(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced today that they have secured more than $390 million in federal funds for Washington’s military bases in the Fiscal Year 2007 Military Construction Appropriations bill. The bill passed the full Senate Appropriations Committee today.
As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray was successful in restoring $102 million for Fort Lewis, which was requested by the Pentagon but cut by the House of Representatives. This funding is the first of four installments for the $408 million brigade complex that will house the third Stryker brigade at Fort Lewis.
“Without this funding the Army would have been delayed at least a year in its plan to modernize Fort Lewis,” Senator Murray said. “The base population is going to increase, and these facilities are essential.”
The bill also includes $84 million to pay for the construction of two more barracks structures and $10.6 million for a new Child Development Center at Fort Lewis. The Army estimates that 25,000 soldiers will be based at Fort Lewis by the end of the year.
“These funds help modernize our military and make it more efficient,” Cantwell said. “I am proud of our brave men and women in the military and their service on our behalf. They need updated equipment and facilities to provide a strong national defense.”
The Senators also worked closely with Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA02) to secure the $83 million in funding for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and Naval Station Everett that was included in the House bill.
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island – $62.15 million
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$26.5 million for Hangar 5 Recapitalization (Phase I): The existing hangar facility for the Navy’s EA-6B Electronic Attack community is 50 years old and has a roof that is in danger of collapsing in an earthquake. This $56 million project will be funded over two years. -
$26 million for Consolidated Fuel Facility: This project will consolidate underground jet fuel storage tanks in four isolated locations to one facility closer to the flight line. Five aboveground steel tanks will replace 16 underground tanks that are over 50 years old. -
$9.65 million for an Indoor Washrack: This project will improve corrosion control, the material condition of the aircraft, and the health and retention of sailors who often wash planes in the rain, wind and cold.
Naval Station Everett Housing – $20.9 million
This project will provide an onshore home to 818 personnel as part of the Navy’s Homeport Ashore Program. Each module will contain two-room private sleeping and living areas for up to four people.
The military construction bill also includes $83 million for Armed Forces Reserve Centers at Fairchild Air Force Base ($31 million), Fort Lewis ($24 million), and Vancouver ($28 million), and $28 million for weapons and personnel support buildings at Sub Base Bangor.
Note: The bill also includes funding that Senator Murray secured for a VA nursing home in Tacoma and to increase VA healthcare funding nationwide. Those are detailed in separate releases. See: http://murray.senate.gov/news
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