Late last year Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith introduced legislation to provide federal funding to remove Savage Rapids Dam from the Rogue River and replace it with pumps. The bill also provided funds for riparian and fishery enhancements, recreational enhancements, and power assistance to the Grants Pass Irrigation District (GPID). The GPID built Savage Rapids Dam in 1921 solely to divert water from the Rogue River into the irrigation canals of GPID. Savage Rapids Dam does not serve any storage, flood control, or hydropower purpose. The dam's pump-turbine system and pipelines from the dam to the canals are 80 years old. There have been multiple breakdowns of the system over the last three years that have interrupted service and cost GPID thousands of dollars in repair costs. Unfortunately, there wasn't time to move the funding bill forward last year to remove Savage Rapids Dam. Legislation needs to be introduced again, moved forward, and passed.
Please take a few moments to write, fax, phone, or e-mail Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith. Thank them for their past leadership on Savage Rapids Dam, and urge them to introduce legislation and move it forward as quickly as possible this year. Let them know you care about the Rogue River and its salmon and steelhead fishery. We will also need Congressman Greg Walden's support, so that a companion bill can be introduced on the House side.
To email Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith, visit www.americanrivers.org/takeaction and click on "Act to Restore the Rogue River!"
For additional information contact WaterWatch: Bob Hunter at (541) 772-6116 or Jeff Payson (541) 482-6601.
CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS:
Senator Gordon Smith 404 Russell Senate Office Building Washington D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-3753 Fax: (202) 228-3997 e-mail: Oregon@gsmith.senate.gov Senator Ron Wyden 516 Hart Senate Office Building Washington D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-5244 Fax: (202) 228-2717 e-mail: via his web page Congressman Greg Walden 1404 Longworth House Office Building Washington D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-6730 Fax: (202) 225-5774 e-mail: greg.walden@mail.house.gov Governor Kitzhaber State Capitol Building 900 Court Street NE Salem, OR 97301-4047 Phone: (503) 378-4582