Merkley, Wyden Announce Federal Funding for the Klamath Tribes’ Efforts to Curb Pollution

Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced the Klamath Tribes received $545,000 for programs that improve water and air quality and reduce pollution. The investment is an initial award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address environmental and public health concerns. 

"Tribal families and community members rely on clean air and water for the health, safety, and economic growth of their communities," Merkley said. "It is vital that we support environmental projects so that the Klamath Tribes have the resources needed for their Tribal members to live healthy lives." 

"Tribes throughout Oregon often face serious challenges when it comes to ensuring their community members have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink," Wyden said. "I'm glad the Klamath Tribes have secured this federal investment in better public health, and will keep battling for similar funds that help Tribal and non-Tribal communities alike."

"The Klamath Tribes appreciate the support of Senators Merkley and Wyden in securing an EPA Performance Partnership Grant," said Klamath Tribes Chairman William E. Ray, Jr. "This grant allows the Tribes to increase its capacity to operate the Sprague River Water Quality Lab and monitor water quality conditions in the Sprague River to assess changes resulting from stream and riparian restoration work and other land use changes. The grant funding also allows the Tribes to work with EPA in developing programs to minimize water quality impairments in the Upper Klamath Basin."

Today's initial investment comes from an EPA Performance Partnership Grant, which allows States and Tribes to direct resources where they are needed most or try innovative solutions to address environmental problems. 

In total, the Klamath Tribes were approved to receive $558,049 under the program to continue environmental programs and activities to protect and maintain air, water, land, and data quality. This funding will build off past grants for the Klamath Tribes, while giving greater flexibility to improve environmental performance, achieve administrative savings, and strengthen the partnership between the Tribes and EPA. 

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