Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced a number of crucial wins for Oregon in the Senate agricultural spending bill, which will invest in agriculture, rural housing, food assistance, and rural business priorities that will benefit farms and families in every corner of the state. These wins have been included in Congress’s final funding package for fiscal year 2022, the omnibus spending bill, which is expected to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law by President Biden this week.
“As I travel rural Oregon I hear about numerous farming and ranching challenges and the need for rural housing and broadband,” dijo Merkley, el exlíder demócrata del subcomité. “The ag spending bill invests in all that and more and I’m really proud to support it.”
“I’ve kept my promise to hold town halls each year in each of our state’s 36 counties in large part so I can hear directly and consistently from rural Oregonians about their needs when it comes to agriculture, wildfires, housing, broadband and much more,” dijo Wyden. “After more than 1,000 town halls statewide and counting, I’m gratified this legislation provides such a robust response to the economic and quality-of-life concerns I’ve heard at those town halls and other settings in rural Oregon.”
Merkley es el único miembro del Congreso de Oregón de cualquier cámara desde el Senador Mark Hatfield que forma parte del Comité de Apropiaciones, considerado uno de los más poderosos del Capitolio. Se unió al comité en 2013 para que Oregón tuviera una voz fuerte en las decisiones sobre las inversiones que nuestra nación debería hacer.
Key elements to benefit Oregonians that included in today’s bill are:
Investigación sobre la exposición al humo de la uva de vino: The unprecedented wildfire seasons of recent years have blanketed much of the state of Oregon with dense, hazardous smoke, which has significantly impacted Oregon’s wine grape harvest. To better understand the challenges facing Oregon’s wine growers, the bill includes $3 million for research into smoke-impacted grapes at Oregon State University (OSU) and other West Coast universities, a $1.5 million increase.
Vivienda Rural: The bill includes $1.45 billion for rental assistance and $45 million for Rural Housing Service Vouchers, which will help address the urgent housing crisis facing Oregon’s rural communities.
Programa de Ahorro de Energía Rural: The bill increases the authority available for the energy efficiency upgrades to $208 million. The program, which provides funding to rural utilities and other companies to increase energy efficiency, was created by Senator Merkley when he was the top Democrat on the subcommittee.
Conservación del agua y restauración del hábitat: The bill includes $100 million for the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations, in addition to the $500 million included in the IIJA for the program. This funding used to replace open irrigation ditches with pipes is critical to 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. Construction has begun on several key projects to address water resource interests in Central Oregon, including in Distrito de Riego Tumalo y Distrito de riego de Oregón central, y la financiación anunciada hoy permitirá una mayor expansión.
Mariscos del Pacífico: The bill includes $2.5 million of federal funding for cutting-edge research to improve the productivity, sustainability, and resiliency of the Pacific shellfish agricultural system. This research is critical to efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate chaos on the health and economies of Oregon’s coastal communities.
Ganadería de pastizales occidentales: El proyecto de ley incluye $3 millones para el establecimiento de un centro de ganadería de precisión de pastizales occidentales para desarrollar estrategias de nutrición basadas en precisión para el ganado basado en pastizales, así como estrategias de gestión de ganado y pastizales basadas en tecnología para optimizar la salud y la productividad de los pastizales occidentales. la ganadería y el ecosistema de los pastizales. Esta financiación se dividirá entre las universidades de concesión de tierras en Oregón, Montana y Wisconsin.
Muerte súbita del roble y otras investigaciones agrícolas: El Servicio de Investigación Agrícola recibió un aumento de $180 millones en fondos para investigación de vanguardia para mejorar la productividad, la sostenibilidad y la salud de los sistemas agrícolas de la nación. Además, Merkley pudo obtener fondos para programas clave de investigación agrícola de Oregón, incluidos fondos para la investigación del patógeno Muerte súbita del roble que azota la costa sur. Otras victorias en la financiación de la investigación incluyen la investigación de la alfalfa, la cebada, los árboles frutales, la pera, el trigo, el lúpulo, el cáñamo, la manzana, los mariscos, las frutas pequeñas, las algas, la floricultura, los viveros y la ecología de los pastizales.
Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT): The bill continues funding the Summer EBT program at $45 million. This program has provided much-needed nutrition for Oregon families during the summer months when schools are not in session.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): SNAP is funded at $140.4 billion, a 23 percent increase or $26 billion over fiscal year 2021. This increase will ensure Oregonians receive increased benefits.
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP): $581 million for a federally-funded, state-administered program that reimburses program operators who serve free healthy meals and snacks to children and teens in low-income areas. Maintaining level funding for this program is important for children to receive access to healthy and nutritious meals while on summer break.
Cuerpo de alimentos: El proyecto de ley proporciona un aumento de $500,000 para el aprendizaje del servicio de alimentos y agricultura. Este programa ayuda a mejorar los recursos educativos para una alimentación saludable, especialmente entre los niños.
Cáñamo: The bill provides $4 million for Agricultural Research Services (ARS). ARS funding will allow for critical hemp genetic research and breeding with new techniques. Hemp has already quickly become one of Oregon’s leading cash crops, and many feel it has the potential to bring in more than $1 billion in sales to Oregon in the coming years with a fair and reasonable regulatory framework.
In addition to the funding allotments above, Merkley and Wyden secured federal funding for nine projects throughout Oregon. Those funds and projects include:
- $4,875,000 headed to the Ochoco Irrigation District, to implement two phases of its irrigation modernization project. Once completed, the project will return 12 cfs of water to the Crooked River that will improve habitat for fish and wildlife and also provide agricultural benefits for farmers and ranchers. The federal funds will be boosted by matching funds from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and grants from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.
- $2,500,000 secured for the East Fork Irrigation District of Hood River County, to complete the final phase of their system modernization project—the piping of the Eastside Lateral Canal.
- $2,000,000 secured for the Wallowa Lake Dam Rehabilitation project, which will include necessary fish passage facilities and further the efforts to restore imperiled species that inhabit Wallowa Lake and the Wallowa River.
- $750,000 secured for the McKay Creek Irrigation Efficiency Project, which is organized by the Deschutes River Conservancy, and will work with 15 landowners along the creek to implement projects that improve irrigation practices and increase crop production. The efforts will help restore flows to the middle section of McKay Creek, an important cold-water tributary of the Crooked River.
- $500,000 headed to the Detroit Lake Foundation, to support the construction of a new Community Center in Detroit after the previous one was destroyed in the 2020 Labor Day fires. The Center will serve as an emergency shelter, daycare, and early education facility.
- $450,000 headed for the Warm Springs Commissary Project, which the Warm Springs Community Action Team is undertaking to restore the 125-year-old commissary building on the Warm Springs Reservation. The renovated building will be an economic hub for the community.
- $150,000 se dirigieron al Banco de Alimentos de Oregón y la Conexión Comunitaria del Noreste de Oregón para mejorar los bancos de alimentos rurales y los centros de distribución de alimentos.
- $50,000 secured to support broadband solar internet trailers in Sherman County—trailers that are parked in rural areas and beam wireless high-speed internet to homes in valleys.
- $50,000 headed to the Friends of the Fossil Library to help secure a new facility for the Fossil Public Library.
“This year’s drought has shown how badly we need to modernize agricultural infrastructure,” said Julie O’Shea, Executive Director of the Farmers Conservation Alliance. “East Fork Irrigation District’s watershed plan alone will save the equivalent amount of water as the cities of Eugene, Salem and Hood River consume for drinking water each year. In total, irrigation modernization projects in Oregon will support over 1700 jobs, reduce the cost for Oregon’s farmers and protects water instream for fish. Senator Merkley’s and Senator Wyden’s leadership on securing investments that increase agricultural resilience and maximize environmental benefits has been critical.”
“The economic sustainability of wheat production in the Pacific Northwest requires healthy research facilities. Senator Merkley and Senator Wyden have been dedicated to sustaining the Ag Research stations Oregon producers depend upon for long term viability of farming operations,” dijo Amanda Hoey, directora ejecutiva de la Liga de Productores de Trigo de Oregón.
“The recent Western US drought and chaotic climate events underscore the importance of redoubled efforts to protect and enhance resilience of dry land farming in Oregon and the PNW. Senator Merkley’s and Senator Wyden’s prescient investments in new scientists and research to cope with our mounting challenges could not have come at a more critical time for the survival of dry land farm families and rural economies. I am grateful for their insight into local needs and the vital support provided by their teams.” dijo Greg Goad, miembro de enlace de ARS/OSU, Pendleton Station.
"El Distrito de Riego de Ochoco está encantado de que la Senadora Merkley haya incluido con éxito nuestro proyecto de modernización del riego en este proyecto de ley de gastos". said Bruce Scanlon, manager of Ochoco Irrigation District. “This project is part of OID’s mission to effectively and efficiently serve irrigation needs of our patrons: Not only will it reduce the operations and maintenance costs for farmers in the district, it will also save water—returning it to the Crooked River and benefitting fish species. And project construction will employ dozens of people in our community. We thank Senator Merkley for his leadership, and urge Congress to include this funding in the final bill.”
“Los esfuerzos del Senador Merkley para asegurar el financiamiento para el Proyecto de Tráiler de Banda Ancha Solar del Condado de Sherman en el margen del Comité de Apropiación para la Agricultura son muy apreciados”, said Joe Dabulskis, Sherman County Judge. “Fast, reliable internet access can be life changing and is key to our residents’ ability to access medical care, education and job opportunities. We are fortunate to be able to partner our efforts with Senator Merkley’s to add more solar trailers to provide service to our citizens.”
“We truly appreciate Senator Merkley’s and Senator Wyden’s leadership and advocacy on behalf of the Northeast Oregon Regional Food Bank and Community Connection. We’ve been the region’s food bank since 1985, and our new food distribution center is about eight times larger than our previous facility. Senator Wyden’s and Senator Merkley’s support for the much improved center ensures that residents of Northeast Oregon will have access to healthy food for decades to come,” dijo Margaret Davidson, Directora Ejecutiva, Community Connection of Northeast Oregon, Inc.
“Este es un día muy emocionante para el Distrito de Irrigación de East Fork”, said Steve Pappas, District Manager of East Fork Irrigation District. “We have been working hard for over 30 years to modernize our system. With this investment, we will be able to continue modernizing the Eastside Service Area. The project will conserve water, reduce energy use, improve irrigation water reliability, and enhance fish and wildlife habitat in the Hood River watershed. We appreciate Senator Merkley’s leadership in helping us increase the resilience of our communities and farming in the Hood River Basin for the next 100 years.”
“Estamos agradecidos por esta inversión continua, que beneficiará las tierras, las aguas y la vida silvestre de Oregón. Permite a las partes interesadas en la artemisa del este de Oregon formar equipo con el ARS para avanzar en la conservación basada en la ciencia colaborativa y demostrar la importancia de la ciencia para abordar problemas complejos del ecosistema, como el aumento de la actividad de los incendios forestales y los pastos anuales invasivos”. dijo Garth Fuller, Director de Conservación del Este de Oregón, The Nature Conservancy.
“For the second year in a row, Senator Merkley has secured language in support of a clinical trial for a rare and debilitating neurologic disorder that disproportionately affects children, known as Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration, or PKAN,” said OHSU neurologist Dr. Penny Hogarth, one of the study leads. “This is a devastating disease and Senator Merkley’s advocacy has helped OHSU researchers advance a promising treatment in an accelerated, low-cost model, benefitting PKAN patients and families across Oregon and the country.”
“Este financiamiento es una inversión invaluable en un proyecto que restaura los flujos naturales a McKay Creek, respaldando la reintroducción de la trucha arco iris y brindando agua presurizada más confiable a los agricultores. Estamos agradecidos por esta inversión federal en un proyecto verdaderamente beneficioso para todos que retribuye a la comunidad y al ecosistema”. dijo Kate Fitzpatrick, directora ejecutiva de Deschutes River Conservancy.
“Estamos agradecidos por los esfuerzos que el Senador Merkley y el Senador Wyden han realizado para obtener fondos para nuestro proyecto de la Presa del Lago Wallowa. Reparar esta presa peligrosa de 100 años de antigüedad es algo en lo que la comunidad ha trabajado durante décadas, y verla completa continuará ayudando a nuestra comunidad a prosperar durante muchos años, ayudando a evitar inundaciones catastróficas, proporcionando agua para riego y proporcionando infraestructura para los peces que buscan acceder a las aguas frías y claras del lago Wallowa”, dijo Joe Dawson, Secretario del Distrito de Riego de Wallowa Lake.
“We are moving and restoring the Commissary, a 125-year old historic building, and turning it into a small business incubator for Warm Springs entrepreneurs. It will be a launch pad for successful local businesses, and will eventually offer retail space, co-working space, a food truck pod, commercial kitchen, outdoor market, outdoor recreation and pavilion space, and a classroom/conference room for community use. The Commissary is more than a building; it is the anchor project of what we expect to be a larger downtown business district in Warm Springs. We are thrilled to receive this funding; it will truly assist us in building and strengthening our local business community, and in making Warm Springs a more vibrant place,” said Chris Watson, Executive Director, Warm Springs Community Action Team.
###
Spanish 
English