Comment period has passed- Do not comment

The initial work to remove Savage Rapids Dam is about to begin!

Please thank key Oregon Congressmen and the Governor for moving the project forward and urge their continued efforts to ensure the project is completed.

We have very exciting progress to report on the Savage Rapids Dam removal project!

Congress, in the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill,has allocated $13,000,000 toward the project and the federal government has now awarded a contract to construct pumps to replace the dam and to remove the dam. 

With the 2007 funding in place, the contractor can now begin work on the project. The schedule provides for pump installation in 2007 and 2008 and dam removal in 2009. Additional Congressional appropriations will be necessary for the Bureau of Reclamation’s fiscal year 2008 and 2009 budgets to complete dam removal.

As many of you know, WaterWatch has worked for many years in many venues to remove the dam. This project began as a challenge to excessive water diversions at the dam. In addition to the fisheries and economic benefits of dam removal, WaterWatch successfully eliminated illegal water diversions at the dam and negotiated to transfer 800 cubic feet per second of water rights associated with the dam to instream water rights to protect streamflows in the Rogue River in perpetuity. This water right transfer will take place when the dam is removed.

Securing $13 million to install pumps and start dam removal was only possible because of the bi-partisan support of Senator Wyden, Senator Smith, Congressman Walden, Congressman DeFazio and Governor Kulongoski. They have all worked extremely hard to ensure adequate and timely funding for this project.

This progress was also made possible by years of grassroots support for the project. Your letters, phone calls and support made the difference. Thank you for your continued vision, effort and support on this landmark project!

Please take a few minutes and contact the people listed below to thank them and urge their continued support. Specifically:

1.  Thank them for their efforts and let them know how much you appreciate their support for this project. Let them know how happy you are with the federal appropriation for the project and that construction on this project is now about to begin.

2.  Let them know how important the Rogue River is to you and how important this project is for the Rogue River and its internationally known salmon and steelhead fishery.  Dam removal is estimated to allow unimpeded access to 500 miles of spawning and rearing habitat for salmon and steelhead, increase the runs of salmon and steelhead on the Rogue River by 22% (approximately 114,000 fish) and open up recreational boating opportunities between the communities of Grants Pass and Rogue River.

3.  Let them know how important this project is to the Grants Pass Irrigation District and the local community.  The new pumps will secure the irrigation district’s future, allowing the district to upgrade its aging infrastructure and comply with its legal responsibilities associated with its diversion, while helping the river. The local economy will also benefit. It is estimated removing the dam will inject $5,000,000 per year into the local economy, primarily through the increased fishing and recreational opportunities created by removing the dam.

4.  Finally (and importantly!) urge them to continue to support this win-win project and to secure the remaining funding that will be needed the next few years to complete this important project by the end of 2009.

LEGISLATOR & GOVERNOR CONTACT INFORMATION

Not sure who your legislators are?  If you have web access, just go to this site to find out:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/findset.htm

Once you know your legislators’ names, you can always call the CAPTIOL SWITCHBOARD at (202) 224-3121 and ask for their office by name, or use the contact information below.

Senator Ron Wyden
Portland: (503) 326-7525
Salem: (503) 589-4555
Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122
Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541)-962-7691
DC: (202) 224-5244
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-0001
WebSite: http://wyden.senate.gov
E-Mail form: http://wyden.senate.gov/contact/

Senator Gordon Smith
Portland: (503) 326-3386
Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102
Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
DC: (202) 224-3753
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-0001
WebSite: http://gsmith.senate.gov/
E-Mail form: http://gsmith.senate.gov/webform.htm

Governor Ted Kulongoski
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street
Salem, Oregon 97301-4047]
Governors Citizens’ Representative Message Line: 503.378.4582
FAX: 503.378.6827
Website: http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/index.shtml
E-Mail can be sent through the website.

Representative Greg Walden (District 2)
Medford: (800) 533-3303
Bend: (541) 389-4408
DC: (202) 225-6730
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
WebSite: http://www.walden.house.gov/
E-Mail : greg.walden@mail.house.gov

Representative Peter DeFazio (District 5)
Coos Bay: 541-269-2609
Roseburg: 541-440-3523
Eugene: (541) 465-6732
DC: (202) 225-6416
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Website: http://www.house.gov/defazio/index.htm
E-Mail form: http://defazio.house.gov/emailme.shtml