Deep Dam Drawdowns Called a Grave Mistake by Representatives

December 8, 2023 – Representative Jami Cate: Deep Dam Drawdowns Called a Grave Mistake by Representatives

On Friday, State Representatives Jami Cate (R-Lebanon) and Charlie Conrad (R-Dexter) joined a coalition in a letter to U.S. Chief District Judge of Oregon Marco Hernandez. In this letter, they called on him to modify a court order to drawdown dams, an action that has wreaked environmental and economic havoc on the very water systems and communities the order supposedly was meant to protect. “Our communities deserve more input in dam management decisions because they are directly impacted. We shouldn’t have to ask for this,” said Representative Conrad. “We need to encourage more collaboration between affected communities and relevant agencies, not less.” In 2021, Judge Hernandez signed an order directing these drawdowns in the name of protecting fish. However, those living in these areas are now experiencing the negative environmental impacts of that decision which includes reports of dead fish, muddy waterways, dried-up wells, and tainted water. Representative Cate added, “Citizens in my district are being hung out to thy thanks to bureaucrats far removed from the consequences of their unilateral decisions. It is not an effective nor respectable strategy to make important decisions without considering their real-world impacts on Oregonians.” Cities and counties are facing the burden to the tune of millions of dollars treating water sources and shoring up local businesses that have been unnaturally upended by the drawdowns. All parties who signed onto the letter are calling for a more democratic approach to managing the basin’s water systems. “Our communities deserve a seat at the table when it comes to our dams. Let’s recommit to the Oregon Way and work together to find a solution that best serves all of Oregon,” they concluded.

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