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Subcommittee approves series of retroactive federal grant applications for natural‑resources work
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Summary
The Interim Joint Committee on Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee on Sept. 30 approved retroactive authorization to apply for multiple federal grants — covering coastal wetlands, trade promotion, forest health, conservation staffing, fish passage and transit projects — and will carry recommendations to the full committee.
The Interim Joint Committee on Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee on Tuesday approved a package of retroactive federal grant applications from state agencies and recommended those approvals to the full committee.
Members voted or voiced no objection to authorizations for the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (a $1,000,000 application to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for coastal wetlands restoration on behalf of the Coquille Watershed Association), the Oregon Business Development Department’s participation in the SBA State Trade Expansion Program (federal ask $500,000, state match $167,000), Oregon Department of Agriculture forest‑health capacity funding ($136,500 from the U.S. Forest Service), two Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) applications including a $777,702.66 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation conservation partners request to sustain Eastern Oregon positions, and a $350,000 NFWF proposal for Gallagher Slough fish passage and habitat work in Tillamook County. The subcommittee also approved two Oregon Department of Transportation applications: a $21.4 million bus and bus facilities request (5339B) with $4.7 million in local match, and $3.4 million in low‑ or no‑emission vehicle requests with roughly $600,000 in local match.
Legislative and administrative staff recommended approval for each request. Where special concerns arose — notably invasive‑species monitoring tied to the ODA request — members asked agencies to follow up with LFO to clarify staffing needs and budget implications. Two transit applications (the bus/bus‑facility and low/no‑emission vehicle grants) received roll call votes and passed; several other items were approved by voice without roll call. All approved requests will advance to the full Joint Ways and Means committee for further consideration.
Votes at a glance: - Item 15 (OWEB, Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant): Approved (voice). Requested: $1,000,000; applicant: OWEB on behalf of Coquille Watershed Association. - Item 14 (OBDD STEP): Approved (voice). Federal ask $500,000; state match $167,000; Business Oregon administers STEP. - Item 16 (ODA Forest Health Initiatives): Approved (voice). Federal amount $136,500; capacity funds for weeds, invasive wood‑borers, and sudden oak death work. - Item 17 (ODFW Conservation Partners): Approved (voice). Requested $777,702.66 to fund four positions and Eastern Oregon technical assistance. - Item 18 (ODFW Gallagher Slough): Approved (voice). Requested $350,000 for fish passage design, public engagement and habitat restoration. - Item 19 (ODOT 5339B Bus & Bus Facility): Approved (roll call: 5 yes, 2 no, 1 excused). Federal ask ~$21.4 million; local match ~$4.7 million. - Item 20 (ODOT Low/No Emission Vehicles): Approved (roll call; majority yes including one courtesy yes change). Federal ask ~$3.4 million; local match ~$600,000.
Next steps: Approved retroactive authorizations move to the full Joint Ways and Means committee; agencies were asked to submit any required written follow‑up for unanswered LFO questions and to post materials to OLIS where required.
