Congressman Rick Larsen's Online Office

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) has secured federal dollars for Skagit County priorities in a House funding bill passed by the Appropriations Committee this week. The Energy and Water appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2009 includes $250,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue the Skagit Flood Control General Investigation Study and $380,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the Swinomish Channel to keep it navigable for local commerce.  The final bill must pass the House and Senate before it can be signed into law.

Larsen helped secure the following appropriations in the funding bill:

$250,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue the Skagit Flood Control General Investigation Study

“It is critical that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers complete the Skagit River General Investigation study so our community can move forward with needed flood control projects,” said Larsen. “I will continue working to deliver federal funds to help protect Skagit families, farms and businesses from future floods.”

“During this time of massive flooding destruction in the Midwest we are looking to complete the GI study for Skagit County,” said Skagit County Commissioners Don Munks, Ken Dahlstedt and Sharon Dillon. “Thank you for your hard work regarding this important funding effort and we thank you for your assistance in previous years.”

$380,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the Swinomish Channel

“According to the Port of Skagit County, around 340 local jobs depend on the Swinomish Channel being properly maintained,” said Larsen.  “Federal funding to dredge the Swinomish Channel will help local boat builders, fisherman and others create jobs in our community.”

“The Port of Skagit County thanks Congressman Larsen and his staff for their dedicated persistence and focused hard work to obtain funding for the dredging of the Swinomish Channel,” said Patsy Martin, Executive Director for the Port of Skagit County. “Maintaining a dredged channel is vital to the economic health of the La Conner Marina, Town of La Conner, Swinomish Tribe and Skagit County.  Boat builders, log processors, rock haulers, fishers and many others will be able to maintain and grow jobs due to the dredging paid for by this funding.  Again, thank you Congressman Larsen.”