Congressman Rick Larsen's Online Office

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) has helped secure federal dollars for Skagit and Island County priorities in the Fiscal Year 2009 omnibus appropriations bill heading for a House vote this week.  The omnibus appropriations bill is the result of negotiations between House and Senate leadership and must pass both Houses of Congress before it can be signed into law.

“I am pleased that Skagit and Island County priorities, including local law enforcement, flood control and ferries, are on track to get federal funding and I thank my partner in the Senate, Senator Patty Murray, for helping deliver needed resources for the 2nd Congressional District and our state,” said Larsen.

Larsen helped secure the following appropriations:

$358,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue the Skagit Flood Control General Investigation Study

“In Skagit County, the question is not if the next flood is coming, but when,” said Larsen. “We need to protect the families, farms and businesses in harm’s way. Completing the Skagit River General Investigation study is critical to our community’s flood control efforts."

$371,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the Swinomish Channel to keep the channel navigable for local commerce

“According to the Port of Skagit County, approximately 340 local jobs depend on the Swinomish Channel being properly maintained,” said Larsen.  “Federal funding to dredge the Swinomish Channel will help ensure that boat builders, fisherman and other businesses can continue to create and sustain local jobs.”

 “The Port of Skagit County thanks Congressman Larsen and his staff for their dedicated persistence and focused hard work to obtain funding for the dredging of the Swinomish Channel,” said Patsy Martin, Executive Director for the Port of Skagit County in June 2008. “Maintaining a dredged channel is vital to the economic health of the La Conner Marina, Town of La Conner, Swinomish Tribe and Skagit County.  Boat builders, log processors, rock haulers, fishers and many others will be able to maintain and grow jobs due to the dredging paid for by this funding.  Again, thank you Congressman Larsen.”

$950,000 for Washington State Ferries to Build  Ferry Propulsion Systems

“In Washington state, ferries are a critical part of our transportation system,” said Larsen. “Twenty-five million passengers ride our ferries each year and millions more depend on them to keep our economy moving.” 

$25,000 for the Skagit County Drug Task Force to purchase surveillance equipment for their counter-narcotics operations; $80,000 to purchase and install additional laptops and software for the Island County Sheriff’s Office to use in their patrol cars

“Methamphetamine and other drugs continue to threaten our communities,” said Larsen, co-chair of the House Meth Caucus.  “In this time of tight budgets, we must ensure that local law enforcement officers have the tools they need to keep us safe. We cannot afford to short-change law enforcement and community efforts to fight drugs and crime.”

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