2010 Appropriation Request
Greenberry Irrigation District applied for a 2010 appropriation request with Congressman DeFazio and Senators Wyden and Merkley for $1,000,000. Of the dozens of requests received by Congressman DeFazio, the GID request was among the 10% chosen by him to request funding for.
The GID funding request is supported by letters to our federal delegation from the Benton County Commissioners, the Marys River Watershed Council, Benton County Farm Bureau, and the Friends of the Willamette Valley Wildlife Refuge Complex.
This money is targeted for a second trunk pipeline from the Willamette River to the Bailey Branch RR tracks and pump station. The GID has already self-financed the first pipeline, which will serve about half the district's long term needs when completed in 2009.
The GID has asked for public funding of about 37% of the cost of constructing the infrastructure for the southern part of the district this second pipeline will serve. This federal request funds adequate infrastructure capacity for the GID to be available to partner with others in important habitat restoration and conservation projects on and off the district:
Finley Wildlife Refuge: GID is working closely with Finley Refuge as it develops its Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and it considers alternatives that will require off-refuge water. This will include development of permanent and seasonal wetlands, as well as assisting cooperative farmers in more efficiently growing feed for geese utilizing irrigation. (Finley currently lacks sufficient water to insure greening up its wetlands and growing adequate feed before the arrival of the geese each fall.) Many of these efforts on refuge can be leveraged by off refuge projects in the vicinity creating a more dynamic refuge-private relationship.
Corvallis Re-use Project: About 2 years ago, the City of Corvallis and GID signed an MOU to the effect that they will work together in using the City's re-use water at the highest level possible. In the event that using this water for irrigation becomes viable, this second pipeline is necessary to provide the water for the dilution process that has been discussed with Kennedy - Jenks Engineers, the DEQ, and other agencies. At the current moment, it seems there may be alternatives available to the City that are more cost-effective. However the Board of Directors of the GID remain open to assisting Corvallis in solving the very challenging task of reducing the City's impact on the Willamette River.
Augmentation of Muddy Creek: Muddy Creek is over allocated for irrigation, and extremely quality impaired in summer due to low flows. There has been discussion among stakeholders such as ODFW and others that indicate increasing those flows would be beneficial to the health of our watershed.
Private Conservation Projects: The GID has several locations among its members that can benefit from additional water, creating and enhancing habitat. Of particular interest is ensuring the survival of the Western Pond Turtle. Significant habitat is in private ownership in the form of old river channels of the Willamette and other riparian areas can be enhanced. On going discussions with the staff of Marys River Watershed Council, OWEB, ODFW, Finley Refuge's off-refuge program, Ducks Unlimited, and others are engaged with the GID board and staff looking at options that compliment the GID members' agricultural and environmental objectives.
Adding this second pipeline allows the GID the flexibility to engage our watershed community fully. Certainly, federal funding lowers the overhead costs for the district. It also lowers the cost for the district to deliver water to other projects, increasing our involvement in our community, and facilitates significant environmental services on and off district.
The 2010 GID appropriation request also fulfills objectives for the country at this time of serious economic downturn. It creates short term jobs in the form of construction work and the purchase of pipe, pumps, and other domestically produced products. More irrigation machinery is purchased on farm.
As a result of this pipeline project, productivity increases on farm due to irrigation, and a basic industry flourishes. That value moves up through the community in a multiplier effect, buying more goods and services. A strong agricultural base is an important component in the local economy, and we hope we can count on your support.
