The Energy and Water Appropriations bill that passed the Senate Thursday includes funding for tribal housing along the Columbia River.  Language in the bill urges the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to use the funding provided in the bill to develop a plan for the construction of a new tribal village at The Dalles Dam.  Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and Washington Senator Patty Murray, along with Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, have been calling for the Corps to address the need for adequate housing and infrastructure at tribal fishing access sites formed during the construction of The Dalles, Bonneville, and John Day dams.  The bill also includes funding for small ports along the Oregon coast, deployment of electric vehicles, language to help address the loss of habitat for the spotted frog in Central Oregon, and an amendment that restores funding for wind energy research and development to the level of current fiscal year instead of an originally proposed 15 million dollar cut.