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Senate adopts $340 billion budget blueprint for Trump's agenda after marathon vote; MI keeps EV charging plans on track despite federal cuts; Shore power bill would improve WA air quality, cut emissions; Report: Methane mitigation industry grows in LA, nationwide.

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Trump wants to eliminate local governance in Washington, D.C., election denier Kash Patel is confirmed as FBI director, and federal cuts to the World Trade Center Health Program hurt ailing first responders.

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The Taos County Sheriff says he won't conduct raids or round ups of immigrants, New Hampshire worries a dearth of charging stations will force tourists driving EVs to pick another vacation destination, and Southern states improve education with workarounds.

Bipartisan Call for Wildlife Crossings in OR from Infrastructure Funding

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Wednesday, March 30, 2022   

Oregon state lawmakers have crossed the political divide, coming together to ask for funding of wildlife crossings from Congress's infrastructure law.

In the 2022 session, the Oregon Legislature approved $7 million for structures to improve wildlife's ability to make it across roads.

Rep. Ken Helm, D-Beaverton, sent a letter to the Oregon Transportation Commission, requesting an additional $10 million from the bipartisan infrastructure package passed by Congress last year. The letter received signatures from half the state's representatives and senators.

"It's not a very partisan issue," Helm pointed out. "It's a problem that needs fixing, and the results are good for people, and they're good for animals."

Oregon is far behind other states in terms of wildlife crossings. The state only has five, compared to states like Colorado, with 69, and California and Utah, with 50 each. Helm said Oregon is similar to those states, with wildlife moving in large herds across the landscape, and the crossings have proved to be successful elsewhere.

Rep. David Brock Smith, R-Port Orford, was part of a work group Helm formed last year to identify projects across Oregon ready for funding. He signed the letter requesting federal money for crossings, saying the issue transcends the political as well as the urban-rural divide in the state.

"I look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Helm and our stakeholders so that we can implement the piece of legislation and get some wildlife crossings," Smith stated. "And catch Oregon up with the rest of the Western states that have already made these investments."

Smith added with people driving less due to increased fuel prices, securing funding wherever possible is important for the projects. Wildlife crossings have proved to reduce collisions by at least 80%.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts.


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