Issue 279                                                                                                               July 13, 2007

In this issue:
U.S. House releases �earmarks� for Corps projects

 

U.S. House releases �earmarks� for Corps projects

On July 12, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee submitted a supplemental report providing details on their Corps Civil Works appropriations recommendations. Of interest to PNWA are the following projects identified in the Committee�s report.

 

Construction General

 

�         Columbia River channel improvement was funded at the President�s requested level of $15M. This matches the Senate.

�         Mt. St. Helens sediment control was funded at the President�s requested level of $10.2M. This also matches the Senate.

�         Lower Columbia River ecosystem restoration was increased from $1.0M to $2.2M. The Senate included $1.5M.

 

General Investigations

 

�         Elliott Bay Seawall received $300K. It was not funded in the President�s budget. The Senate Committee appropriated $750K.

 

Operations and Maintenance

 

The House funded Region 17, the Pacific Northwest, at $8.127M higher than the President�s request. The House followed the President�s budget for all PNWA-supported O&M projects with the exception of the following increases:

�         Coos Bay was funded at $6.967M, $3M higher than in the President�s budget and the Senate Committee�s bill.

�         Tillamook Bay and Bar received $2M, matching the Senate. The President had zero.

�         Siuslaw River was increased from $520K to $739K. The Senate included $520K.

�         Yaquina River, for the Port of Toledo, received $848K. The Senate provided $400K. The project was not funded in the President�s budget.

�         Umpqua River received $2.218M. The President and the Senate provided $974K.

�         Columbia River at Baker Bay was funded at $640K. The Senate had $500K and the President�s budget had zero.

 

As the House and Senate move toward completion of their versions of the FY2008 Energy & Water appropriations bills, and as the differences, including those noted above, are worked out in a conference committee, PNWA will keep you informed of specific project funding numbers and important language in the bills. PNWA appreciates the efforts made by the Northwest Congressional delegation to improve upon the President�s budget by providing additional funding for several important projects. �For more information, or to find out how to get involved please contact PNWA at 503-234-8550 or www.pnwa.net.

 

 

Staff Contact: Kristin Meira

 

Pacific Northwest Waterways Association                                          www.pnwa.net