12.23.22

Omnibus Bill Includes Funding for 6 Grassroots Projects in Eastern Washington

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that 6 grants for grassroots projects in Eastern Washington she supported are included in the final version of the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, securing nearly $14,000,000 for the region. The bill also includes billions in nationwide investments that are likely to benefit Washingtonians. Yesterday, the Senate passed the Omnibus by a vote of 68-29 and the House passed the Omnibus today by a vote of 225-201. It is now headed to the President’s desk for signature.

Eastern Washington - $13,900,000 total. Projects include:

Bigelow-Sullivan Corridor: Sullivan & Trent Interchange – Spokane County: $2,650,000

Funding for this project will be used to complete the engineering design phase of the overall interchange project, which will reduce congestion and improve safety on a heavily trafficked freight and passenger corridor.

Upper Columbia United Tribes Salmon Reintroduction Project– Spokane County: $5,000,000

This will support an assessment to inform design of downstream fish passage facilities and the feasibility of reintroducing salmon to the upper Columbia River. Salmon have been blocked from historic habitat in the upper Columbia for 110 years due to Chief Joseph, Grand Coulee, and Spokane River dams lacking fish passage facilities.

The full list of all 6 projects included for Eastern Washington is available HERE.

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