On Wednesday, March 5th Governor Ted Kulongoski signed the Agriculture and Community Water Act of 2008 (SB 1069), which establishes a statewide grant program to study water storage, reuse and conservation. The grants will help Oregon develop water storage projects.

Mayors and League Executive Director Mike McCauley were in attendance for the bill signing.  McCauley stated that "the ability of the tribes, cities, agricultural community and environmental interests to come together around a statewide solution is an important break through." 

Senate Bill 1069 directs $1.75 million in feasibility study grants for communities across the state – making it the first statewide effort to solve critical water shortages threatening so many communities.  It also provides $750,000 for a project called the Umatilla Basin Aquifer Recovery project.    

Governor Kulongoski emphasized that, “While I applaud the work we’ve accomplished so far, I want to emphasize that this is only a first step. The next steps will be determined by the study and will require that we continue to work together across diverse interests, just as we did to make this first step a reality.”

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At 9:39 p.m. on Friday, February 22nd, the Legislature adjourned Sine Die- bringing the 2008 supplemental session to a close.  Notable priority city issues included the passage of:

• SB 1069, $2.5 million for water supply needs
• $426,000 funding for the Big Look committee
• $1,000,000 for local disaster relief matching funds 
• $76 million in certificates of participation (COP) authorization for the Oregon Wireless Interoperability Network