EDITOR’S NOTE: The Tillamook Estuaries Partnership informed supporters that the Federal funding freeze was happening here. “Last week, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) ordered a 90-day pause on federal funding. Fortunately for TEP, that order was rescinded. However, Executive Order, Unleashing American Energy, terminates the “Green New Deal” and halts funding for related projects through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law/Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (BIL/IIJA).
TEP and the entire National Estuary Program receive BIL/IIJA funding through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement water quality improvements, habitat restoration projects, and our native plant nursery. In Tillamook County, our BIL-funded projects also mitigate flooding and support our fishing, shellfish, and aquaculture industries. These projects have nothing to do with energy production, minerals, electric vehicles, or electric appliances and consumer goods that are the focus of the Executive Order.
The Acting Administrator of the EPA suspended our BIL account last week, without taking into consideration how our funds are ear-marked. Now, TEP cannot access the $1.15M in funds that have been contractually approved and obligated by EPA for salaries and projects and the $1.6M that were allocated to be received this year and next. A separate judge issued a separate restraining order on Monday for agencies, including the EPA, to halt the ongoing freeze. Yet, TEP’s BIL/IIJA funds are still suspended
100% of these funds are spent for the benefit of Tillamook County’s estuaries, watersheds, and community. This suspension puts our local people, our wildlife, and our way of life at unnecessary risk.”
Through lobbying efforts, see below, today February 5th, TEP had access to those funds, for now, but there are more concerns going forward.
Thank you to everyone who sent us encouraging messages, contacted your representatives, or donated. We have good news to share that our existing BIL (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law/Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act BIL/IIJA) funding has been unfrozen! We are grateful to Senators Merkley and Wyden, Congresswomen Bonamici, their field representatives and staff, and the other Members of Congress who helped to remove the barriers to TEP’s funding.
This is great news for our current work, but our BIL grant agreements for this year and next are still pending. That’s $1.8M for our community. We still need your voice. Here’s what you can do:
- Please reach out to your Members of Congress. It’s critical that they hear from their constituents, YOU, about the real-world positive difference federal funds are making to ensure clean water, flood protection, and resilience for your community. Ask them to do everything possible to ensure that the EPA distributes all the BIL/IIJA funds that have been authorized for TEP and the entire National Estuaries Program. Use this sample message, or craft your own:“Dear [name of Representative/Senator], I urge you to act quickly to ensure that critical financial assistance and grants from federal agencies continue to be available to make a positive difference in our community. Congress approved these funds to support the public health and economic prosperity of Americans across this country. [1-2 sentences about how this has a local impact on you and what you are concerned about in your community.] I ask that you urge the Administration to make all federal funding, especially EPA’s BIL funding of the National Estuaries Program, available for the good of our communities.”
- Check in with your community. While this message has been specific to Tillamook Estuaries Partnership, other non-profit organizations within Tillamook County are in similar circumstances. We must face challenges by caring for each other, sharing where we have the resources and skills, and asking for help where we need it most.
- Please share what you’re hearing and we will continue to do this same. We pride ourselves on being a fact-based environmental stewardship organization. We pledge to remain champions for Tillamook County, remain a resource for you, and remain your friends and neighbors.
- Support local non-profits, like TEP, as you are able. Donate, volunteer, connect, and stay in touch for mutual support.
Thank you again for your care and support of Tillamook Estuaries Partnership, and thanks for supporting all the good community work happening at the grassroots level here in Tillamook County. We will keep updating you as we find out more.
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