Murray Announces that Howard Hanson Fix Passes Full Senate

(Washington, D.C.) –
Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate
Appropriations Committee, announced that the $44
million she secured in emergency funding for critical repairs to the Howard
Hanson Dam has passed the full Senate. The funding, which will go to the Army
Corps of Engineers, was included in  the Fiscal Year 2010 Emergency
Supplemental Appropriations bill that passed 67-28.

“Today’s passage is
another step forward toward safeguarding homes, businesses, and the economy of
the Green River Valley,” said Senator
Murray.  “This is an investment in keeping one of the most
economically vital regions in our state protected, and in providing the
families that live there with peace of mind.

“The entire Green River
Valley has told me with one voice that this is their top priority. With the
rainy season getting closer, time is not on our side. People’s homes, jobs, and
livelihoods are at stake. Waiting for funding continues to put the region at
risk. I have made absolutely clear to my colleagues that this is a serious
concern and I’m very glad that the funding I secured passed the full Senate
today.”

Since Howard Hanson Dam
sustained damages during storms in January of 2009 that weakened its structure,
Senator Murray has spearheaded Congressional efforts to provide support for
protective measures In March 2010, the Army Corps of Engineers identified a set
of interim repairs costing $44 million that would further increase protection
against a major flood event. However, the Corps also indicated that in order to
move forward with those repairs it would have to have funding in hand. 
This meant that funding would have to be found in the current Fiscal Year
budget.

The funding Murray
secured has been a focal point of intense lobbying efforts by state and
local officials as well as local business leaders and homeowners. Senator
Murray recently invited a delegation from Washington state to Washington D.C.
that included Governor Gregoire, King County officials, and four Green River
Valley Mayors to meet with Corps and FEMA officials to discuss the potential
impacts of a flood. Murray hosted the
meeting to ensure that federal officials understood the grave threat that a
weakened Howard Hanson Dam presents to families, businesses, and the region’s
economy.