25 October 2013
Small Ports Guaranteed Maintenance Funding
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will soon begin dealing with a $40-billion funding backlog.
Fourth District Congressman Peter DeFazio said the Water Resources Reform Development Act cleared the U.S. House by a 417-three margin and will be reconciled with a similar bill passed by the Senate earlier this year.
The law will give the Army Corps the authorization and funding to move forward with overdue navigation, flood control and environmental restoration projects.
It applies to all sizes of projects, but DeFazio says most importantly, ten percent of funding will be set aside for small ports like the Ports of Siuslaw and Umpqua. The Springfield Democrat said it will “turn the tide” for Oregon coastal communities.
More parking in downtown Reedsport will benefit anglers and boaters
The City of Reedsport will benefit from a $130-thousand grant from the Oregon State Marine Board. The money will be used by Reedsport officials to purchase and improve a parcel of land in the downtown area and expand parking opportunities for boaters and anglers near Rainbow Plaza.
The balance of the $173-thousand project will come from cash, labor and in-kind contributions from the city.
The grant approval came this week after board members toured the proposed project area Tuesday afternoon. They made the final funding decision Wednesday when the met in Old Town Florence.
Pumpkin Carvings Net $1500 to be split between three non-profits
There was a new wrinkle at this year’s Original Great Pumpkin Giveaway. It was a pumpkin carving contest with 19 entries coming from advertisers on Coast Radio.
The Siuslaw Athletic Booster Club netted the top cash prize of $750 courtesy of the “pumpkin lamp” carved by Hal’s Electric. The Siuslaw Valley Fire Fighters won 2nd place with their “pumpkin eating a pumpkin eating a pumpkin”. $250 will go to the firefighter’s association.
The People’s Choice award was given to Coast Insurance Services for their “Pumpkin Burger”. $500 will be awarded to the Crossroad Weekend Food Backpack Program.
The annual event, presented by Florence True Value, was in recognition of Coast Radio’s 25th anniversary.
