Merkley, Wyden announce passage of major funding for wildfire response and drought relief

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Merkley, Wyden announce passage of major funding for wildfire response and drought relief

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today [9/30/21] announced that key legislation to fund the federal government until December and respond to recent natural disasters has passed both chambers of Congress and will be signed into law. Merkley serves as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, one of the key subcommittees directing the funding.

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ODF will spend $1.8 million for projects in Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake and Curry counties to reduce wildfire risk

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ODF will spend $1.8 million for projects in Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake and Curry counties to reduce wildfire risk

MEDFORD, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry is putting to work in southwest and south-central Oregon a large share of $5 million it was granted in January by the Oregon Legislative Emergency Board (E-Board) for reducing wildfire risk across the state. Of 37 total projects statewide, the agency has lined up seven projects in Jackson, Josephine and Curry counties and seven in Klamath and Lake counties totaling $1.8 million. The projects rely on partnerships to improve community resilience to wildfire and restore and maintain healthy, resilient forests.

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Statement by Wyden on Spending Bill

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Statement by Wyden on Spending Bill

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement on voting for the must-pass government spending bill approved tonight by the Senate:

“Congress tonight took significant steps toward addressing the infernos that are ravaging Oregon and the West,”Wyden said. “I have fought for years to end ‘fire borrowing’ and provide a long-term, bipartisan fix to the Forest Service’s common-sense defying wildfire budget. I’m proud that my solution with Sen. Crapo will now become law and start allowing the Forest Service to get back to work in the woods to do the fire prevention that can save lives and protect communities in Oregon and nationwide.

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Walden Calls on Administration to Address Wildfire Funding, Forest Management Reform (Video)

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Walden Calls on Administration to Address Wildfire Funding, Forest Management Reform (Video)

In a letter to Mick Mulvaney, US Representative Greg Walden of Oregon is asking for "immediate attention to the damage catastrophic wildfires cause to our communities, States, national forests and other public lands throughout the country."

Representative Walden also spoke on the chamber floor today regarding wildfires in the Western Caucus. 

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