Rep. Jenson Chairs council to review water issues

April 17, 2008

REPRESENTATIVE BOB JENSON
OREGON HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, HD58

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 18, 2008
CONTACT: Rep. Bob Jenson, 541-310-9037

REP. JENSON CHAIRS MULTI-STATE COUNCIL TO REVIEW WATER ISSUES

PENDLETON— Rep. Bob Jenson (R-Pendleton) was in Portland this week to chair the Legislative Council on River Governance, a multi-state panel charged with asserting state authority over natural resources and river governance in the Columbia and Snake River Basins. Rep. Jenson led legislators from Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Washington to develop a proactive agenda of legislative action on Pacific Northwest rivers.

“With federal mandates and rules regulating our rivers, Pacific Northwest states deserve a seat at the table in the policy-making process,” Rep. Jenson said. “The Legislative Council on River Governance is taking an active role in reasserting the states’ authority on water rights and natural resource management.”

Among several water issues, Rep. Jenson and the council discussed water conservation, reuse and storage grants. Bob Levy, an Eastern Oregon farmer and member of the Oregon Board of Agriculture, discussed the state water storage efforts under legislation passed during the February special session.

“Oregon and the other Pacific Northwest states are actively working to develop water storage and capacity,” Rep. Jenson said. “While I was really pleased with passage of SB 1069 in the February session which allocated $1.75 M for study and implementation of small projects in Oregon, this commitment is paled by comparison to the investments being made by Washington ($200M) and Idaho ($22M).” The meeting allowed the states to discuss these efforts and share best practices on water issues that are affecting all of us.

Rep. Jenson this week completed his service as chair of the council. The position will now be passed to a legislator from Montana.
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