WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield) announced that the House approved funding for dredging, wave energy and a meth abatement program on the Southern Coast. The funding was contained in H.R. 2764, the 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill. H.R. 2764, which passed the House last night, completes the appropriations process for this session of Congress. The Senate is expected to take action on the bill later this week.

In addition, the bill includes historic funding for higher education, veterans health care and the continued efforts in Afghanistan. The legislation however, does not include funding for the on going war in Iraq.

DeFazio requested funding for the following programs on the southern coast that received financial support within the Omnibus legislation:

• South Coast Interagency Narcotics Team received $164,500 to combat the meth problem on the Southern Coast
• Port of Coos Bay received $5,609,000 for dredging
• Port of Gold Beach received $427,000 for dredging and $441,000 for high dock repairs
• Port of Port Orford received $308,000 for dredging
• Port of Suislaw received $691,000 for dredging
• Port of Umpqua received $1,370,000 for dredging
• Ocean Power received $2,000,000 for a ocean wave renewable energy demonstration project