Water Supply: 'ACWA' Passes Senate Unanimously

SB 1069 will provide funds to Umatilla & Morrow Counties and Grants to Oregon communities.

Photo of Oregon state capitol by Tim King Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Senate approved a key piece of the Senate Democratic agenda today by voting to pass legislation that addresses water shortages across Oregon, particularly in the Umatilla Basin. In a unanimous vote, the senate passed SB 1069, also known as "ACWA," the Agriculture and Community Water Act.

"The success of this legislation is the result of broad support both in and outside the Capitol," said Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin).

"This legislation was the centerpiece of our commitment this February to continuing our progress towards economic security for all Oregonians."

Senate Bill 1069 provides a comprehensive plan for water shortages in Oregon. The first piece establishes a matching grants program for Oregon communities to fund feasibility studies for water conservation, reuse, and storage projects.

The second piece of the legislation specifically addresses the decade-long crisis in declining ground water in the Umatilla Basin. Senate Bill 1069 will fund a feasibility study for the Sand Hollow project, which would direct water from the Columbia and Umatilla Rivers during winter months into the Umatilla Basin to recharge and inject depleted aquifers.

"We made a statement about the value of farming communities today with the Senate’s unanimous vote to support ACWA," said Senator Brad Avakian (D – NE Washington/NW Multnomah Counties), who chairs the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

"This legislation is the first step to addressing both the most urgent water needs in Oregon and planning for the future water needs of Oregon’s communities."

"ACWA" was the successful result of a broad coalition of groups and bipartisan interests, including the Oregon Farm Bureau, the League of Oregon Cities, the Oregon Wheat Growers League, the Oregon Association of Nurseries, the Umatilla Electric Cooperative, the Special Districts Association of Oregon, the Oregon Water Resources Congress and the Confederate Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, among others.

Senate Bill 1069 now moves to the House for consideration.