News Release from: Salem Public Works   

Posted: April 10th, 2008 4:50 PM 

The City of Salem announced today that laboratory results of water samples taken early this week confirm that the water being supplied to twenty-four homes in south Salem is clean and safe to drink. Results also indicate that the odors noted last week were associated with a new water main which is no longer in service.

On Thursday, April 3, 2008, work by a contractor on a water main replacement project in south Salem was stopped when odors were detected at several residences after they were hooked up to the new water main. Samples of the suspect water were taken and sent out for laboratory analysis.

Twenty-four homes had been hooked up to the new water main when the project was stopped. The affected residences were notified of the concern and bottled water was provided to each residence. No other homes were affected.

On Friday, April 4, 2008, in a continuing effort to ensure safe drinking water, the City of Salem reconnected these twenty-four homes to the water main to which they were previously connected. No additional odor conditions have been reported since these reconnections were made.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Joan Moody (DOI)
April 7, 2008
202-208-6416

Preserve America Grants in 25 States Announced – Salem, Oregon Receives Grant

WASHINGTON— Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett, along with Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Chairman John L Nau III, today announced 43 Preserve America grants in 25 states totaling $2.9 million. The application period for round two of 2008 is now open with a deadline of June 30 to apply for grants of $4.3 million to be awarded in September.

The Deputy Secretary made the announcement on behalf of Mrs. Laura Bush, Honorary Chair of Preserve America. Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our nation’s heritage. Scarlett and Nau co-chair the Preserve America initiative.

"Preserve America ensures that historic properties, artifacts, and communities throughout the nation are preserved to be enjoyed by future generations," Mrs. Bush said. "These grants promote cultural and natural preservation, and encourage greater appreciation of our national heritage."

The Preserve America co-chairs also announced today that the maximum size of each grant has been increased from $150,000 to $250,000. In 2006 and 2007, $9.8 million was awarded to 140 projects. In FY 2008, a total of $7.2 million was available. The most recent grants totaling $2.9 million leave a balance of $4.3 million for a second round of grants to be awarded in September.

The Preserve America grant program, which began in 2006, is administered by the Department of the Interior’s National Park Service in partnership with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The competitive matching grants fund Preserve America Communities, State Historic Preservation Offices, and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices to support their preservation efforts through heritage tourism, education and historic preservation planning.