7/30/2024
Oregon – Official Release: Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) voted for H.R. 8998, the Department of Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025, which included a $6.75 million investment in water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the district. The bill, which passed the House, also boosts funding for Wildland Fire Management (WFM) and the Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve Fund.
“Unfortunately, Oregon is experiencing an intense wildfire season that has scorched thousands of precious acres and threatened communities across the state. While I stand ready to assist when federal disaster relief is needed, I’ll keep working to protect and increase needed funding for wildfire mitigation and management,” Chavez-DeRemer said. “In this appropriations bill, I also secured infrastructure investments that will protect drinking water in Sweet Home and help 5th District communities continue to grow and thrive for decades to come.”
The appropriations bill contains five of Chavez-DeRemer’s Community Project Funding requests, bringing home $6.75 million for water and wastewater infrastructure projects in the 5th District, including:
- $2.25 million for Sweet Home to retrofit its water treatment plant to provide safer drinking water to all residents;
- $1.25 for Molalla to construct a new wastewater treatment plant to prepare for continued growth;
- $1.25 million for Stayton to increase the capacity of the sewer pipe system and help prevent potential sewer overflow;
- $1 million for Marion County to design and construct a wastewater force main that will accommodate new homes, businesses, and other facilities; and
- $1 million for Terrebonne to build a new wastewater collection system to provide the community with a safe, efficient method to dispose of wastewater and provide an opportunity for new development.
Additionally, the proposal includes key investments in wildfire mitigation and management and renewable energy, including:
- A $177 million increase to Wildland Fire Management at the U.S. Forest Service, including a $100 million boost to the Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve Fund;
- Permanently addressing federal wildland firefighter pay by authorizing $330 million to support pay reforms; and
- A $2 million increase for the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement to support the production of offshore renewable energy.
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