Washington D.C. – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that nearly $6.4 million in projects to assist Oregon’s coastal communities and create jobs will be included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010. Projects in the bill include funding for a collaborative effort to protect and maintain the marine resources coastal communities depend on, funding to provide updated equipment to local fishermen, and resources for police officers to fight drug abuse.
“These projects will boost local economies along the Oregon coast and help sustain our vital fishing industry that has been hit hard in recent years,” said Merkley. “In addition, it’s important that we assist our police officers in the fight against drug abuse that can destroy Oregon families and damage local communities.”
“The projects in this bill will greatly benefit both the state and Oregon’s coastal communities,” Wyden said. “With funding to counter the region’s illegal drug trade, improve Camp Rilea’s water supply and the Coos Bay’s ice dock, this bill will create jobs and promote quality of life improvements.”
These projects are part of an omnibus appropriations bill that previously passed the House of Representatives. The omnibus bill combined the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; Financial Services; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; Transportation/Housing and Urban Development; Commerce, Justice and Science; and State-Foreign Operations appropriations bills. The vote held last weekend concluded the congressional appropriations process for those bills, which now require only the president’s signature to become law.
Projects in the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill include:
South Coast Interagency Narcotics Team (SCINT) – Coos County – $600,000
Funds will be used to increase regional efforts to counter illegal drug activities to promote public safety.
West Coast Governors’ Agreement on Ocean Health – Statewide – $500,000
Funds will support a collaborative effort by Oregon, Washington and California to maintain the health of coastal communities, protect marine habitat and estuaries and increase marine technology and research.
Oregon State Police Mobile Data Center – Statewide – $500,000
Funds will be spent to upgrade and enhance secure mobile data systems for Oregon State Police Officers.
Rx to Save Teens’ Lives – Statewide – $470,000
Funds will be used to prevent prescription drug abuse through education programs for youth and parents as well as to launch a statewide media campaign aimed at informing residents about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.
Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) – Statewide – $300,000
Funds will be used to provide services to sexual assault victims as well as support efforts to prevent sexual assault through education.
Projects in the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Bill include:
Helping our Heroes – Statewide – $300,000
This project will create a dedicated Oregon line at Oregon Partnership’s LifeLine Call Center for returning soldiers and their families dealing with mental health, suicide, and alcohol and drug problems. The program will provide hands-on support to military children and families prior to, during, and after the deployment of a parent or loved one. Calls will be answered by trained war veterans.
Projects in the Military Construction Appropriations Bill include:
Camp Rilea Water Supply System – $3,369,000
This project will develop an independent water supply system to provide portable drinking water and fire suppression water for Camp Rilea’s residents and emergency populations. The project includes construction of three 200’ groundwater supply wells, a 48’ by 60’ water treatment plant, a 400,000 gallon storage reservoir and well pump stations.
Projects in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill include:
Port of Coos Bay Dock Equipment – Coos County – $340,900
Funds will be used to purchase new dock equipment for commercial fishing vessels critical to the local economy.
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