An Oregon water bill aimed aimed at developing water infrastructure in the Umatilla Basin has made its way through the Joint Ways and Means Budget Committee.
Senate Bill 839 establishes a Water Supply Development account to make loans and grants available for water conservation, reuse and storage projects. The bill would also establish two task forces to review and make recommendations on the structure of the loan and grants, the needs of watersheds for seasonally varying flows and financial feasibility of new water storage projects.
“These bills represent good public policy and provide tremendous benefits to our constituents,” said Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner). Rep. Bob Jenson (R-Pendleton) also supported the bill.
“The current water crisis in areas of Oregon demonstrates the need for timely solutions involving the utilization of this important resource,” said Jenson.
Debbie Pedro, executive director of the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce, said the bill would help produce more jobs for Eastern Oregon’s economy.
“Senate Bill 839 will provide a tool in growing the water-dependent, agricultural-based industries in our area,” she said.
Steve Eldrige, general manager and CEO of Umatilla Electric Cooperative, said the bill “provides another opportunity for new water storage projects necessary to support economic stability and continued growth of the Columbia River Basin.”
In addition to SB 839, Smith is working on SB 5533, which would allocate $10 million to the Water Supply Development account Created in SB 839.
From here, SB 839 heads to the Senate and House for a vote.
