Shafer testifies for SB 455
By Terry Murry on Friday, February 3rd, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – Umatilla County Commissioner John Shafer testified in favor of Senate Bill 455 on Wednesday. The bill would require the state to pay for the cost of testing for aquifer recharge systems. Currently, the state of Oregon does not pay the cost of testing, which is put at about $500,000 a year for the required five years.
Sen. Bill Hansell (R-Athena) is sponsoring the bill and Shafer said it could mean a lot for the Ordnance Project on the west side of Umatilla County.
“It’s a $42 million project overall and that does not include the testing,” he said. “By the time you have the infrastructure built for $42 million, you don’t have a lot left in the tank for the testing.”
The Ordnance Project would run a pipeline from the Columbia River, eventually ending at the former chemical weapons depot and Westland Road area, where development is anticipated. It is to be constructed in three phases. The pipeline would provide water for irrigated acres as well as serving as a ready water source to benefit the economy and the environment.
At the hearing on SB 455, Shafer said no opposition was expressed.
