[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 134 (Tuesday, October 24, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S10921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE SAVAGE RAPIDS DAM ACT OF 2000

  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I am pleased to be the original cosponsor 
of the Savage Rapids Dam Act of 2000, introduced by my friend and 
colleague from Oregon, Senator Gordon Smith.
  This legislation is another good example of the Oregon way: bringing 
together varied interests to get win-win results for all stakeholders. 
Born out of controversy concerning the detrimental effects of the 
Savage Rapids Dam on fish passage and survival, this legislation is now 
supported by the Grants Pass Irrigation District, Waterwatch, Oregon's 
Governor Kitzhaber, Trout Unlimited, and various Oregon river guide and 
sport fishing concerns.
  The winners under this legislation are Oregon's environmental and 
agricultural interests. The legislation begins the important process of 
restoring salmon habitat on the Rogue River, while retaining access to 
necessary irrigation water from the Rogue River for the Grants Pass 
Irrigation District. The legislation authorizes the acquisition by the 
Secretary of Interior of the Savage Rapids Dam for the purpose of 
removing the Dam to promote the recovery of coastal salmon. But prior 
to that acquisition, the legislation directs the Secretary of Interior, 
through the Bureau of Reclamation, to design and install modern 
electric irrigation pumps for the Grants Pass Irrigation District so 
they may continue to access Rogue River water for crop irrigation, as 
they have done since 1921.
  This legislation is good for irrigators: by maintaining water 
accessibility, it will help sustain local agricultural businesses. It 
is good for fish because it takes important steps toward habitat 
restoration by authorizing Dam removal as well as the monitoring, 
mitigation, and restoration activities necessary to restore the fish 
population in on the Rogue River.
  I look forward to continuing to improve the legislation with my 
colleagues in the Senate and the stakeholders at home. As I work over 
the recess and on into the next Congress on this issue, I know, 
eventually, we will have another win for the Oregon way.

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