Document text
P/CLOUDY Temp: 67 °F Wind: NW at 6 mph Monday, August 19, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Cyberchef E The People Golf Job Network Headbone Zone Wellness Connection Movie Times Newspaper in Education Oregon CarZone Outdoor Journal Personals Prime Times Real Estate Tempo A & E TV Times W3 Magazine CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Destinations Automotive Communities Employment Entertainment Publications Real Estate Recreation Shopping Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Jobs @ Mail Tribune Email Story to a Friend July 26, 2002 Tanker base hits holding pattern Senate leaves out funds for Medford renovation despite House approval of $1.2 million project By DANI DODGE Mail Tribune Although the House of Representatives approved $1.2 million to upgrade Medford’s air tanker base, the Senate version of the bill does not include money for Southern Oregon’s wildfire fighting center. Despite the setback, Oregon’s senators and congressmen vowed Thursday to work toward making sure that the final bill — which will be crafted in a committee of Senate and House members — will include the money. "It is essential that Oregon’s air tanker bases be continually maintained and upgraded," said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. In the House, Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River, got the $1.2 million into the annual Interior Department appropriations bill. In the Senate, Wyden and Sen. Gordon Smith wrote a letter to the Senate interior subcommittee requesting the funds, but did not prevail. The Senate bill passed out of the committee July 1. It will go to a full vote of the Senate possibly before its recess in early August. Then, it will go to conference committee, which works out the differences between the House and Senate versions. The tanker base at the Medford airport has been used as a primary base for fighting wildfires in Southern Oregon and Northern California since the 1950s. Last year the Oregon Department of Forestry announced plans to close the base and move all operations to Klamath Falls. But public outcry prompted officials to put that plan on hold. If approved, the $1.2 million would repair the aircraft ramp, purchase retardant meters, update the retardant containment system, and construct an operations building and three concrete loading pits. Jackson County Commissioner Jack Walker, who has spearheaded the fight to keep the base in Medford, said the funding is important not only to upgrade the facility, but also to show a commitment to keeping the base in Medford. "I just can’t imagine when we’re having all the struggle with the fires at the same time the bill came out of conference, how that happened," Walker said. "I’m not sure anyone knows — but I’m sure it will be worked on diligently." Walden, like the senators, pledged to do what he can to get the money in the bill ultimately signed by the president. "I think the funding for the Medford tanker base stands a very good chance of being included in the final bill," Walden said. "By getting the funding included in the House bill, we've already cleared the biggest hurdle, by far. "More than anything else, the fires that have ravaged Southern Oregon over the last few weeks have demonstrated just how important the Medford base is to the protection of forests, lives and homes in the Rogue Valley." Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, 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 web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S