A brief statement of the measure as introduced. Authorizes construction of levees, dikes
and tidegates across Columbia Slough

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION II

Sponsored by Senator MORGAN, Representative, HOWARD, Senators LENT, ROBERS, WILLNER, Representatives AKESON, BRADLEY, ELLIOTT, GRAHM, LANG, McCREADY, PECK, ROBERTS, SKELTON, WILLITS (at the request of the Port of Portland)

SUMMARY

The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor’s brief statement of the essential features of the measure as introduced.

Authorizes construction of levees, dikes and tidegates across Columbia Slough in Multnomah

County at location to be determined by United States Army Corps of Engineers.

NOTE: Matter in italics in an amended section is new; matter [lined out and bracketed] is existing law to be omitted; complete new sections begin with Section.

Whereas an Act of Congress known as the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899 provides that it shall not be lawful to construct any bridge, dam, dike or causeway over or in any navigable river or navigable waters of the United States until the consent of the Congress of the United States be first obtained or, if the navigable portions of the waterways lie wholly within the limits of a single state, until the authority of the State Legislature be first obtained and until the plans have been submitted to and approved by the Chief of Engineers and by the Secretary of the Army; and

Whereas certain lands located at the confluence of the Columbia River and Willamette River in Multnomah County, Oregon are currently unprotected by dikes and levees; and

Whereas The Port of Portland has invested substantial sums in the promotion and development of such land for the benefit of the industrial, commercial and recreational interests of the people of this state; and

Whereas a levee or dike bordering on the Willamette River crossing the western end of Columbia Slough is necessary to permit the further development of such land, minimize the risk of flooding and reduce the costs and expenses of developing the area for the public benefit; and

Whereas physical and economic feasibility of extending levees and installing tidegates across Columbia Slough can be determined as part of an authorized review now being undertaken by the Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon:

(1) The Fifty-fifth Legislative Assembly hereby expressly declares its intention that levees, dikes and tidegates be and the same hereby are authorized across the western end of Columbia Slough at a location to be determined by the Corps of Engineers Department of the Army.

(2) A copy of this resolution shall be transmitted to the Chief of Engineers of the United States and to the Secretary of the Army.