Salinas, Bonamici, Merkley, Wyden Secure over $500,000 for Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District

Tualatin, OR - Today, Congresswomen Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), alongside Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, announced they secured the release of over $530,000 in federal funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to support Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District (TSWCD).

In 2022, TSWCD applied to the NRCS for funding to improve fish habitat in Washington County. This work included replacing deteriorated culverts with bridges and modern culverts that help threatened species like steelhead trout move through local waterways. In February 2024, NRCS approved and obligated $1,074,887 to reimburse TSWCD for their work.

As of early September 2026, NRCS had only paid $543,837 of the over $1.07 million they had promised to TSWCD. This $531,000 shortfall has severely challenged TSWCD's budget and would have stuck the taxpayers of Washington County with the bill. Following outreach from the Oregon delegation, NRSC honored its commitment and released the final sum to TSWCD.

"When Oregonians make a promise, we keep it. The federal government should be held to the same standard," said Rep. Salinas. "Tualatin Soil and Water did the work to improve our waterways, and Washington County taxpayers should never have been left holding the bag. I'm glad we got this money out the door and where it belongs."

"Supporting threatened species and their habitats reflects Oregon values and our commitment to environmental protection, and I was grateful when the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District secured federal funds to improve fish habitat in Washington County," said Rep. Bonamici. "Unfortunately, the Trump administration paid only about half of the promised funding, leaving Washington County taxpayers to pick up the balance. I'm glad that my colleagues and I were able to help resolve this issue and secure all the funds the water conservation district needed for the project."

"Thanks to our efforts, this funding is finally moving forward and will help ensure the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District can continue its work to improve waterways in Washington County," said Sen. Merkley. "Oregon's native fish are the lifeblood of our state, supporting the health and vitality of our communities, local economies, and Tribes who have been here since time immemorial. I'll keep pushing to secure the necessary federal funds to protect our state's ecosystems for generations to come."

"I'm glad the full-court press by the delegation unlocked these resources promised by the federal government to the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District," Wyden said. "These funds will keep waterways improvements on track, helping with water quality and fish habitat alike in Washington County."

"The Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District much appreciates Congresswoman Salinas and her staff for their work in helping the District receive payment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a successful fish habitat project in the Gales Creek watershed of Washington County," said Dean P. Moberg, Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District Treasurer. "We were impressed with the staff's quick understanding of the payment problem we faced, and we are grateful for the Congresswoman's exceptional response. The letter Congresswoman Salinas provided, along with Congresswoman Bonamici and Senators Merkley and Wyden, was surely instrumental in cutting through red tape and securing the payment of over one half million dollars in federal assistance that had been held up for this project. This payment will greatly facilitate the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District's work in helping residents of Washington County conserve natural resources with voluntary and locally led projects.