06.28.01

Senator Maria Cantwell Secures Funding in the Senate Interior Appropriations Bill for the Fort Vancouver National Historic Reserve

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash) today announced that $2.4 million in the National Park Service funding has been earmarked in the fiscal year 2002 Senate Interior Appropriations bill for the Fort Vancouver National Historic Reserve.

"The Reserve is one of the most important historic preservation sites in the Northwest," Cantwell said. "The 16 buildings that comprise the west barracks are in serious disrepair. These funds will be used to begin preserving the historic buildings before they are transferred to the City of Vancouver.

"Having $2.4 million included in the Senate Interior Appropriations bill is a great step toward achieving our funding goal for the Fort Vancouver National Historic Reserve. I will work to ensure that we realize our goal of securing money in the final appropriations bill," Cantwell concluded.

The Interior Appropriations bill will be voted on by the Senate shortly after the July 4 recess.

The Fort Vancouver National Historic Reserve has been the location for the Hudson's Bay Company trading post established in 1825, the Vancouver Barracks (an active military installation since 1849), Officers' Row National Register Historic District, and Pearson Airpark (one of the oldest operating airports in the country). Its location adjacent to the Columbia River is also on the route of the Lewis and Clark expedition.