Rep. Jami Cate: Representatives point out State has a responsibility for dam drawdowns and devastation caused to communities

November 15, 2023 – Representative Jami Cate: Representatives point out State has a responsibility for dam drawdowns and devastation caused to communities

On Wednesday, State Representatives Jami Cate (R-Lebanon) and Charlie Conrad (R-Dexter) led a coalition in sending a letter to Governor Kotek thanking her for advocating the sweeping impact of Willamette Basin dam drawdowns to the federal government, but also reminding her of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife agency responsibility in those drawdowns.

"Our state agencies have a responsibility to the communities they serve and the problems we are seeing today are traced directly to involvement from an Oregon Agency," said Representative Charlie Conrad (R-Dexter). "Oregon has a duty to balance the priorities of the state as well as the protections of community assets like drinking water." 

The letter was signed by multiple Senators, Representatives, Commissioners and Mayors who are tracking the developments with the dam drawdowns as they are egregiously impacting their communities today.

Representative Jami Cate (R-Lebanon) quipped," All the entities involved in this horrible decision should be held accountable, not just pointing fingers at each other.
Downstream communities have been severely affected for years to come and someone needs to step up to foot the bill for the damaged caused by their decisions."
Representative Cate concludes, "At what point do the citizens of Oregon not just get the short end of the stick on agency decisions?" 

Cities and counties in the affected areas are estimating a minimum loss from tourism of 10% a year. Ongoing efforts for treating and fixing the water quality is reaching the $38 million mark with more expected.

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