Federal law could give The Dalles reservoir land

But to do that, the city needed an environmental study to build on federal land, plus a tangle of permits from the Forest Service. They mentioned this to Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ore), whose chief of staff proposed a bill to cut the red tape, he said.

Bentz introduced the bill. In his interview with Columbia Gorge News, he noted that ever-hotter and larger wildfires are happening around the state, and how The Dalles’ water supply could be impacted in the future.

“Having enough water is a great big deal, particularly in our more fire-prone future, and particularly where you have a city where you’re trying to add industrial activities such as you guys have, in the form of Google and other things,” Bentz said.

If the bill passes the Senate and Trump signs it, the City of The Dalles will need to make a written request for the transfer of ownership and pay any associated costs.

“With 85% of our drinking water coming from this watershed, consolidating ownership of the land around the Crow Creek Dam and Reservoir is a tremendous step forward for our community,” said The City of The Dalles Mayor, Richard Mays in a press release from Bentz’ office.

“And so we met with Forest Service, we met with other people, and everybody was totally supportive. And so we brought the bill. I’m on the proper committee, I’m on natural resources, and I’m on the Subcommittee on Federal lands, and so I know the chair of that subcommittee very well is good friend, so we were able to move that through,” Bentz said.