Congressman Peter DeFazio has joined members of the Oregon delegation in sending a letter to Assistant Secretary for the Army of Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy encouraging the Administration to use a portion of federal funds towards operations and maintenance projects at Oregon’s small ports.
Representatives Peter DeFazio and Kurt Schrader, along with Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, urged the Administration to use additional funds appropriated by Congress in the Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2017 to ensure that Oregon’s small ports receive the dredging funds they need.
Despite a continuing need for maintenance work, such as dredging, no funding was included in the President’s FY 2017 Budget for the Ports of Umpqua, Bandon, Garibaldi, Port Orford or Depoe Bay.
“Small ports and harbors are some of our nation’s most valuable assets and critical to maintaining and creating jobs. Commercial fishing and recreational boating at these small ports is critically important to the economic health of Oregon coastal communities and to our state, region and nation. That’s why it is so important that funding to dredge these ports is included in the 2017 work plan,” the letter said.