Tag: Natural Resources and Rural Development

Region has strong ties to irrigation issues

Life in the Klamath Basin is virtually inseparable from the water and the natural resources that in many ways define this amazing place. The land and water of the region have shaped livelihoods and created cherished traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. Too often, though, and

Merkley Pledges to Continue Fighting for Critical Dredging Funds for Small Ports

FLORENCE – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley spoke at the Oregon Coast Economic Summit on Wednesday, highlighting his work for Oregon’s coastal communities and promising to keep pushing to maximize funds for small port dredging, a major driver of local coastal economies and an important source of jobs. Merkley also received

In Our View: Restoring the River

At 1,253 miles long, the Columbia River winds its way through the Pacific Northwest. The river and its tributaries touch seven states; people have lived along its banks and drawn their livelihoods from the river since prehistoric times. Seemingly as long and winding these days is getting important bills through

Merkley: ‘Irresponsible’ to Leave without Wildfire Funding

Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senate Republicans used a procedural tactic to kill an emergency supplemental spending bill, which included $615 million in emergency funding to fight wildfires in the West. “With thousands of acres engulfed in flames in the Northwest, and lives and property in jeopardy,

Merkley, Blumenauer Introduce Columbia River Restoration Act to Clean Up Columbia Basin

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) introduced the Columbia River Restoration Act (CRRA). The CRRA would authorize $50 million over five years for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a voluntary, competitive Columbia Basin grants program for projects that assist in eliminating or reducing

Oregon and Washington Congressional Delegations Urge Administration to Keep Offshore Drilling from Harming Northwest Coastal Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter sent today, fourteen Members of Congress from Oregon and Washington pressed the administration for continued protection of Oregon’s and Washington’s coasts from offshore drilling. Specifically, the letter urged the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to exclude Oregon and Washington’s Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)

Merkley, Wyden Press For Additional Firefighting Funds for Oregon

As wildfires spanning nearly 600,000 acres burn across Oregon – with lightning storms predicted for the next 48 hours – Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden led 10 other senators today in sending a letter to Senate leaders calling for swift passage of President Obama’s emergency supplemental funding request,

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