Energy and Water Appropriations Clear Committee Hurdle, Move to Full Senate for Consideration

Bill Includes Millions for Willamette Valley Region Rivers and Energy Programs.

Cottage Grove Lake photo courtesy: dorenalake.com

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved funding for energy and water projects in the Willamette Valley, including efforts to improve crop irrigation and restoration of the river’s floodplain to better control water flow.

These projects are included in the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which now goes to the full Senate for a vote.

“The scenic waterways of the Willamette Valley will be enhanced by the funding announced today,” said Merkley. “The economy of the Willamette Valley region is closely tied to efficient, modern irrigation systems. Funding for these projects will use innovative practices to improve irrigation, restore floodplain and make necessary updates at Willamette Valley lakes.”

“Making sure that the infrastructure is sound is essential for proper irrigation of Oregon crops,” Wyden said. “This funding will study the science behind managing the watershed and improving irrigation to help improve the agricultural economy of the Willamette Valley area.”

The appropriations for the Willamette Valley region include:

Drift Creek Reservoir Project - $20,000   
The intent of the project is to provide a stable water supply for high value crops grown on 15,000 acres of prime farmland in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Funds will be used to conduct preliminary studies to affirm permit conditions and engineering analyses.

Willamette River Floodplain Restoration - $153,000

Funding will be used for the Willamette Floodplain Restoration Study to provide information for the long-term restoration of floodplain habitat in the Willamette River Basin.  The Study will advance the goals of the broader Sustainable Rivers Project, which is identifying environmental flow requirements for the Willamette and its tributaries, and tying those flow requirements to stream channel and floodplain restoration projects.

Other Oregon projects included in the bill are:

Blue River Lake - $573,000

Cottage Grove Lake - $1,319,000

Cougar Lake - $1,733,000

Detroit Lake - $1,127,000

Dorena Lake - $1,055,000

Fall Creek Lake - $1,149,000

Fern Ridge Lake - $1,800,000

Green Peter – Foster Lakes - $2,139,000

Hills Creek Lake - $863,000

Lookout Point Lake - $2,080,000

Willamette River Bank Protection - $85,000

For a full list of Oregon projects included in the Energy and Water Appropriations bill, click here.

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Source: Senator Jeff Merlkey