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M/CLOUDY Temp: 44 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, February 19, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 28, 2003 Congress approves funding of several local projects City of Medford will use $1 million to conduct study regarding the use of treated wastewater for irrigation By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune Congress voted to fund an array of Oregon projects Sunday night, including several that would bring more than $5.5 million to the Rogue Valley. The local projects include a new headquarters building at the Oregon Caves National Monument, protection of the Illinois River and a city of Medford study on using wastewater for irrigation. Natural resource projects locally are set to receive approximately $3.5 million under the Omnibus Appropriations Act for the 2003 fiscal year. Senators Gordon Smith, R-Ore., and Ron Wyden, D- Ore., worked on the bill, which still must be signed by the president. The National Park Service will receive $1,044,000 to replace the headquarters building at the Oregon Caves near Cave Junction. Approximately $2.5 million will be used to maintain and protect the scenic and whitewater areas of the Illinois River. The city of Medford will use $1 million funded by the bill to conduct a study to determine the feasibility and environmental impacts of using treated wastewater for irrigation, leaving more water in local streams, said Cory Crebbin, Medford public works director. He said it provides a direct savings for local residents. "If we can get federal funding for some of this stuff, it’s almost dollar for dollar what we would have to charge in rate increases," Crebbin said. Local officials also are hopeful that some funds to bolster the economy may find their way to Jackson County. The federal bill gives $3.5 million to the Pacific Northwest Assistance Fund, which provides grant funds to rural communities dependent on timber. The fund gives grants to small businesses, as well as money to local agencies to train former timber workers in new occupations. "These federal funds flowing into our community could help train and retrain individuals for our diversifying labor market," said Rich Cole, executive director of the Southern Oregon Job Council in Medford. The appropriations bill also would provide $600,000 for a water project in Gold Hill and $100,000 for Medford’s Santo Community Center to remodel a group meeting room and patio area. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S