The Dalles, OR. — The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed H.R. 655, the City of The Dalles Watershed Development Act, sponsored by Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-OR2), advancing the legislation to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
If enacted, the bill would transfer ownership of approximately 150 acres of U.S. Forest Service land within The Dalles’ municipal watershed to the City of The Dalles. City officials say the transfer would allow for expanded reservoir capacity and improved long-term management of the community’s primary water source.
The City of The Dalles relies on its municipal watershed for roughly 80 percent of its annual water supply. Local leaders have said expanding and securing the watershed is critical to meeting future demand as the city grows.
“This transfer will help the City of The Dalles expand its potable water resources,” Bentz said in a statement. He described a reliable and secure water supply as one of his highest priorities and said the legislation would allow the city to better manage its watershed, expand its reservoir, and support long-term growth if approved by the Senate and signed by the President.
Mayor Richard Mays said consolidating land ownership around the Crow Creek Dam and Reservoir would strengthen the city’s ability to protect water quality and manage its water system. He noted that the watershed supplies the vast majority of drinking water for the city’s approximately 16,000 residents and called the transfer a significant step toward ensuring future reliability.
Wasco County Commissioner Scott Hege also welcomed the House passage of the bill, saying the legislation would give The Dalles the property needed to address future water development needs and ensure the city can collect surface water to support long-term community needs.
H.R. 655 now moves to the U.S. Senate, where it must be approved before being sent to the President for consideration.
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