $1.577 million for Marion County to make safety improvements including a highway safety median and median barriers along the McKay/Yergen/Ehlen Road – corridor with high crash activity and an average of two fatalities per year. Secured with support from Rep. Salinas.
• $1.565 million for DevNW to build 54 Community Land Trust (CLT) affordable homes in Corvallis. The homes will be 2-3 bedrooms and sold to low-to-moderate income families. The homes will be permanently affordable for subsequent Oregon homebuyers, helping to address the urgent affordable housing crisis in Benton County.
• $1.5 million for Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity to construct 15 permanently affordable townhomes for workforce families. Due to soaring home prices in Central Oregon, workforce families are being priced out of the housing market. With this permanent affordability model, this investment supports not only these 15 homes and families, supporting each family who lives in the homes in perpetuity. After the completion of this project, Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity will have built 230 homes in Bend and Redmond since 1989, 71 of which are permanently affordable.
• $1.5 million for the Pendleton Children’s Center to purchase and renovate a building next to their current facility in Pendleton to provide more space for childcare. Affordable, reliable, and high-quality childcare is much needed in Pendleton and is necessary to allow parents to join the workforce or to further their own education. The center’s goal is to help address this issue by enrolling a total of 150 children, in comparison to the current 36.
• $1.5 million for the Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center and Rosemary Anderson High School to complete a two-acre mass timber community redevelopment called the Sunrise Learning Center. The property is in the diverse and economically disadvantaged Rockwood district. It will serve as a hub for small, locally owned businesses and community organizations, educational facilities for vulnerable youth, and affordable housing designed in collaboration with the community.
• $1.116 million for the City of Springfield to fund the full construction of nearly one mile of Mill Street. The stretch serves as a collector for homes and some businesses, while providing access to Centennial Boulevard and Main Street, which are two key Springfield arterial streets. This improvement will increase accessibility for pedestrians and bicyclists by addressing pedestrian crossings, bring curb ramps up to meet ADA standards, and fill in key gaps in the Springfield bicycle network. Secured with support from Rep. Hoyle.
• $1 million for the Port of Astoria’s Pier 2 West Rehabilitation project, to include replacing an elevated timber dock structure with a seawall-and-backfill pier with far more strength to survive natural hazards than the existing timber dock. Secured with support from Rep. Bonamici.
• $1 million for Neighborhood House, Inc.—Portland’s largest food pantry on the west side and the only senior center in Southwest Multnomah County— for construction costs to renovate a newly-acquired building. This project will allow for program expansion, including developing a consortium of food providers that will serve as a centralized hub for combating hunger through shared resources and greater efficiency.
• $946,956 for the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD) to improve emergency preparedness infrastructure for wildfire and disaster response These funds will support the installation of equipment in seven buildings, enabling them to serve as safe air-filtered cooling and warming centers during wildfires and extreme weather; purchase technology to maintain communication across the district in emergencies; and conduct seismic and solar evaluations of the Fanno Creek Service Center, THPRD's emergency operations hub.Secured with support from Rep. Bonamici.
• $900,000 for the City of Forest Grove for their project to install three 100 KW solar arrays at community facilities. This will reduce energy costs for low-income customers while reducing fossil gas dependence and combatting economic inequity.
• $850,000 to help ODOT fund the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail: Perham Creek to Mitchell Creek project. The investment will advance construction in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Completion of this critical trail segment would create a full 7.5-mile continuous Historic Columbia Highway State Trail allowing pedestrians and cyclists to travel between Wyeth Trailhead and a reconstructed Mitchell Point Tunnel. Secured with support from Rep. Blumenauer.
•  $850,000 for the City of Forest Grove to improve the local portion of the Tualatin Valley (TV) Highway. This will fund installation of a mid-block crossing to connect a low-income and historically disadvantaged community to transit and commercial options and installation of an enhanced bikeway to allow bicyclists to travel the corridor safely. This major stretch in rural Washington County is among the riskiest arterials statewide, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Secured with support from Rep. Bonamici.
• $850,000 for the City of Hillsboro's Year-Round Shelter Project. These funds will support construction costs of a 24/7 shelter for homeless and housing-unstable community members. The shelter is designed to offer a diverse range of sheltering and wrap-around service options for single adults and couples, estimated to provide up to 75 beds and replace current short-term safe Rest Pods the city offers to homeless community members. Secured with support from Rep. Bonamici.
• $850,000 for the City of McMinnville’s Third Street Improvement Project. The funding will help advance the project’s goals of improving McMinnville's downtown corridor including sidewalk reconstruction that will improve mobility, safety, and accessibility in the city’s historic core commercial district. Secured with support from Rep. Salinas.
• $850,000 for the City of Salem to update the Salem Airport.  This funding will build on the city's investment to improve the air passenger occupancy and efficiency at the Salem Airport terminal by adding more gates, gate seating, and a new expanded baggage claim area and additional restroom facilities. All of these updates will enhance the Airport’s capacity and improve passenger experience. Secured with support from Rep. Salinas.
• $850,000 for Clackamas County to make Mt. Hood Transit enhancements. The project will fund transit improvements including a new park and ride facility, improved transit stops, and the construction of public restrooms. These improvements work toward a shared goal of improving and expanding transportation services to Mt. Hood – a popular travel and recreation destination.  Secured with support from Rep. Blumenauer.
• $850,000 for Friends of the Children Portland to construct the National Center of Excellence for Paid Professional Mentoring. This Center will promote Friend’s model and provide training and technical support for professional paid mentorship services. Secured with support from Rep. Blumenauer.
• $775,000 toward construction for the relocation and expansion of the Ella Curran Food Bank in Polk County.  This project will allow the Food Bank to continue to serve as a safety net against hunger and food insecurity amid increasing community need.
• $750,000 for Williams & Russell Community Development Corporation (CDC) for its project to construct a 20-unit townhouse-style condominium development that will be affordable to families and prioritizes housing Black community members as an effort to foster restorative justice for their displacement from this block 50 years ago.
• $650,000 for the City of Sutherlin to acquire and develop a 13-acre parcel and 17,000-sq. foot building to provide emergency shelter and supportive, wrap-around services to address health, financial, or other barriers to securing stable housing for people experiencing homelessness in Sutherlin, Oregon.
• $500,000 for the African Youth & Community Organization (AYCO) to go toward finalizing construction of a community center which will continue providing culturally specific, safe spaces for East African immigrants in Portland. 
• $500,000 for Community Action Resource Enterprises, Inc. (CARE) to renovate an existing building to serve as Tillamook County’s first low-barrier navigation center for people experiencing homelessness. The center will be co-located with employment, support, and case management services.
• $500,000 to help support the Salem Area Mass Transit District’s South Salem Transit Center Mobility Hub to increase city-wide connectivity. This new multi-modal mobility hub will include local and regional fixed-route buses, paratransit vehicles, and neighborhood circulators. Notably it will be designed with flexibility to accommodate micro-transit, transportation network company vehicles, bike share/scooter share, bicycles, pedestrians, and an area for easy drop-off and pick-up for connections between car and bus. Secured with support from Rep. Salinas.
• $500,000 for the City of Independence’s Chestnut Street Bridge and Collector Road Extension Project, which seeks to construct a bridge across the South Fork of Ash Creek. This project will increase transportation system capacity, provide an additional road out of the community, and most importantly, facilitate significant housing development in one of the last large tracts of developable land in Independence.   Secured with support from Rep. Salinas.
• $500,000 for the City of Portland to remove and replace unsound light posts in city parks. These funds will be used to replace aging light poles that may pose a life and safety hazard to the public, replacing them with energy-efficient, Dark-Sky compliant, and historically consistent lighting in Portland Parks. Secured with support from Rep. Blumenauer.
• $500,000 for the City of Tigard to renovate a public library into an emergency heating and cooling center that will serve as a vital community resource in dangerous weather for people experiencing homelessness.  Secured with support from Rep. Salinas.
• $500,000 for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde to develop the Grand Ronde Resident and Recreation Center. This project will support the construction of a recreation center within the Grand Ronde Tribe's housing community and will provide new recreation areas for health and wellness in this growing community. Secured with support from Rep. Salinas.
• $500,000 for the Family Justice Center of Washington County to construct a multi-service center in the county to support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse in one location. Secured with support from Rep. Bonamici.
• $400,000 for the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation for their projects to secure wildlife crossings on I-5 in Southern Oregon, which bisects the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The funding will complete design and engineering for fencing to accompany two high-priority wildlife overcrossings in the region renowned for its remarkable ecology and diverse range of biological resources.
• $220,000 for the Travel Information Council (TIC) to install panels of tribal-approved historical interpretation in 12 safety rest areas in Oregon. Currently, travelers stopping at rest areas in Eastern Oregon along I-84 have access to informational kiosks that feature the Oregon Trail. The funds will be used to update the text of these kiosks to be more accurate and more comprehensively describe the landscapes and the people along the Oregon Trail—both those newly arriving as well as those who had already lived here for millennia.

For quotes from community-initiated project recipients included in the THUD portion of the FY24 minibus funding package, click HERE.

Other key funding in the THUD portion includes:

Affordable Housing: As rural and urban communities across Oregon continue to experience housing crises, the bill includes an increase for affordable housing programs for some of Oregon’s most vulnerable people—low-income families, seniors, and people living with disabilities, including $8.811 billion for housing unit specific rental assistance. The THUD bill also protects funding for housing programs that benefit the elderly and people living with disabilities.

Rural Housing: The Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) and Rural Capacity Building Program received $12 million and $5 million, respectively. SHOP provides funds for non-profit, sweat-equity homebuilders—such as Habitat for Humanity—to cover land purchases and infrastructure costs. The Rural Capacity funds are intended to build the capacity of rural low-income housing non-profits by providing training, information, technical assistance, and financing.

HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing: The program received $620 million to provide rental assistance vouchers for homeless veterans, along with case management and clinical services. To prevent veteran homelessness, this agreement includes $775 million for Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF). This funding will sustain rental vouchers for veterans experiencing homelessness, and when combined with prior year appropriations and available unleased vouchers, has the potential to reduce veteran homelessness.

Homeless Assistance and Prevention: The THUD funding bill includes $4.1 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants, a $418 million increase that will benefit organizations across Oregon. Within that funding, rapid rehousing programs for victims of domestic violence will receive an additional $52 million; homeless youth programs will receive $107 million; and Emergency Solutions Grants—particularly important to the Portland metro area—will receive $290 million to support street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, and rapid re-housing assistance.

HOME Investment Partnerships Program: The THUD funding bill includes $1.25 billion for the program to provide states and localities with flexible resources to respond to their affordable housing challenges, including rental housing and paths to homeownership for low-income families.

Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation: The program, also known as NeighborWorks America, received $158 million in the funding bill. The national nonprofit offers support for affordable housing and community development through public-private partnerships.

Community Development: The bipartisan THUD funding bill includes $3.3 billion for the Community Development Block Grant Program. This program funds vital housing rehabilitation, supportive services, public improvements, and economic development projects in communities across Oregon and the nation, while encouraging local investment.

With half of the key government funding bills for FY24 now passed by Congress and signed into law, Merkley and Wyden will keep working to ensure the remaining six funding bills follow suit later in the month, preventing steep cuts to programs and projects Oregon families rely on. Passing these bills is necessary to avoid a partial government shutdown that would be harmful to communities across the state and nation. 

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FARMS, FOOD, AND FIBER: MERKLEY AND WYDEN ANNOUNCE BIG INVESTMENTS FOR OREGON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL COMMUNITIES IN 2024 FUNDING PACKAGE

• March 12, 2024

FUNDING INCLUDED IN THE FY24 MINIBUS APPROPRIATIONS PACKAGE CHAMPIONS FAMILY FARMS, RURAL HOUSING, BROADBAND, AND MORE.

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced major investments in Oregon agriculture, rural housing, food assistance, and rural business priorities—along with nearly $12.7 million in funding for 14 Oregon community-initiated projects—have passed through the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) minibus funding package. This six-bill package cleared both chambers of Congress last week and was quickly signed into law by President Biden.

Successfully pushing back against the most extreme funding cuts and policy provisions proposed by House Republicans, Merkley and Wyden secured investments in the FY24 Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill included in the package. 

The agriculture funding bill also supports programs and projects that benefit farms, families, and rural communities throughout the state. 

“Agriculture is a huge part of Oregon’s economy, and it’s essential to ensure our world-class agriculture sector and rural communities have the support needed to grow and thrive,” said Merkley, who previously served as the top Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee that writes the agriculture bill. “The agriculture portion of the funding package includes significant investments for family farms, rural housing, food assistance, habitat restoration, and wildfire smoke recovery. It also prioritizes making Oregon’s agriculture more resilient to the impacts of climate chaos to protect the livelihoods of our farmers, ranchers, and producers. These huge investments will surely benefit Oregon’s farms and families for years to come.”

“The global appetite is huge for crops grown in our state, and these comprehensive federal investments in Oregon agriculture and rural communities will help farmers, ranchers and food producers,” Wyden said. “I’m pleased the teamwork with Oregonians who shared their priorities with me and Senator Merkley in town halls and my roundtables around the state to highlight our state’s bounty has produced these wins for improved irrigation as well as robust health care, housing, broadband and more for rural communities across the state.”

Merkley is the only Oregon member of Congress from either chamber since Senator Mark Hatfield to serve on the Appropriations Committee, which wrote the bill and is one of the most powerful committees on Capitol Hill. He joined the committee in 2013 so that Oregon would have a strong voice in decisions about the investments our nation should be making.

The 14 community-initiated projects championed by Merkley and Wyden that passed in the agriculture portion of the FY24 minibus funding package—with the support of members of Oregon’s congressional delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives—are as follows:

• $3 million for the Arnold Irrigation District in Deschutes County to help complete the third phase and begin the final phase of its resiliency and modernization project which will convert 11.9 miles of open-ditch irrigation canal into a buried, closed pipe system. As persistent drought continues to impact the Deschutes Basin, these irrigation modernization efforts will better serve farmers and ranchers and strengthen habitat for wildlife, making the region more resilient to climate chaos.
• $2 million for the North Unit Irrigation District in Jefferson County to begin its irrigation modernization project, which will transition 27.5 miles of open-ditch irrigation canals into buried pressurized piping as well as upgrade 153 turnouts. This infrastructure modernization project will lead to significant water savings that benefit farmers, ranchers, and wildlife.
• $1.875 million for the City of Stayton to make critical stormwater infrastructure improvements, which will unlock access to approximately 80 acres of developable industrial land and spur economic development in the community. Secured with support from Rep. Chavez DeRemer.
• $1 million for Tillamook County’s Three Rivers Fiber Broadband Phase 2 project. The funding will be used to build over 7 miles of fiber optic broadband infrastructure and enable services to 322 homes and a fish hatchery in rural southern Tillamook County. Secured with support from Rep. Bonamici.

• $1 million for Benton County to build the Monroe Rural Health Center, which will provide greater access to quality healthcare for rural community members. The new Health Center will provide acute primary care, behavioral health, chronic disease management, and health screenings to vulnerable residents by addressing financial, geographic, language, and cultural barriers to care. Secured with support from Rep. Hoyle.
• $1 million for Lane County’s Emergency Communications Resiliency and Interoperability Project. Funding will go toward a key portion of the project to replace aging radio communication infrastructure at Bear Mountain. Radios for fire districts are critical to radio continuity for first responders during both routine and catastrophic situations, as well as keeping communication networks (cell and internet) functional for the public. Secured with support from Rep. Hoyle.
• $500,000 to the City of Carlton to help replace and upgrade a portion of an over 100-year-old sewer mainline in the City’s downtown, which is currently made of very porous clay and concrete. The funding will help modernize the City’s wastewater infrastructure to better serve this rural community. Secured with support from Rep. Salinas.
• $500,000 to the City of Dayton to help construct the Dayton Civic Center, which will include a new City Hall, library expansion, and community meeting space. It will also serve as a dedicated location for emergency preparedness and response activities.  Secured with support from Rep. Salinas.
• $500,000 to the City of Oakridge help cover significant repair and construction costs needed for its Willamette Activity Center Renovation Project. This effort will bring the now-closed multi-purpose community facility back online to serve as a hub once again for critical community services and activities including hosting the Lane County Food Bank, the Oakridge Warming Center, a local church food distribution center, a community theater group and city council chambers. Secured with support from Rep. Hoyle.
• $500,000 to help Glide Revitalization renovate a community space to be utilized for childcare, social services, office space and as a library. The Center will serve the Glide community as well as the entire Glide School District and to community members of the greater Douglas County region that work in the Glide area and need access to childcare where they work. Secured with support from Rep. Hoyle.
• $361,075 to the Port of Newport to make repairs to the dock and pilings at the Newport International Terminal. Repairs will address deteriorated pilings, and piling caps, and concrete repairs above and below the splash zone. These improvements will result in future opportunities to spur economic development through the creation of new jobs and revenue for the City of Newport. Secured with support from Rep. Hoyle.

• $250,000 for the Condon Arts Council to restore the historic Liberty Theatre in downtown Condon. The rehabilitated theatre will serve as a regional hub for performing arts events and community arts programs for Oregonians living in Gilliam County and beyond.
• $113,000 for the Grant County CyberMill Expansion project in John Day to support more equitable internet access for rural Oregonians. The federal funding will be used for distance learning, telemedicine, and broadband equipment and technology.
• $76,000 for the South Lane Mental Health Center to help modernize their existing facilities, including a new roof, a new computer server, and security upgrades. These upgrades will benefit patients and staff by providing a safer, cleaner environment.

Click HERE for quotes from community-initiated project recipients included in the agriculture bill portion of the FY24 minibus funding package.

Other key funding for Oregon’s world-class agriculture that passed Congress with bipartisan support includes:

Water Conservation and Habitat Restoration: The bill includes $35 million for the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Operations Program, including $14.65 million set aside for multi-benefit projects, which benefit Western states. In Oregon, this funding is primarily used to replace open irrigation ditches with pipes and is crucial for irrigation districts that need to improve water efficiency and conservation or otherwise improve fish and wildlife habitat. This program is providing critical funding for the collaborative processes underway across the state working to conserve water and keep Oregon’s family farms in business while improving the habitats of endangered species. 

Wine Grape Smoke Exposure Research: Recent wildfire seasons have blanketed much of Oregon with thick, hazardous smoke, which has significantly impacted the state’s wine grape harvest. To better understand and address the challenges facing Oregon’s wine growers, the bill includes an increase in funding for research into smoke-impacted grapes at Oregon State University (OSU) and other West Coast universities. 

Vineyard and Orchard Acreage Study: The bill encourages the Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to resume data collection and reporting on vineyards and orchards, so that Oregon’s grape, wine, and juice producers can use this important data to remain competitive.

Hemp Production Systems: The bill provides $4 million for the National Agricultural Research Services to partner with institutions conducting biotech and genomics research to improve hemp genetic research and breeding with new techniques. Hemp has quickly become one of Oregon’s leading cash crops, and indicators suggest it has the potential to bring in more than $1 billion in sales to Oregon in the coming years given a fair and consistent regulatory framework. 

Rangeland Precision Livestock Management: The bill includes an increase in funding for research efforts to promote economically efficient and environmentally responsive livestock production systems for the Western rangeland. The bill supports precision nutrition strategies for rangeland-based livestock as well as technology-based rangeland and livestock management strategies to optimize the health and productivity of Western rangeland ecosystem. 

Oregon Agricultural Research and Facilities Investment: The Agricultural Research Service is receiving over $88 million in funding for cutting-edge research to improve the productivity, sustainability, and health of the nation’s agricultural systems. In addition, funding was secured for key Oregon agriculture research programs, including funding for research on the Sudden Oak Death pathogen plaguing Oregon’s South Coast. Other research funding victories include research for alfalfa, barley, tree fruits, pear, wheat, hops, hemp, apple, shellfish, small fruits, seaweed, floriculture, nurseries, and rangeland ecology.

Rural Housing: The bill includes $1.6 billion for rental assistance and $48 million for Rural Housing Service Vouchers, which will help address the urgent affordable housing crisis facing Oregon’s rural communities. The Senators also secured $1 million to fund nonprofits and public housing authorities to preserve at-risk rural affordable housing, resulting in more rural residents benefitting from stable, affordable, and decent housing.

Rural Energy Saving Program: The bill includes$3.5 million in new appropriations for Fiscal Year 2024 to keep the program operating at its current levels. The program—which provides funding to rural utilities and other companies to increase energy efficiency—was created by Senator Merkley, who prioritized getting the funding needed to kickstart the program when he was the top Democrat on the Agriculture subcommittee. The funding from this bill would be leveraged for an additional $20 million in investment which when combined with the $85 million in carryover authority from previous years will allow the program to finance $105 million in projects.

Rural Business: The bill includes funding for a number of USDA’s Rural Development programs, including $66.6 million for business development programs. These business development programs help businesses grow as well as provide job training for rural America.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): The bill provides $7.03 billion for WIC, which provides free food packages designed to safeguard the health of pregnant, breast-feeding, and postpartum women and infants who are at nutrition risk because of inadequate nutrition. This is a $1.3 billion increase over FY23 and will protect essential benefits for nearly 7 million women and kids nationwide and ensure that no one will be put on a waitlist or denied assistance.

With half of the key government funding bills for FY24 now passed by Congress and signed into law, Merkley and Wyden will keep working to ensure the remaining six funding bills follow suit later this month without steep cuts to programs and projects Oregon families rely on. Passing these bills is necessary to avoid a partial government shutdown that would be harmful to communities across the state and nation.

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Merkley, Wyden Announce Oregon Projects Promoting Economic Development and Community Safety Pass in 2024 Funding Package

Funding included in the FY24 minibus appropriations package champions Oregon manufacturing, employment training opportunities, and enhanced emergency response coordination.

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced major economic development and community safety improvement investments for Oregon—including over $16 million in funding for 15 critical community-initiated projects across the state—have passed through the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) minibus funding package. This six-bill package cleared both chambers of Congress last week and was quickly signed into law by President Biden.

Successfully pushing back against the most extreme funding cuts and harmful policy provisions proposed by House Republicans, Merkley and Wyden secured the investments in the FY24 Senate Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) bill in the funding package.

The CJS funding bill also supports programs and projects that boost job creation and innovation—particularly in rural, coastal, and underserved communities—and public safety system upgrades that will better protect Oregon communities from wildfire threats and other disasters.

“As I hold a town hall in each of Oregon’s 36 counties every year, I hear firsthand from folks about what matters most to them, including robustly supporting Oregon’s economic development and ensuring our communities are prepared should disasters strike,” Merkley said. “The community-initiated projects funded in these bills will boost rural and coastal infrastructure and salmon recovery efforts and help upgrade public safety and emergency alert systems to keep Oregonians safe during disasters.”

“These key federal investments will generate jobs throughout Oregon and make our entire state a safer place to live and work,” Wyden said. “I’m glad the teamwork with Oregonians who shared their priorities with me and Senator Merkley in town halls and other settings has produced such community-strengthening resources to bolster public safety, fight climate change, create educational opportunities and reduce homelessness.”

Merkley is the only Oregon member of Congress from either chamber since Senator Mark Hatfield to serve on the Appropriations Committee, which is one of the most powerful committees on Capitol Hill. He joined the committee in 2013 so that Oregon would have a strong voice in decisions about the investments our nation should be making.

The 15 community-initiated projects championed by Merkley and Wyden that passed in the CJS portion of the FY24 minibus funding package—with the support of members of Oregon’s congressional delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives—are as follows:

• $2,521,000 for the Oregon Kelp Alliance to help address marine habitat loss while providing benefits for community well-being, ecosystem services, climate resilience, and biodiversity. This project will restore 3-6 hectares of declining kelp forest habitat and benefit various coastal communities by increasing essential fish habitat, business opportunities in ecotourism and recreation, as well as enhancing job opportunities in kelp restoration work.
• $2 million for Lake County to upgrade its current public safety interoperable radio and microwave system. Lake County is Oregon’s third largest county by land area, and the funding will help modernize its microwave and radio systems so public safety agencies in the south end of the county can hear the north end public safety radio traffic. This project will address major officer safety issues, better handle call volume increases, and support more reliable, clear radio communication in the event of emergencies.
• $1.8 million for Marion County to install an emergency announcement system with loudspeakers in strategic locations in the Santiam Canyon. This will help ensure community members are notified of emergencies, such as wildfires, flooding, landslides, or dam failures given the unreliable phone and radio service in the remote area.
• $1,359,000 to help the City of Portland expedite the launch of a body-worn cameras program for officers and help ensure the longevity of the program to support further safety and transparency in law enforcement.
• $1,087,000 to help fund a fisheries vulnerability assessment through Oregon State University to provide timely, science-based information to better support science-informed community engagement in the Floating Offshore Wind development process.  
• $1,045,000 for the Oregon Institute of Technology to purchase solar manufacturing research equipment to create a Thin Film Research & Development Center at OIT’s Wilsonville campus, allowing students hands-on training and the potential for industry partnerships. 
• $963,000 for Portland State University (PSU) to create a transportation decarbonization resource hub. This will create a resource center to help government agencies, Tribal governments, and community partners better understand and prioritize transportation decarbonization investments via the development of analytical tools, which will assess the impact of transportation decarbonization activities. Secured with support from Rep. Bonamici.
• $963,000 for Washington County to rehabilitate law enforcement facilities. This will help fund the replacement of the HVAC system in Washington County’s three congregate care facilities and a portion of the county courthouse. Secured with support from Rep. Salinas.
• $963,000 for Benton County to enhance Regional Public Safety Radio Infrastructure. The funds will support their installation of three antennas and purchase of new radios to eliminate “dead-zones” in communication between agencies. This project will improve public safety and emergency response in Benton County by enhancing interoperability and situational awareness between law enforcement and Fire/EMS. Secured with support from Rep. Hoyle.
• $963,000 for the City of Eugene to replace body-worn cameras and in-car video systems for the City’s police department. This will help ensure the longevity of the program to support further safety and transparency in law enforcement. The systems record interactions between police officers and the public, capturing evidence and providing an impartial accounting of events. These systems are a vital component of the local Criminal Justice System. Secured with support from Rep. Hoyle.
• $880,000 to help the City of Medford acquire a Mobile Incident Command Center which will provide a central hub for coordinating emergency response and significantly enhance regional resiliency among the City of Medford and its partners throughout the Rogue Valley. 
• $552,000 for Coos County’s Records Reduction and Accessibility Project. The funding will be used to acquire and operate digital scanning equipment for local law enforcement to digitize paperwork to be scanned as a matter of public record. Secured with support from Rep. Hoyle.
• $500,000 for Clackamas County’s Clackamas School-Based Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Juvenile Justice Prevention Program. The funding will be used for staffing costs to expand an existing program that screens students in Clackamas County for potential substance abuse and connects them with appropriate services. Secured with support from Rep. Chavez-DeRemer.
• $300,000 for the City of Tigard to support a full-time Homelessness Community Service Officer,ensuring the officer’s salary is sustained for two years. Secured with support from Rep. Salinas.
• $300,000 to support the final major equipment needs for the Columbia Gorge Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Program, which consists of two labs used by all programs offered by CGCC, high school pathway programs, and local businesses in the area.  

For quotes from community-initiated project recipients included in the CJS portion of the FY24 minibus funding package, click HERE.

Other key funding in the CJS portion includes:

Economic Development Administration (EDA): $468 million was secured for the program through the CJS funding bill. The EDA leverages existing regional assets to support economic development in rural communities.

Klamath Basin Salmon Restoration: As historic dam removal continues in the Klamath River Basin, it is vital for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other federal agencies to have a comprehensive strategy for habitat restoration and recovery of salmon to the Basin. The CJS funding bill directs NOAA to develop an investment strategy for the entire Basin in anticipation for the completion of the dam removal.

Salmon Recovery: The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund received $65 million in the CJS funding bill. The competitive grant program is designed to address declining Pacific salmon and steelhead populations by supporting conservation efforts in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska. 

Sea Grant Program:  $80 million for the National Sea Grant College Program is secured in the CJS funding bill. The program is a priority for Oregon State University and uses targeted local investments to create economic growth, sustainable fisheries, and resilient coastal communities.

Coastal Zone Management: The Coastal Zone Management grants were funded at $32 million in the CJS funding bill. The program works with Oregon and other coastal states to address some of today’s most pressing coastal issues — climate change, ocean planning, and planning for energy facilities and development. These grants help protect natural resources, improve public access, facilitate coordination between state and federal authorities, and manage hazardous areas.

Tribal Grants and Victim Assistance: Historically, the Native and Tribal community in Oregon has been disenfranchised in law enforcement, health outcomes, and victims’ rights. To address these critical issues, the committee approved a total of $118 million in grant funding for various programs, including $50 million for Tribal assistance, $34 million for Tribal resources, and $4 million for the Office of Violence Against Women for a special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction program.

Addressing Violence Against Women: The CJS funding bill contains $713 million for grants provided by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women. This funding supports multiple grant programs that support training for police officers and prosecutors, state domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions, rape prevention programs, domestic violence hotlines, and women’s shelters and transitional housing support services.

With half of the key government funding bills for FY24 now passed by Congress and signed into law, Merkley and Wyden will keep working to ensure the remaining six funding bills follow suit later this month without steep cuts to programs and projects Oregon families rely on. Passing these bills is necessary to avoid a partial government shutdown that would be harmful to communities across the state and nation.