Money set aside for Columbia River projects

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved a measure Wednesday carving out funding for Columbia River maintenance, small port dredging and Hanford cleanup.

U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, supported the measure and said in a press release it includes several Southwest Washington priorities.

“Our local economy is uniquely reliant on one of the greatest river systems in the world, and our tax dollars should be carefully spent to make sure that continues. Whether it’s the ongoing maintenance our small ports need to survive, Hanford cleanup resources, protection against destructive quagga mussels, or preservation of private property rights, this bill focuses on the right priorities for Southwest Washington,” Herrera Beutler said in a statement.

Local priorities include:

• $2.4 billion for navigation projects, ensuring goods can travel through the region and to the rest of the world.

• Extends funding for construction and rehabilitation projects on jetties at the mouth of the Columbia River.

• $42.5 million for dredging and maintenance of ports on Chinook, Ilwaco and many others on the Columbia River.

• Funding of $4 million to assist in preventing the spread of quagga mussels, an invasive species.