Air tanker base included in bill - February 14, 2003
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SUNNY Temp: 54 °F Wind: W at 6 mph Tuesday, February 25, 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 February 14, 2003 Air tanker base included in bill Funding for upgrading the Medford air tanker base is included in a federal spending bill now before Congress. The $1.2 million is earmarked for the Forest Service tanker base at the Medford airport to pay for improvements the agency says are critical to its continued operation, according to U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River. The amount is equal to the funding level Walden requested in last year’s House version of the Interior Appropriations Bill. But it was not approved before Congress adjourned last fall. The Forest Service had intended to close the base, but Walden and government officials, including the boards of commissioners from Jackson and Josephine counties, fought to keep the base open. They argued that without the base, fighting wildfires in the region would be more costly and ineffective. "The Medford base is simply indispensable to the efforts of our firefighting community in protecting both lives and property in the region," Walden said. 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 © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S