February 12, 2020 4:30 a.m.
Congressman Peter DeFazio has announced that he has secured an additional $11.7 million from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for projects in Oregon’s Fourth Congressional District.
A release from DeFazio said the funds come as part of the Fiscal Year 2020 work plan for the Corp’s Civil Works program.
DeFazio said the ports and harbors along the Oregon coast are critical lifelines for coastal communities and support jobs throughout the state. DeFazio said he is grateful the Corps listened to his requests and increased funding for dredging and maintenance at Oregon ports. He said more funding is needed for jetty work in Coos Bay, but thought the funding being provided “is a step in the right direction”. DeFazio said he will continue pushing to ensure that the needs of coastal communities in his district are being met.
The release said the new resources announced Tuesday will allow the Corps to conduct routine and necessary maintenance dredging at five ports in southwestern Oregon. The release said dredging keeps open the ports of call that serve Oregon fishing and ocean tourism industries which contribute hundreds of millions of dollars annually to the state’s economy. The Oregon Employment Department reports that commercial fishing directly employs nearly 500 people in Lane, Coos, and Curry counties.
The ports receiving funding for dredging projects are Coos Bay, Coquille River, Chetco River, Rogue River at Gold Beach and Siuslaw River.