Oregon Watchdog: Walden water conservation, dam bill headed to Pres.

U. S. Congressman Greg Walden
Oregon 2nd District
Press Release: April 29, 2008

Walden water conservation acts, dam safety bill headed to President
Legislation contains identical provisions that already passed House in July 2007
and affects Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson, Wallowa, Jackson counties

- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House of Representatives today passed legislation that includes Congressman Walden’s Oregon Water Resources Management Act (H.R. 495), which passed the House without objection in July 2007. H.R. 495 addresses four separate water conservation and dam safety projects in southern, eastern, and central Oregon. Similar legislation passed the House in 2006, making this the third time it has passed in three years.
The Consolidated Natural resources Act of 2008 (S. 2739), which contains H.R. 495 and passed the House today, was approved in the Senate on April 10 and now heads to the President for his signature.

“This literally is a watershed event for our state. All across southern, central and eastern Oregon projects are now authorized to move forward that will ensure farmers and ranchers continue to have adequate irrigation supplies while we continue our work to improve instream flows for fish and creekside habitat. Taken together these measures solve a lot of problems we’ve been working on for years,” Walden said.

Provisions in the Oregon Water Resources Management Act

DESCHUTES, CROOK, JEFFERSON COUNTIES:

The Deschutes River Conservancy Reauthorization Act

The Deschutes River Conservancy (DRC) Reauthorization Act reauthorizes the DRC and allows for $2 million in annual federal assistance through 2015. Its authorization expired in 2006; without it, the DRC is not eligible for federal investments. The DRC was originally authorized by Congress in 1996 to implement water conservation measures in the Deschutes River Basin. The DRC has brought together landowners, environmentalists, tribes and local governments to find common ground and achieve successes through efforts such as riparian area fencing, the planting of trees, reconstructing stream beds and enhancing stream flows in the Deschutes River Basin. Congressman Walden has worked closely with the DRC since he was first elected and has toured many of their projects over the last eight years. The legislation would also ensure that the agriculture community continues to have a place at the table by devoting two seats on the DRC Board to represent farmers actively irrigating more than 100 acres of land.

JEFFERSON COUNTY

The North Unit Irrigation District Act

The North Unit Irrigation District (NUID) provides farmers and ranchers in a 50,000 acre area in Jefferson County with irrigation water from the Deschutes River. The legislation allows farmers and ranchers on 9,000 acres in the district to receive water conserved on the Deschutes River, reducing diversions from the Crooked River. The proposed changes would strictly adhere to existing Oregon law and directly benefit 900 farmers and ranchers in Deschutes County who grow alfalfa hay, grass seed, garlic seed and carrot seed as well as raise cattle, sheep, horses and other livestock. Congressman Walden has met several times with NUID management to discuss the positive conservation and water delivery aspects of this legislation.

WALLOWA COUNTY

The Wallowa Lake Dam Rehabilitation Act

The Wallowa Lake Dam Rehabilitation Act would authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to provide grants or enter into cooperative agreements — with tribes, the state, local governments and the Associated Ditch Companies — to plan, design and repair Wallowa Lake Dam and preserve the valuable water recreation site behind the dam. The bill would authorize $6 million in federal assistance and require an even cost share match between federal and local dollars. Rehabilitation of the Wallowa Lake Dam, which has been identified as a high-hazard structure by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is very important to both the safety and economy of the local community, and this legislation would help advance local efforts to see such work completed. Congressman Walden has worked with county commissioners and the Associated Ditch Companies and held a number of meetings on the legislation leading up to its final draft.

JACKSON COUNTY

The Little Butte/Bear Creek Subbasins Water Feasibility Act

The Little Butte/Bear Creek Subbasins Water Feasibility Act would authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to conduct a much-needed water management feasibility study at the Little Butte and Bear Creak watersheds as outlined in the agency’s agreement with Medford for the Water for Irrigation, Streams and the Economy (WISE) project. This legislation would help foster collaborative efforts between federal, state and local governments all working together on the WISE project to benefit cities, irrigators, fish and the environment throughout the Rogue Valley. Congressman Walden helped pass this legislation twice previously in the House.

Congressman Walden represents the people of Oregon’s Second District, which is comprised of 20 counties in eastern, southern, and central Oregon. He is a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.
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