For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, September 24, 2003

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) announced that she has secured $4.5 million for Washington state tribal programs in the Senate Interior Appropriations bill, which was passed out of the Senate last night. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Murray worked to ensure that Washington state’s tribes would receive this important federal funding. The funding supports a number of tribal initiatives throughout the state.

“I strongly support funding for these key natural resource programs which the Administration has cut from its budget request every year," Murray said. “Tribes need and deserve financial support for these programs to manage fisheries, shellfish, wildlife and water quality.”

The funding for Washington state tribal programs includes the following:

• $3.08 million for the Timber, Fish, Wildlife Program

• $630,000 for Lake Roosevelt Management

• $507,000 for shellfish management

• $320,000 for the Upper Columbia United Tribes.