Washington, D.C. – Working to ensure Oregon’s
military infrastructure is up-to-date and able to provide the best in emergency
services, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D- Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D- Ore.)
announced today that a Military Construction appropriations bill headed to the
Senate floor includes nearly $5 million in projects for military installations
in Clackamas, Clatsop and Washington counties.
“These funds lay the ground work for improvements and
upgrades to the infrastructure in these facilities,” Wyden said. “From
improving roads and sewers to ensuring clean drinking water for local
communities during emergencies, these projects ensure that Oregon’s facilities
meet the needs of servicemembers and the surrounding community.”
“During the unprecedented deployment of the Oregon
National Guard, it’s critical we do everything we can to provide them with the
resources they need while they’re abroad and when they return home,” Merkley
said. “Not only will these funds provide much needed infrastructure
upgrades and services, they will also create jobs.”
Projects included in the Military Construction
appropriations bill include:
Camp Withycombe Infrastructure – $1,226,000
This project will support existing and future construction,
such as improvements to roads with curbs and landscaping, fitting storm and
sewer systems with a new manhole connection, improvements to the power
infrastructure and replacement of all overhead copper replaced by fiber
communication systems. The project would also reconfigure gas lines and
connections, install new water lines with new building connections and valves
as well as install lights in compounds and on the street.
Camp Rilea Water Supply System – $3,369,000
This project will develop an independent water supply system
to provide potable 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.
Washington County Readiness Center – $386,000
The funding will provide for the design of a replacement to
the existing armory in Hillsboro, Ore. to adequately accommodate units of D
Company, 2nd Battalion of the 162 Infantry Regiment. It would
construct a 37,707 sq. ft. facility to support administrative and training
functions for the unit with adequate classroom and administrative space for
training and operations for homeland security, anti-terrorism, and force
protection.
The bill will be considered by the full Senate and upon
passage will be reconciled with the version passed by the House of
Representatives and sent to the President for his signature.