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Roy Elicker, Director, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: This agreement will help
us to restore, conserve some of the most important native wildlife habitats in the Willamette
Valley. And with less than 20 percent of historic wildlife habitat left in the [Willamette]
valley and a human population expected to double in the next few year, the time for
this agreement is now.
As part of this agreement, two important pieces of fish and wildlife habitat will be protected.
The Wildish family property, located at the confluence of the Coast and Middle fork of
the Willamette River. As well as part of the [Our Lady of Guadalupe] Trappist Abbey monastery
in the heart of Willamette wine country.
Ted Kulongoski, Governor, State of Oregon: This agreement will allow us to maintain the
flood control and power benefits of the Willamette River hydro system and allow us to finally
address the impacts of that system on our wildlife resources here in the Willamette
Valley. The funding package is in excess of $144 million over the next 15 years. This
joint commitment guarantees the protection of at least 26,500-plus acres in mitigation
for the losses for construction and operation of the Willamette Valley dams.
Steve Wright, Administrator, Bonneville Power Administration: This agreement will provide
a lasting legacy of dual protection: ecological protection in a cost-effective manner that
also protects northwest electric ratepayers from higher than necessary costs and rates.
Now this agreement is not just between us [BPA] and Oregon. We welcome the support of
the [Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs] Warm Springs and [Confederated Tribes of Siletz
Indians] and Siletz tribes for this comprehensive approach.
Ted Kulongoski: This agreement also marks a new era of partnership among the federal,
state, local governments, our tribal sovereigns and other organizations. This is the kind
of agreement we should be entering into in all areas of public policy and should serve
as a model for other states across the nation.
Steve Wright: This comprehensive agreement with the State of Oregon allows us to go forward
with the acquisition of two ecological gems that deserve to be preserved into perpetuity
and it’s really a pleasure to be involved in something that’s going to create that
type of long-term legacy for the region.