Walden: BLM ‘finally’ implementing Bowman Dam hydro bill

Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., announced Thursday the Bureau of Land Management will finally implement the Crooked River Collaborative Water Security and Jobs Act of 2014, a law he wrote that was unanimously approved by Congress “to improve water management and grow jobs in Central Oregon.”

The law moves the boundary line for the Crooked River Wild and Scenic Area from the crest of Bowman Dam to a quarter of a mile downstream, paving the way for energy generation at the dam.

“For many years, I’ve worked hard with community leaders, farmers, fishermen, tribes, and Senator Jeff Merkley to move the wild and scenic boundary line at Bowman Dam,” Walden said in a news release.

“As I’ve long said, there’s nothing wild and scenic about a dam. Making this change paves the way for the development of clean, renewable hydropower at the dam and about 50 construction jobs in Central Oregon,” he added.

“Over 14 months ago, Congress unanimously approved legislation to do just that, but the BLM hasn’t implemented the law until now. Implementing this legislation is good news for Prineville and Central Oregon as a whole, and I’m pleased the agency has finally heard the calls to get this done.”

In January, Walden wrote to BLM Director Neil Kornze to urge him to take immediate action to implement the legislation, more than a year after it was unanimously passed by Congress.

“I am very disappointed that this important provision has not been fully implemented even though my legislation became law on December 18, 2014,” Walden wrote on Jan. 15.

Walden originally introduced the legislation in May 2011. It unanimously passed the House three times before finally passing the Senate and being signed into law in December 2014.

Besides hydropower development at the dam, he said the law provides additional water for the city of Prineville, for both city residents and economic development, while also providing more stability for farmers and ranchers who depend on irrigation water for their livelihood.

And Walden said the plan also improves fish and wildlife habitat, including the McKay Creek restoration project, while ensuring that enough water is maintained at Prineville Reservoir to continue to serve as a summer gathering place for fishermen, boaters and campers.