Senator Ron Wyden

November 19, 2003

Washington, DC – The U.S. Congress last night approved the Energy and Water appropriations bill, which includes a provision requested by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) authorizing the Federal government to move forward with the installation of new irrigation pumps for the Grants Pass Irrigation District (GPID), to be followed by the removal of the Savage Rapids Dam for water conservation and fish passage improvement.

“This puts us another step closer to providing needed stability for farmers while improving fish habitat in the Rogue River,” Wyden said.

“This project will have the dual effect of protecting both the economy and the environment,” said Smith. “The community has come together to work toward a solution for farmers and fish and this will help see it to fruition.”

According to a U.S. District Court consent decree agreed to by the GPID Board, the water pumps are to be installed to conserve water and to serve GPID’s 8,000 irrigation users. After the pumps have been installed and tested, the diversion dam, which does not generate electricity, will be removed. Farmers, environmentalists and other stakeholders in the GPID service area agreed on the plan to install irrigation pumps on the Rogue River to replace the current irrigation system the dam provides.

“Senator Smith and Senator Wyden deserve lots of credit for bringing this good news and success home to Oregon. Through a long haul, the District has been sitting on pins and needles, and this is a really big win for us. There were many hurdles getting here, but our congressional delegation really listened to us and now because they fought hard for us, the District's doors will stay open to current and future generations of water patrons in our area,” said Dan Shepard, Manager of the Grants Pass Irrigation District. “We really appreciate the hard work of our Senators, and the support of Congressmen Walden and DeFazio, and we look forward to working with them to get our project completed.”

Wyden and Smith have been working to help Grants Pass residents meet the court approved deadline for the installation of pumps, securing $750,000 in funding over FY2002 and 2003 to study and design the pumping system. This Wyden-Smith provision authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to “implement, and enter into financial assistance or other agreements as may be necessary to undertake such activities identified for implementation (including construction) generally in accordance with” the consent decree. It also authorizes the appropriation of “such sums as may be necessary to carry out this provision.” The bill will now go to the President for his signature.

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