For immediate release
Congressional delegation secures $300,000 for water supply project
and title transfer process
Hillsboro, OR — March 13, 2009—
Senator Ron Wyden, Senator Jeff Merkley and Congressman David Wu were successful in securing $300,000 in the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act signed by President Obama this week to support the Tualatin Basin Water Supply Project and Tualatin Project Title Transfer. Funding was provided to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to help fund these water supply studies.
Senators Wyden and Merkley together with Congressman Wu have been working hard to secure the federal funding necessary to meet the growing water needs of the region.
"This funding reflects the delegation's continuing support for providing a safe, secure, and reliable long-term water supply for our region," said Washington County Commission and Clean Water Services' Board Chair Tom Brian. "This project that will diversify the Oregon's water supply; help ensure we are able to respond to anticipated climate change; and meet the 50-year water supply needs of fish, farms and economic development."
Since 2005, the delegation has secured more than $1.725 million to support the project including $194,000 in this year's budget to fund the federal portion of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Tualatin Basin Water Supply Project. Total cost of the EIS is $6.35 million, of which local Water Supply Partners are funding $3.5 million, or 55 percent.
This year, the Congressional delegation also secured $106,000 to fund the balance of the federal share of Tualatin Project Title Transfer and Facilities Assessment. The delegation previously secured $394,000 in the FY 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations Act. Local water resource management agencies have been working closely with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to study the feasibility of transferring Hagg Lake, Scoggins Dam and associated lands from federal to local ownership. Local ownership could offer significant time and cost savings for future improvements.
The Tualatin Basin Water Supply Project shows that demand for water in Washington County is expected to double by the year 2050. In addition to needing water for homes, businesses and agriculture, water is needed to restore flows to the Tualatin River and its tributaries to improve water quality and protect stream health.
"Our congressional delegation has done a great job securing funding for these critical efforts," said Chair Brian. "We will continue to work with the delegation and Reclamation officials to secure the balance of the funding necessary to complete the environmental impact statement."
The Water Supply Partners include Clean Water Services, the Tualatin Valley Water District, the Cities of Beaverton and Hillsboro, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The local Partners have invested more than $5.4 million in studying the needs and options for meeting future water demands. These partners plus Tualatin Valley Irrigation District, Washington County, the City of Forest Grove and Lake Oswego Corporation are also exploring Title Transfer. The Partnership is working to deliver new water for the Tualatin Basin by 2016 to sustain the region’s watershed, economy and community.
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