In a recent press release, Oregon U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced a total of $34,013,174 that will be allocated to three Indigenous Tribes in the state.
Both Wyden and Merkley fought for funding for improvements to tribal water – something included in the Infrastructure and Investments Jobs Act (IIJA) that Wyden authored. Merkely serves as Chairman of the Senate Appropriation Subcommittee that funds these projects.
“Water is a human right, and Tribal communities in Oregon have suffered far too long from unsafe and undependable access to that essential right,” said Wyden. “Today’s news takes a good step to repair these long-time injustices, and I’ll keep working until all Tribes in Oregon and nationwide can drink their water with full confidence in its quality.”
These federal grants will fund projects designed to improve crucial services such as water wells, onsite wastewater disposal systems, as well as access to both community water supplies and wastewater disposal systems. It’s expected that, alongside improving the water infrastructure for the Tribal communities, these improvements will reduce hospital visits related to respiratory, skin and soft tissue, and gastroenteric diseases. It’s also estimated that every $1 spent on water will save $1.23 in direct healthcare costs.
“Turning on the tap and accessing safe and clean water shouldn’t depend on your income or your zip code,” said Merkley. “This important funding will help the United States meet its treaty and trust obligations and provide support to ensure individuals and families have access to clean water and wastewater disposal at their homes and reduce illnesses related to poor water quality and sanitation.”
The total funding will be distributed as follows:
- Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs: $25,825,685
- Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation: $5,007,500
- Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians: $3,114,989
- Western Oregon District Office: $65,000
Indian Health Service funding allocation decisions coincide with recommendations from Tribal leaders around the country to “prioritize funding for projects that have completed the planning phase and can begin the design and construction phase immediately, and to provide sufficient funding for planning and design activities to get projects ready to fund.”
By: Ethan Hauck
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