|
|
 |
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 |
|
|
|
| |
|
Walden pushes Hermiston water project in Congress
|
|
| |
Walden: Project is good for farmers, good for fish
|
|
| |
|
Date -
WASHINGTON, DC - A bill sponsored by Rep. Greg Walden to help Hermiston develop an important wastewater reuse program received a hearing this morning in the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hermiston City Manager Ed Brookshier was in the nation’s capital to testify in support of the bill (H.R. 2741).
“This project is good for farmers and good for fish,” Walden said. “The bill would allow the city of Hermiston to participate in a wastewater reuse program that will help the city comply with federal pollution standards for over the next 20 years, allow the water supply to keep up with the growing population, and return water into the Umatilla River to benefit threatened salmon species.”
The bill is also supported by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
Walden’s full statement is below:
“Chairwoman Napolitano and Ranking Member McClintock, thank you for holding a hearing on HR 2741, legislation I wrote to authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to participate in the building of a new water recycling and reuse facility for the City of Hermiston in northeast Oregon.
“Before I get into the specifics of the bill before us now, I first want to say thank you for allowing me the opportunity to participate in the hearing.
“Second, I would like to welcome Hermiston City Manager Ed Brookshier to the hearing. Ed and his team have done a wonderful job of demonstrating to me the need for this project and why it is a worthwhile federal project. He has made the long trip out from the west coast to testify on the bill today. Madam Chairwoman and Congressman McClintock, as I do, I know you understand the effort well.
“The construction of the Hermiston Recycled Water Plant Improvement project, as it is commonly known, will enable the city to reliably meet numerous key goals including complying with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit levels for the next 20-plus years. The existing facilities were constructed in 1979, and after 30 years, are in need of modernization that will help meet new pollution reduction requirements, add capacity and help put water in stream for salmon.
“This project will increase waste water treatment capacity to match the population and economic growth for a community that “refuses to be in recession” - a statement made by the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce executive director, Debbie Pedro, to me and others during a community meeting in Hermiston awhile back.
“The project has been designed to produce the highest quality, class A, recycled water that will add additional protections for the Umatilla River’s threatened salmon species. This was one of the key reasons that the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is supporting this legislation and project. I thank them for their support.
“The final component of the project will be the drought-resistant water delivery of recycled water to the West Extension Irrigation District. These deliveries will help the irrigation district serve their diverse agriculture community. This water will supplement current allocations, but as we all know, a little extra water in a dry climate can make or break our farmers.
“The proposed project must comply with numerous environmental laws and regulations, and the city has completed the required supporting documentation. This included preparation of an environmental assessment for potential impacts from the proposed project, such as a cultural resources survey, wetland delineation, and an Endangered Species Act biological assessment. The federal cost share in this bill—25 percent federal and 75 percent local—will be of enormous assistance as the project moves from drawing board to construction.
“However, the federal cost share only exists if this bill becomes law. I ask that this subcommittee make a “do pass” recommendation to the full committee, and the full committee to take action soon so the House has an opportunity to pass the bill.
“You can see that this legislation is of great importance to the City of Hermiston and surrounding areas. I thank you for holding this hearing today and please contact me if you have any questions.”
Representative Greg Walden represents Oregon’s Second Congressional District, which is comprised of 20 counties in eastern, southern, and central Oregon. He is a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
.
###
|
|
|
 |
Home | Privacy Policy | Site Tools | Contact Me
This Home Page is maintained by the office of Congressman Greg Walden.
Please click on the "Contact Me" link above or the "Email Greg" link to the left to submit comments. |
|
