MRGA Conservation Update

MRGA Comments on USACE 30-Year Plan

On February 17, MRGA submitted its comments to the Army Corps of Engineers

(USACE) on the Corp’s proposed Willamette Valley System 30-Year Plan. The Plan

is referred to by USACE as the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact

Statement (DPEIS) for the Willamette Valley System (WVS) Operations and

Maintenance. The WVS refers to the 13 dams and extensive bank protection

revetments along the Willamette River and its tributaries authorized by the Flood

Control Act of 1938. The DPEIS-WVS presented 7 project alternative strategies

and associated objectives including a preferred alternative (#5) which calls for

among many other things, eventual drawdown of Cougar Reservoir to the

diversion tunnel at 1,330’. This level would be 120’ lower than the 1,450-level

established by the USACE as the minimum pool level to prevent high turbidity

levels and high rates of sediment transport downstream as occurred in 2002-2004

during construction of the Cougar Dam Water Temperature Control Tower.

Summary of MRGA comments:

“1. We recommend that USACE work with U.S. District Judge Hernandez to

develop the “suite” (measures common to all alternatives) into a complete

Alternative to be considered in a supplemental DPEIS to DPEIS-0540.

2. At a minimum, USACE and ODEQ should meet immediately on the matter of

deep drawdowns to the diversion tunnel (DT) to clarify likely compliance or non-

compliance with the Turbidity Rule and implications for CWA 404 permitting.

3. We believe USACE should fully exhaust every feasible option for using the

regulating outlet (RO) at 1,505’ (1,517’? page 2-29) for successful fish passage. If

successful passage using RO appears reasonable and uncertainties about

drawdown to the DT remain, then Alternative 3A should receive much deeper

consideration as the basis for the Preferred Alternative.

4. We believe a supplemental DPEIS is necessary that fully discloses the effects

(environmental consequences) of the alternatives (including but not limited to

economic, and river flow data at points relevant to river recreation users) on

“below-dam” river guiding and outfitting and other river-based recreation.”

The complete February 17 letter of comments is available on the MRGA website.

EWEB to Decommission Leaburg Hydroelectric Project/Remove Dam

EWEB commissioners have recently decided to decommission the Leaburg

Hydroelectric Project and eventually (+/- 10 years) remove Leaburg Dam. MRGA

did not submit formal comments on the EWEB process leading up to the January

6, 2023 decision. However, MRGA representatives at several public meetings

about the future of the Leaburg Project, made clear the need for continued

reliable water supply to Leaburg and McKenzie Hatcheries. During a February 3,

2023 ZOOM meeting with McKenzie Watershed Council members that included

MRGA representatives, Lisa Krentz, Generations Manager for EWEB, stated that

while EWEB has no legal responsibility for hatchery water supply, EWEB will work

collaboratively with its partners, especially ODFW, to provide needed water to the

hatcheries.

MRGA Opposes SB 65

Senator Lynn Findley of Vale, at the request of Tom McDonald, Desert Springs

Hatchery, Summer Lake, Oregon introduced Senate Bill 65 in the Oregon

Legislature January 9, 2023. The Bill directs ODFW to among other things,

annually spend at least 20% of department money related to trout hatcheries to

purchase trout produced by private aquaculture facilities. A public hearing on SB

65 was held February 8. The MRGA participated with an opposing statement.

There were 2 other participants: one a proponent and one an opponent. No

further meetings related to SB 65 are currently scheduled.

Leaburg Hatchery

In recent years, it has been a mutual intent and desire of USACE and ODFW to

transfer ownership of Leaburg Hatchery from USACE to ODFW. Such a transfer

however, is on indefinite hold because of the uncertainty of water supply to the

hatchery resulting from EWEB’s decision to decommission the Leaburg

Hydroelectric Project. In the interim, ODFW continues to lease the hatchery from

USACE while it contracts with USACE to provide mitigation hatchery trout at least

through 2024. Those trout will be reared at Leaburg Hatchery. USACE provides

$1.1 million per biennium to support the hatchery trout program. USACE also

provides ODFW over $550,000 per biennium to support Chinook salmon

production at Leaburg Hatchery since the McKenzie Hatchery has lost its water

supply with the closure of the Leaburg Canal. USACE also provides ODFW over

$100,000 per biennium to operate the “fish sorter” at Leaburg Dam.

Obtaining an adequate water supply to both the McKenzie and Leaburg

Hatcheries appears to be a critical emerging issue for MRGA following the January

6 EWEB decision to decommission the Leaburg Hydroelectric Project.

McKenzie River Discovery Center

The McKenzie River Discovery Center (MRDC) at the Old Hatchery across from

Leaburg Lake is getting closer to reality having recently received $4 million in

grants for the construction of the pavilion which will house the exhibits displaying

the main discovery themes: river/watershed; boats/guides; and fish. Overall

project cost is estimated at $18.5 million. Groundbreaking is planned for 2025.

The MRDC was the “brainchild” of MRGA when it was first conceived and

presented to the Lane County Parks Advisory Board by members Dave Helfrich,

Steve Schaefers and Steve Mealey in 2007. Tom Hoyt has been a long-time

supporter and board of directors past president while Gene Jones currently serves

as board president. Roger Fletcher has been an integral part of overall project

planning and implementation while Jeff Helfrich and Andy McWilliams serve on

the board. Steve Mealey has been a continuing board member and project leader.

Randy Dersham is a past project executive director. Tom Ripp, Ken Helfrich, John

Shama and Ed Portz are retired board members.