Oregon Legislature approves over $600 million for wildfire recovery efforts
Source: KEZI.com
SALEM, Ore.– The Oregon Legislature has approved more than $600 million to support those impacted by the 2020 Labor Day wildfires.
Some of the highlights of the recovery funding package include:
- $150 million- Wildfire recovery housing supply and land acquisition
- $110 million- Water and sewer infrastructure projects in wildfire impacted communities
- $75 million- Food and shelter for survivors
- $23.2 million- Reimbursement for lost tax revenues
- Over $20 million- Infrastructure projects to support recovery efforts
“These communities are hurting badly. We have made great strides this session. But recovery will be a long-term effort. To everyone who spoke to the committee, we’re here with you for the long haul,”said Rep. Brian Clem (D-Salem), the chair of the House Special Committee on Wildfire Recovery.
The legislature also passed a plan to improve prevention included in Senate Bill 762. This includes developing publicly available maps of wildfire risk, creating policies for community-driven restoration of forests and rangelands, establishing electric utility planning requirements and increasing firefighter capacity.
“Leaders statewide told us ‘We’re all in this together,’ and made that real with this package. We’ll get through wildfire seasons ahead only by staying together. This could be the beginning of a new kind of Oregon patriotism, and I’m grateful to be part of it,” said Sen. Jeff Golden (D-Ashland), the chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire Recovery.
Copyright ABC 9, KEZI.com 2021
