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Community Enhancement Program The Dalles, Oregon

March 2017

COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

THE DALLES OUTREACH TEAMCommunity Enhancement Program

March 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Letter of Introduction 1................................................................................................................

TeamVisiting Outreach Team 2....................................................................................................

March 2017 Overview 3................................................................................................................

ProjectsCivic Auditorium Theatre Restoration 7..............................................................................Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Economic Development 9..............................Dog River Pipeline Funding 10............................................................................................Historic Columbia River Highway and State Trail 11............................................................Workforce Experience Coordination Pilot 12........................................................................

IssuesColumbia River Treaty 14.....................................................................................................Dog River Pipeline Environmental Analysis 15....................................................................Federal Forest Fuels Reduction 16......................................................................................Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Continued Funding 18......................................................Protect and Enhance H-2A Temporary Agriculture Worker Visa Program 20.......................The Dalles Urban Area Expansion Process for National Scenic Area 21.............................US Economic Development Administration Support 22......................................................

ExhibitsCommunity Outreach Team Members 24.............................................................................Federal Funding Success Stories 25...................................................................................Recent Investment: Columbia Gorge Regional Airport Improvement 27..............................Recent Accomplishment: Wasco County Forest Collaborative Group 29.............................

March 27, 2017

Thank you for your willingness to meet with us today. The Dalles Community Outreach Team comes to you united in our efforts to seek improvement in our local community and region. Our community-wide approach recognizes that efforts to improve the quality of life for our residents encompass a wide variety of activities.

The Dalles, Oregon is located along the Columbia River on major transportation routes through the heart of Oregon, Washington and Idaho, as well as Canada, California and the western United States. The community’s central location has served as a commerce and trading center since before recorded history. Native tribe members came from throughout the West to fish, trade, celebrate and congregate. The Dalles’ role as a service center continues today for a region including two states, five counties and 90,000 people.

For the past three decades, our region has felt the consequence of declining natural resource-based employment sectors that were once its lifeblood. In response, the community has worked to diversify and further enhance its economic base, which now includes advanced manufacturing and technology jobs that have helped to restore the economy.

But the work is never done.

Within this document you will find the details of projects that are currently being pursued, as well as projects in progress and our success stories. It serves to inform Federal and State partners who can help us identify and obtain the necessary resources to achieve our objectives. A brief summary of each project and issue is included at the beginning of the book, with fuller descriptions following.

If you have any additional questions about our projects after our visit today, you will find contact information for project leads in each project description and within the included Outreach Team member list.

Best regards, The Dalles Community Outreach Team

Andrea Klaas, Executive Director Greg Weast, President Port of The Dalles Port of The Dalles

Darcy Long-Curtiss, Councilor City of The Dalles

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COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM - TEAM

VISITING OUTREACH TEAM

City of The Dalles The City of The Dalles, Oregon, is situated in the north-central part of the state on the Columbia River, the nation’s second largest river. It is the county seat and the largest community in Wasco County. The Dalles is one of Oregon’s most historic cities and was known earlier in its history as the town at the end of the Oregon Trail.

Darcy Long-Curtiss, City Councilor [email protected] 541-980-7184Darcy Long-Curtis grew up in The Dalles and graduated from The Dalles High School priorto attending Willamette University to study political science and international studies. She isan independent financial adviser and owns Empower Financial. She has been a long-timeadvocate for children and adults with mental health issues and respite care for families withspecial needs children. Current volunteer activities include The Original Wasco County

Courthouse and the Arc of the Mid-Columbia.

Port of The Dalles The Port of The Dalles’ mission is jobs and industrial land acquisition and development, and over the past 23 years, the Port has purchased, developed and sold over 250 acres of land, bringing more than 1,100 traded sector jobs to The Dalles.

Andrea Klaas, Executive Director [email protected] 541-298-4148Andrea Klaas joined the Port in 1999 and has worked continuously with her staff to bring jobsand investment to The Dalles. Andrea’s background in marketing, construction and real estatehas helped position the Port of The Dalles as one of the more successful Ports in Oregon andis home to over 70 small businesses that employ 1,500 people. This strong business diversityallowed the Port to weather the recent recession mostly unscathed. Andrea is a Governor’s

appointee to Infrastructure Finance Authority, on the Executive Committee of Drive Oregonand is a Trustee for Special Districts Insurance Services, a self-funded insurance pool for special districts in Oregon.

Greg Weast, Commission President [email protected] 541-980-1107Greg Weast was elected as a Commissioner to the Port of The Dalles in 2011 and becamePresident of the Port in 2017. Prior to becoming a Port Commissioner Greg served as Chair onthe Port Budget Committee for a number of years. Greg has been a very active member of TheDalles community representing small business on the Urban Renewal District board, as avolunteer band director and a downtown business owner for over 30 years, from which herecently retired. Greg is also actively involved in several regional concert bands and is a well-

know industry icon and advocate of independent music stores.

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March 2017 OVERVIEW

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE REQUESTS

Civic Auditorium Theatre Restoration: $5.86 million Page 7.......................................................The Dalles Civic Auditorium was built in 1921 as a memorial to veterans. The Civic was built with space for a wide range of pastimes from the era and remains a gathering spot for community activities. The Ballroom, Fireside Room and Gymnasium (now the Community Room) have been restored. The Theatre, the largest space in the building, has one of the best acoustic designs in Oregon. However, it requires complete restoration and structural repairs to be restored to its 1921 elegance. Completed, it will seat 700 to 900 people on two levels. Once restored it will be the only such venue between Portland, Oregon and Boise, Idaho. Of the estimated $6.4 million total project cost, $360,000 has been committed by the Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency. Another $180,000 has been raised through gifts and grants. A bonding request for $750,000 will be sought from the Oregon Legislature during the 2017 legislative session.

Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area Economic Development: $1,996,500 Page 9...............In 1986, Congress established the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (NSA), a bi-state region within Oregon and Washington. Funding was authorized for the region in support of economic development, establishing the Oregon and Washington Investment Board loan and grant programs. Only a portion of the authorized funds have been appropriated to the Investment Boards and those are now fully revolved. A new infusion of funds is urgently needed to support our economic development loans and grants program. The funds from this request will both increase the Investment Boards’ local financing capacity to support the economy of the Columbia River Gorge and support vital initiatives to address lost economic opportunity resulting from the nearly 30-year gap between congressional fund authorization and appropriation.

Dog River Pipeline Replacement: $4 million Page 10....................................................................More than half the the City of The Dalles’ annual municipal water supply is carried through a 3.5 mile long, century-old wooden water transmission pipeline through which an inter-basin transfer of water occurs. The Dog River pipeline is well past its useful lifespan and leaks an estimated 1 million gallons of water per day. Pipeline replacement is critical to the delivery of The Dalles’ primary water supply, would eliminate the existing wooden pipeline’s severe leakage problem, and would cut the risk of catastrophic failure.

Historic Columbia River Highway & State Trail: $22 million Page 11.......................................The Oregon Department of Transportation has been working on construction of bike path segments along Historic Highway 30, which will allow cyclists, hikers, and walkers to travel from Portland, Oregon to The Dalles, Oregon along. The Dalles believes that once completed this will increase tourism from cyclists and benefit o our economy.

Workforce Experience Coordination Pilot Program Page 12.........................................................Working with regional employers and school districts, the Port of The Dalles proposes to establish a Workforce Experience Coordination Pilot Program to work with businesses and educators to improve student awareness of and exposure to career and training pathways.

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ADMINISTRATIVE AND POLICY ISSUES

Columbia River Treaty Page 14...........................................................................................................The 1964 Columbia River Treaty between Canada and the United States guides development and operation of some water resources in the Columbia River Basin for flood control and power needs. Canada receives an estimated almost 10 times the benefits that the U.S. does under the current treaty. Some estimates by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bonneville Power Administration say Canada receives almost 10 times the benefits that Northwest interests receive. The Corps and Bonneville (acting as the US Entity for negotiations) sent final recommendations on the Treaty to the US State Department in 2013. The Treaty’s imbalance has an ongoing negative financial impact on the region, adversely affecting the region’s electricity consumers. The first opportunity for either country to terminate some Treaty provisions is September 16, 2024. To do so requires the country to provide notice 10 years in advance. In October 2016, the State Department officially notified the Canadian government of intent to engage in discussions on the treaty, but Canada has been slow to act on their negotiating authority. Failure to act expeditiously causes a significant potential loss to the Northwest region of approximately $1 million every two to three days.

Dog River Pipeline Environmental Analysis Page 15.....................................................................We are seeking support for the Dog River Pipeline Replacement Project. This 100-plus year old wooden water transmission pipeline is an essential part of City’s water system, carrying 54 percent of the City’s annual water supply. The project is currently undergoing environmental analysis by the US Forest Service to comply with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. The process has been delayed more than nine years due to Forest Service staff turnover and competing priorities. We would like a decision on the matter before the conclusion of 2017.

Federal Forest Fuels Reduction Page 16............................................................................................The City of The Dalles, Oregon receives 90 percent of its annual water supply from The Dalles Municipal Watershed. Approximately 2/3 of the Watershed is owned and managed by the US Forest Service. We are seeing increased tree mortality from the effects of overstocking, species encroachment, insect infestation and disease, and the associated high levels of fire fuels. The Forest Service and the City have been working together in recent years, often through public collaborative processes, to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire within the Watershed through forest fire fuels reduction and forest health improvement projects. Both the Mill Creek Buttes and the Dog River drainage have been identified in two separate Forest Service analyses to be at high to extreme risk of experiencing catastrophic stand-replacing fire. We are seeking support for forest fire fuels reduction and forest health improvement projects needed on Forest Service lands within The Dalles Municipal Watershed.

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Continued Funding For Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Page 18..............................................The PILT program provides payments to counties and other local governments to offset losses in tax revenues due to the presence of substantial acreage in federal ownership in their jurisdictions. Almost 60 percent of Wasco County’s road budget has come through Secure Rural Schools and Self Determination Act (SRS) funding, a PILT program. We request action to stabilize support and funding for Payment in Lieu of Taxes. While not as heavily dependent on this funding, local schools would see an estimated cut of $500,000 if this funding goes away, the equivalent of six or seven teachers. We support any effort that will provide funding to counties for untaxed federal land.

Protect and Enhance H-2A Temporary Agriculture Worker Visa Program Page 20...................We are seeking support from federal legislators and agency officials to support continuation of this program, and provide increased funding for staffing to meet growing demand. A viable agriculture industry in the Pacific Northwest depends upon availability of seasonal workers, both domestic and international, to harvest and process crops. At present, the only legal pathway to bring season agriculture workers into the country is through the H-2A visa program.

The Dalles Urban Area Expansion Process for the National Scenic Area Page 21.....................The City of The Dalles needs to expand its Urban Area boundary to accommodate economic development and population growth in The Dalles. Land available for future development within the existing Urban Area is being rapidly depleted. The Dalles has had an Urban Area Expansion Request pending with the Gorge Commission since 2011. The State of Oregon mandates certain land inventory requirements, and sets Urban Growth Boundaries, the state equivalent of an Urban Area. The Columbia River Gorge Commission, which manages the Scenic Area, has not yet developed a process to consider expansion of the Urban Area. We are seeking support in working with the various governing bodies to accomplish the Urban Area expansion. Over the coming year, we hope to engage with the Gorge Commission and Scenic Area stakeholders in a consensus process to develop the guidelines to allow Urban Area expansions.

US Economic Development Administration Support Page 22.....................................................The US Economic Development Administration has been critical to helping our region invest in our communities and plan for our future. We hope to maintain this primary federal vehicle to support investment into regional economic development strategy coordination, implementation and critical community infrastructure. By identifying and addressing local needs through planning, capacity-building, and direct investment, the US Economic Development Administration coordinates with the regional Mid-Columbia Economic Development District and similar entities to create jobs and promote entrepreneurship.

Through teamwork, our community has survived negative economies in the past. We are seeing an up-turn in our economy and feel we have created something special in this community – “Building Partnerships for a Brighter Tomorrow”. To continue to be successful we realize we need strong partnerships with our Federal and State elected officials and agencies.

We are requesting Federal assistance in key areas to help achieve and sustain our full potential for an enhanced quality of life for the community’s residents. We are not now, nor do we ever ask for the first dollar, we respectfully request a hand up, not a hand out.

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Projects

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CIVIC AUDITORIUM THEATRE RESTORATION The Dalles Civic Auditorium theater requires major structural and design updates. We are seeking help in identifying funding options. It is the largest and last remaining unrestored portion of this community center, built in 1921 as a memorial to veterans.

Project Budget:Total: $6,400,000Funded to Date: Urban Renewal: $ 360,000 Gifts and Grants: $ 180,000Funding needed: $5,860,000

Community Benefit: Restoration of the Civic’s theater auditorium would complete the restoration of this historic community center and provide another venue for community events, further strengthening the organization’s economic base. Immediate work to fix the ceiling, heating and cooling envelope will allow active use for fundraising

Lead Sponsor:Organization: The Civic Auditorium Historic Preservation CommitteeContact: Dennis Morgan, PresidentAddress: 323 E. 4th St., PO Box 1102, The Dalles, OR 97058Phone/Email: 541-298-8533, [email protected]

Project Partners: City of The Dalles, Veterans Groups, The Civic Auditorium Historic Preservation Committee, Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency

The Dalles Civic Auditorium was built in 1921, as a memorial to veterans. It shows foresight in providing a community center with space for every pastime of the era. While the Ballroom, Fireside Room and Gymnasium have already been restored, the theatre auditorium requires major structural and design updates.

Completed it will seat 900 on two levels. It has one of the best acoustical designs in Oregon. It needs to be restored to its original 1921 elegance with state of the art theatre technology. The result would produce the only such venue between Portland, Oregon and Boise, Idaho. The revenue generated from the fully functioning theatre would ensure the survival of the Civic, and provide an economic benefit to the community.

The plan calls for local funds raised to be combined with funds from private foundations and trusts, state or federal grants, and private donations. A $60,000 Urban Renewal grant is paying for a final engineering and architectural design. A capital campaign plan has been finalized through a Ford Family Foundation grant and a grass roots funding campaigns called Civic 27 and the $1,000 Club have raised over $20,000. A grant from the Google Foundation will fund a plan to ensure all improvements are as energy efficient as possible. A bonding request for $750,000 will be sought from the Oregon Legislature during the 2017 legislative session.

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mailto:[email protected]


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COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT A new infusion of promised federal funding is urgently needed to support the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area’s economic development loans and grants program. Help us capitalize on the interest of new and developing business in the Scenic Area.

Project Budget:Total: $10,000,000Funded to Date: $ 8,003,500Funding request: $ 1,996,500

Community Benefit: Strengthens the economy of communities in the National Scenic Area, contributes to creation and retention of jobs, leverages nonfederal dollars both public and private, provides a valuable tool for attraction of business investment, particularly with the Urban Areas.

Location: Oregon and Washington: Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (includes parts of Wasco, Hood River, Multnomah, Clark and Skamania counties)

Lead Sponsor:Organization: Columbia River Gorge Bi-State Advisory CouncilContact: Amanda HoeyAddress: 515 E. Second Street, The Dalles, OR 97058Phone, Email: 541-296-2266, [email protected]

In 1986, Congress established the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (NSA), a bi-state region within Oregon and Washington, and authorized funding in support of economic development, establishing the Oregon and Washington Investment Board loan and grant programs. Only a portion of the authorized funds have been appropriated to the Investment Boards and those are now fully revolved. Additional appropriations are required to support the economic development goals of the federally designated National Scenic Area. Funding awarded through the Investment Boards helps to strengthen and diversify the economy of the region. Through wise use of funds, the Investment Boards have generated sustained economic growth in our rural communities.

• Sustained Impact: From initial funding of $8 million, the Boards awarded over 200grants and loans, and revolved funds 1.94 times.

• Creates/Retains Jobs: One job for every $8,000 granted or loaned.• Leverage: Leveraged funds at a rate of 5-to-1.

Funding through the Investment Boards serves as a valuable tool that will continue to be used for loans and grants to improve the regional economy. The Investment Boards have established the framework for successful investment, providing resources to businesses, governments and nonprofits for business assistance, infrastructure assistance and workforce development.

The funds from this request will increase the Investment Boards’ financing capacity to support the regional economy of the Columbia River Gorge. The Investment Boads’ vital initiatives address lost economic opportunity resulting from the 26-year gap between congressional fund authorization and appropriation.

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COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM - ISSUE

DOG RIVER PIPELINE REPLACEMENT The City of The Dalles is seeking grant funding to replace the 3.5 mile long Dog River Pipeline, a century-old wooden pipeline that is leaking badly and at risk of catastrophic failure.

Project Budget:Total: $8,000,000Funded to Date:

Bond: $4,000,000Funding Still Needed: $4,000,000

Community Benefit: Pipeline replacement is critical to the delivery of The Dalles’ primary water supply, would eliminate the existing wooden pipeline’s severe leakage problem, and cut the risk of catastrophic failure.

Local Lead Agency:Organization: City of The DallesContact: Julie Krueger, City ManagerAddress: 313 Court Street, The Dalles, OR 97058Phone/Email: 541-296-5418, [email protected]

The Dog River Pipeline is a 3.5 mile long, more than 100-year-old wooden water transmission pipeline through which an inter-basin transfer of water occurs as part of the City of The Dalles water system. The pipeline is located on US Forest Service property through a Special Use Permit. It currently carries 54 percent of the City's annual municipal water supply.

The pipeline is deteriorated, badly leaking, and at risk of catastrophic failure. The project will replace the failing wooden pipeline with a ductile iron pipe. It is anticipated that the new pipeline will have a service life of 100 years. Replacement of the pipeline is allowed under the existing Special Use Permit. Assistance with funding the $8,000,000 project would be beneficial.

Replacement of this essential part of the City’s water system will eliminate substantial loss of the water resource as a result of leaks and minimize the currently high risk of catastrophic pipe failure.

Part of the project involves voluntarily installing fish screens on the pipeline intake and upstream fish passage structures where none now exist. These additions will be constructed, installed and operated consistent with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife guidance.

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HISTORIC COLUMBIA RIVER HIGHWAY AND STATE TRAIL

Assist in funding of the Oregon Department of Transportation project to complete the bike/pedestrian trail from Portland to The Dalles.

Project Budget:Total: $35,000,000Funded to Date: $13,000,000Funding Still Needed: $22,000,000

Community Benefit: Completion of the Historic Columbia River Highway and State Trail will create an added transportation route between Portland and The Dalles with the potential to draw tourism commerce into the less-traveled portions of the Columbia River Gorge.

Sponsors:Organization: Oregon Department of TransportationContact: Kristen StallmanAddress: 123 NW Flanders Street, Portland, OR 97029Phone/Email: 503-731-4957, [email protected]

Project Partners:City of The Dalles, Port of The Dalles, City of Mosier, Wasco County, City of Hood River, Hood River County, City of Cascade Locks, Oregon Department of Transportation, Cycle Oregon, Clackamas County, City of Troutdale, Senator Ron Wyden, Senator Jeff Merkley, Congressman Peter Defazio, Congressman Greg Walden, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Travel Oregon, and many others.

Location of Project:Wyeth, OR (I-84 Exit 51) to Hood River, OR (I-84 Exit 62)

Oregon Department of Transportation has been working on construction of bike path segments along the Historic Columbia River Highway 30, which will allow cyclists, hikers and walkers to travel from Portland, Oregon to The Dalles, Oregon entirely along the old highway. The Dalles believes that once this project is completed, tourism from cyclists will greatly increase and this will be a boon to our tourism industry, supporting overnight lodging stays, restaurants and related businesses. ODOT has completed all but 10 miles of this project, and has funding in place to complete the next 5.7 miles of the project. The remaining 4.3 miles of the project is estimated to cost $22 million due to large construction challenges, including the reconstruction of a tunnel at Mitchell Point, estimated to be $11.9 million. In addition to design and construction funding for the Mitchell Point Crossing, funding has been secured to complete the engineering for the remaining four miles of State Trail between Viento State Park and the City of Hood River.

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WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE COORDINATION PILOT Working with regional employers and school districts, the Port of The Dalles proposes to establish a Workforce Experience Coordination Pilot Program to work with businesses and educators to improve student awareness of and exposure to career and training pathways such as apprenticeships, on-the-job training, certification, trade school, etc.

Project Budget:Total: $216,000Funded to Date: $ 26,000 Funding request: $190,000

Community Benefit: Improve the ability of the region to meet business needs for skilled and capable workforce. Provide students with greater awareness and experience in potential career paths, particularly in industrial settings.

Location: Wasco, Sherman and Hood River counties

Lead Sponsor:Organization: Port of The DallesContact: Andrea KlaasAddress: 3636 Klindt Drive, The Dalles, OR 97058Phone/Fax/Email: 541-298-4148, [email protected]

The Port of The Dalles is seeking funding to pilot a regional Workforce Experience Coordination Program with a goal of increasing mentorship participation by 30 percent at the end of three years. This program is ready to go with five area businesses ready and waiting for students, and others expressing interest.

Successful workforce programs benefit from a continuum of programming, starting at the latest at middle school age, providing career fairs, job shadows and mentorships at the high school level, and then continuing on to the middle college and college level. Such programs require close coordination between schools and businesses. A K-12 coordinator would provide:

• outreach and coordination between the business community, schools and students to promoteawareness and interest,

• coordination to create the best matches possible between mentor and student, and• ongoing monitoring of the mentorship process.

Mentorship programs that partner business and education offer an opportunity for students to explore a variety of career pathways and gain a sense of what does and does not suit them. In some cases, mentorships may lead to summer employment opportunities, or even long-term career training and employment prospects. They also provide a connection with adult role models.

Employers who provide mentor sites get the opportunity to promote their businesses and career options to potential workers, not only including actual mentor students but also those who learn about the businesses through the outreach process.

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Issues

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COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM ISSUES

THE COLUMBIA RIVER TREATYSupport our request that the U.S. State Department immediately begin negotiations on a more equitable treaty with Canada.

Community Benefit: Renegotiating terms of the Columbia River Treaty would better balance the benefits received between the United States and Canada, reducing the cost burden on electricity ratepayers.

Local Lead Agency:Organization: Northern Wasco County PUDContact: Roger Kline, General ManagerAddress: 2345 River Road, The Dalles, OR 97058Phone/Email: 541-296-2226, [email protected]

The 1964 Columbia River Treaty between Canada and the United States guides the development and operation of some water resources in the Columbia River Basin for flood control and power needs. Today, the Treaty is grossly imbalanced, with some estimates showing Canada receiving almost 10 times the benefits that Northwest interests receive from coordinated system operations, according to studies by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which serve together as the U.S. Entity representing the United States in Treaty discussions.

The earliest opportunity for either country to terminate some Treaty provisions is after September 16, 2024; however 10-year advance notice is required for some provisions. Others terminate on that date without action required.

The Treaty obligates the United States to send hydropower benefits annually to Canada (the Canadian Entitlement). This cost is paid by electricity ratepayers in the Northwest receiving power from BPA and the Mid-Columbia PUDs, and has a clear impact on power rates paid in the Northwest.

In October, 2016, the State Department officially notified the Canadian government of its desire to engage in discussions on the Columbia River Treaty. That notification remains valid with the change in administrations. It is our hope that revisions to the Treaty can be reached expeditiously. But, with Canada slow to act on their negotiating authority, Termination of the Power Provisions, as set out in the Treaty terms, may be the only way to facilitate a successful negotiation. Without agreement, the Northwest region faces a loss of approximately $1 million every two to three days.

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COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM - ISSUE

DOG RIVER PIPELINE ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS Holders of federal Special Use Permits need a straightforward, reasonable process to obtain authorization for projects that are allowed under the permits, consistent with the management objectives of the area, and for which required state authorizations are already in place.

Community Benefit: Pipeline replacement is critical to the delivery of The Dalles’ primary water supply, would eliminate the existing wooden pipeline’s severe leakage problem, and cut the risk of catastrophic failure.

Local Lead Agency:Organization: City of The DallesContact: Julie Krueger, City ManagerAddress: 313 Court Street, The Dalles, OR 97058Phone/Email: 541-296-5418, [email protected]

The Dog River Pipeline is a 3.5 mile long, more than 100-year-old wooden water transmission pipeline through which an inter-basin transfer of water occurs as part of the City of The Dalles water system. The pipeline is located on US Forest Service property through a Special Use Permit. It currently carries 54 percent of the City's annual municipal water supply.

The pipeline is deteriorated, badly leaking, and at risk of catastrophic failure. The project will replace the failing wooden pipeline with a ductile iron pipe. It is anticipated that the new pipeline will have a service life of 100 years. Replacement of the pipeline is allowed under the existing U.S. Forest Service Special Use Permit.

During delays by the Forests Service in environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations, the permitting process has changed and now some work that was already completed must be repeated. The delays are increasing costs.

Replacement of this essential part of the City’s water system will eliminate substantial loss of the water resource as a result of leaks and minimize the currently high risk of catastrophic pipe failure.

Part of the project involves voluntarily installing fish screens on the pipeline intake and upstream fish passage structures where none now exist. These additions will be constructed, installed and operated consistent with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife guidance.

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FOREST FIRE FUELS REDUCTION FOR FOREST HEALTH IMPROVEMENTS

The Dalles Watershed includes Later Successional Resource (LSR) areas which, under the current “no touch” option are growing into areas with high potential for uncontrollable, high-intensity fires that could have devastating effects on water quality. We ask your help in developing practical forest management options within the LSRs to promote water quality and realize the mature forest values for which LSRs were originally designated.

Community Benefit: Better forest management would help manage the forest for wildfire prevention, protect The Dalles’ vital water supply, and reduce tree mortality from overstocking effects.

Local Lead Agency:Organization: City of The DallesContact Julie Krueger, City ManagerAddress 313 Court St., The Dalles, OR 97058Phone / Email 541-296-5418, [email protected]

Catastrophic forest fires have become a major economic and environmental concern in the western United States. Of specific concern are uncontrolled wildfires in municipal watersheds. Current federal regulation guidelines and management plans on federal lands are causing unhealthy forests susceptible to catastrophic fires. Tree mortality resulting from the combined effects of overstocking, species encroachment, drier type stands, insect infestations and disease all add to higher levels of accumulated fire fuels. This is particularly true in areas designated as Later Successional Resources (LSR) areas.

The City of The Dalles, Oregon receives 90 percent of its annual water supply from The Dalles Municipal Watershed. Approximately 2/3 of the Watershed is owned and managed by the US Forest Service. The Forest Service and the City have been working together in recent years, often through public collaborative processes, to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire within the Watershed through forest fire fuels reduction and forest health improvement projects undertaken in recent years. Both the Mill Creek Buttes and the Dog River drainage have been identified in two separate Forest Service analyses to be at high to extreme risk of experiencing a catastrophic stand-replacing fire.

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PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES (PILT) CONTINUED FUNDINGAction is needed to stabilize support and funding for Payment in Lieu of Taxes. Like many federal programs, it has been on the chopping block numerous times and significant effort is required each time Congress opts to defund the program. We support efforts to make this funding permanent.

Community Benefit: Continuing the Payment in Lieu of Taxes Program helps replace the tax dollars that Wasco County and other local taxing districts forfeit on federally owned lands.

Local Lead Agency:Organization: Wasco CountyContact: Scott Hege, CommissionerAddress: 511 Washington Street, The Dalles, OR 97058Phone/Email: 541-288-1616, [email protected]

Supporting Sponsors:

National Association of Counties (NACO), Association of Oregon Counties (AOC)

The PILT program provides payments to counties and other local governments to offset losses of tax revenues resulting from the presence of substantial federal land acreage in their jurisdictions. As federal land is not taxable by local governments, counties with large areas of federal land have struggled historically to provide adequate services to the public in light of the annual losses in tax revenue.

A significant portion of Wasco County’s land mass is publicly held by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. No tax dollars are generated from any of this federally owned land to support services. In Wasco County, PILT payments are primarily for BLM land and account for over $70,000 annually. Loss of this revenue along with all of the other Federal shortfalls will be impactful to a variety of public services provided to Wasco County citizens.

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PROTECT AND ENHANCE H-2A TEMPORARY AGRICULTURE WORKER VISA PROGRAMMaintain and enhance the H-2A visa program for temporary agriculture workers.

Community Benefit: Without the help of seasonal agriculture workers from other countries, the produce and meat sections of grocery stores would be empty within a week. Food security is as important as border security to the protection of our nation, and seasonal workers play a critical role in food security.

Local Lead Agency:Organization: Port of The DallesContact: Andrea Klaas, Executive DirectorAddress: 3636 Klindt Drive, The Dalles, OR 97058Phone/Email: 541-298-4148, [email protected]

We are asking federal legislators and agency officials to support continuation of this program, and provide increased funding to Customs (USCIS) and the Department of Labor for staffing to meet growing demand. A viable agriculture industry in the Pacific Northwest depends upon availability of seasonal workers, both domestic and international, to harvest and process crops. At present, the only legal pathway to bring seasonal agriculture workers into the country is through the H-2A visa program.

Depending on the type of agriculture and the length and timing of the season, some growers may be able to bring in their crops with strictly domestic seasonal workers. Cherries, for example, are a crop with a relatively short summer picking season that generates particularly attractive income levels. They draw families from other parts of the United States who may take vacations from their full-time jobs to earn extra money in cherries.

Other crops, like pears and apples, have longer seasons in the cooler fall and winter months and require larger workforces for harvest. In the Northwest, orchardists have been experiencing an inability to recruit domestic seasonal workers and have increasingly taken advantage of the H-2A program.

Washington state, alone, has set a goal of bringing in 15,000 H-2A workers this year to assist with agricultural crops.

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CITY OF THE DALLES URBAN AREA EXPANSION PROCESS FOR THE NATIONAL SCENIC AREASupport us in working with various government bodies to develop an objective and consensus-driven Urban Area boundary expansion process for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Community Benefit: The 1986 Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act anticipated the need for some future Urban Area expansion as circumstances changed within the Gorge, but no clear process was developed at that time. The ability to seek those expansions as needed is critical to sensible land use planning to accommodate growth within the 14 Urban Areas.

Local Lead Agency:Organization: City of The DallesContact: Julie Krueger, City ManagerAddress: 313 Court Street, The Dalles, OR 97058Phone/Fax/Email: 541-296-5481, 541-296-6906, [email protected]

The Dalles has had an Urban Area Expansion Request pending with the Gorge Commission since 2011, awaiting the establishment of rules under which such an application could be considered. The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act, passed by Congress in 1986, authorized the Gorge Commission to make minor revisions to Urban Area boundaries and set forth a process and criteria for use by the commission in carrying out the revision process. In the 2003 update of the Scenic Area Management Plan, the Commission established policies that required the adoption of rules for Urban Area boundary revision request.

Today, 14 years later, the Gorge Commission has embarked upon an update process for the Management Plan, yet in the intervening years no rules have been adopted relating to Urban Area boundary revisions.

The Dalles is increasingly constrained in its capacity to provide land for economic needs and population growth. The city has completed the Comprehensive Plan Review required to request an Urban Area expansion, as well as other preparatory work. The City, County and Port have worked closely together to minimize the impact of Scenic Area constraints, but there are some nonetheless.

We seek political support in urging the Gorge Commission to work with relevant government bodies to develop an objective and consensus-driven Urban Area boundary expansion process for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

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US ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION SUPPORTWe request support for ongoing investment into the US Economic Development Administration, an agency which has been critical to helping us invest in our communities and plan for our future.Community Benefit: Maintain the primary federal vehicle to support investment into regional economic development strategy coordination, implementation and critical community infrastructure.

Local Lead Agency:Organization: Mid-Columbia Economic Development DistrictContact: Amanda Hoey, Executive DirectorAddress 515 E. Second Street, The Dalles, OR 97058Phone/Email: 541-296-2266, [email protected]

Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) leads regional economic and community development initiatives throughout its five-county bi-state rural region. By identifying and addressing local needs through planning, capacity-building, and direct investment, the US Economic Development Administration (EDA) coordinates with MCEDD and similar entities to create jobs and promote entrepreneurship.

EDA invests in planning for tomorrow’s opportunities. MCEDD administers the EDA-funded Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The strategy organizes local public and private leaders to identify and assess existing assets and liabilities as well as future opportunities and challenges facing communities in the regional economy. As a result, consistent exchange and dialogue engages public and private sector leaders throughout the region on charting a path forward for economic development.

EDA invests in advancing entrepreneurship. EDA provides funding to develop and implement our regional economic development strategy and establish business funding programs. These resources have been critical to many of the services for advancing our economy, including:• Creation of the Gorge Broadband Consortium and resulting investments into broadband to

connect rural communities.• Industry sector development, resulting in creation of and ongoing support to the Gorge

Technology Alliance, Columbia Gorge Winegrowers Association, Columbia Gorge Bi-StateRenewable Energy Zone and more.

• Support for direct business assistance and business loan programs.

EDA invests in people and places. EDA’s support of locally driven projects leads to job creation and retention while generating significant private investment. A recent local (and bi-state) example is the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport Flex Building, which received an EDA public works grant. This project allows the region to retain a critical employer — Life Flight — and private space for additional business growth. Without this investment, Life Flight would move out of the region, causing a loss in jobs important to our rural area and an anticipated loss of more than $10 million in private investment. It is important from a health and safety standpoint, providing direct benefits to major medical providers, such as Mid-Columbia Medical Center, which indicated that service has resulted in a change in wait time for trauma patients from 45-60 minutes for response, down to 7-8 minutes.

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Exhibits

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TEAM MEMBERS

City of The DallesJulie Krueger, City [email protected], ext. 1120

Columbia Gorge Community CollegeDr. Frank Toda, [email protected]

Mid-Columbia Economic Development DistrictAmanda [email protected]

North Wasco County School DistrictCandy [email protected]

Northern Wasco County People’s Utility DistrictRoger Kline, General [email protected]

Port of The DallesAndrea Klaas, Executive [email protected]

The Dalles Area Chamber of CommerceLisa Farquharson, CEO/[email protected]

Wasco CountyTyler Stone, Administrative [email protected]

COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM - TEAM

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FEDERAL FUNDING SUCCESS STORIESAppropriation By Local Agency

Federal Year Project Amount

2002 Mid-Columbia War Memorial 120,000

2002 Airport Instrument Landing System 1,200,000

2002 QLife Fiber Loop 300,000

2003 Union Street Undercrossing 268,500

2003 Union Street Undercrossing 2,000,000



2004 CGCC Rural Nurses Training 1,250,000

2005 CGCC Rural Nurses Training 500,000

2006 Washington St/Downtown/Riverfront Access 1,800,000

2006 Washington St/Downtown/Riverfront Access 250,000

2008 Wasco County Emergency 911 Dispatch Equipment 221,000

2008 East Gateway Infrastructure 1,700,000

2008 CGCC Wind Energy Technician Training 120,000

2008 National Guard Training Center Design 970,000

2009 Wasco County Emergency 911 Equipment or Facility 300,000

2009 East Gateway Infrastructure 2,400,000

2009 CGCC Wind Training Nacelle 237,000

2010 CGCC Renewable Energy Technician Training 350,000

2010 Re-establishment of Tours to The Dalles Dam 340,000

2010 Marine Terminal/Lewis & Clark Festival Area 2,000,000

2010 CGCC: Strengthening Institutions Program 2,000,000

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2010 Renewable Energy Tech Program 120,000

2011 Terminal Reservoir Project** 6,567,023

2011 National Guard Training Center Construction* 13,800,000

2012 CGCC: Renewable Energy Tech Program

2013 Wasco County Demolition of Old Armory 180,000

2015 Columbia Gorge Industrial Center

2016 Heritage Heights Attainable Housing*** 3,000,000

TOTAL $42,371,173

*leverage a State of Oregon match of $4.5M

**ARRA loans, $2,988,773 in forgivable loan

***USDA RD, half grant, half loan

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COLUMBIA GORGE REGIONAL AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS Improvements to the World War II-era municipal airport are helping to prepare the airport for increasing use by large commercial aircraft and helping to position it as a regional eco-nomic asset.

Community Benefit: An up-to-date airport with the capacity to serve large corporate jets is an asset in increasing demand by companies seeking to locate in the Mid-Columbia area. The airport also plays a pivotal role in wildfire suppression in Oregon and Washington and, by housing the LifeFlight air ambulance service, allows for a dramatic reduction of response times to the region. The new airport business park also has the potential to serve as an economic engine for the Mid-Co-lumbia Region.

Location: Dallesport, Washington

Lead Sponsor:Contact: Chuck Covert, Airport Management TeamPhone/Email: (541) 993-1011, [email protected]

For a number of years now, the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport in Dallesport, Washington, has been engaged in an improvement strategy designed to bring the World War II-era Civil Air Patrol airport up to 21st century standards. The airport has become a pivotal facility in the Columbia River Gorge for corporate air travel, wildfire suppression crews, regional air ambulance service and desti-nation tourism. Therefore, it needs to offer facilities that meet the needs of those uses.

Improvements over the past few years have included: new drainage facilities along runways and taxiways, ASOS installation, new hangars, new runway lighting and lit signs, reconstruction of run-way 31-13, and a new maintenance hangar, among others. A new business subdivision has also been developed on airport land to spur economic development.

Two new projects are under way this year at the airport: Taxiway A final rehabilitation and a flex space hangar project.

The taxiway project is the final phase of runway renovation. The $1.4 million project received 90 per-cent of its funding from the Federal Aviation Administration. The Washington Aviation Administra-tion funded another 5 percent and the remainder came from the airport owners, City of The Dalles and Klickitat County.

The 15,000-square-foot Flex Space Hangar will be home to a Life Flight air ambulance base. In just under half of the building, Life Flight will be sheltering a fixed wing plane and a helicopter, as well as provide housing space for its local crew. The remaining space in the building is available for lease. Construction completion is expected by September 2017. The project derives its funding from a por-tion of a $2 million, 2015 bond, as well as $650,000 from the U.S. Economic Development Adminis-tration, $250,000 from the Klickitat County and $60,000 from the City of The Dalles.

The hangar is not only a benefit to the regional economy, it also provides substantial life safety bene-fit, reducing Life Flight average response times from about one hour to just 7 minutes.

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ARON FAEGRE ARCHITECT

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WASCO COUNTY FOREST COLLABORATIVE GROUP A broad constituency of stakeholders interested in healthy forest ecosystems, economic vital-ity and quality of life in Wasco County’s wildland urban interface. The group provides the U.S. Forest Service with proposals for management of National Forest lands and supports use of forest resources and related opportunities to strengthen local communities.

Community Benefit: Provides recommendations for restoring natural forest processes and functions, reducing wildfire risk to communities and adjacent landowners, providing a mean-ingful and predictable flow of restoration by-products for use by local forest product businesses, and contributing to recommendations to the Forest Service on restoration work within Wasco County.

Location: Wasco County

Lead Sponsor:Contact: Bill Noonan, Coordinator and FacilitatorPhone/Email: (541) 296-8185

The Wasco County Forest Collaborative Group is open to the public and includes a steering committee with representation from interest groups including the forest products industry, en-vironmental activists, community wildfire protection, watershed and water resources, local government, state agencies, recreation and tourism, private landowners and tribal interests.

The Collaborative’s guiding principles include landscape restoration through meaningful stakeholder collaboration, use of best available science, local economic development, reduction of long-term wildfire management costs, sustainability and leveraging local resources with na-tional private resources.

In May 2016, the group recently weighed in on the Rocky Restoration project, which focuses on forest health and vigor, improved conditions for wildlife, reduction in human-caused fires spreading from public access roads, and providing a safe location for fire suppression personnel to engage a fire. They offered recommendations related to road density, location of large woody debris and snags, commercial thinning and the impact of activity on stream corridors.

The Collaborative is currently engaged in a year-long activity list aimed at allowing future for-est restoration work to occur using stewardship contracting authority and other funds. Among those activities are strengthening partnerships, sharing land goals, developing stewardship con-tracting proposals, reaching out to Wasco County residents, developing a coordinated and con-sistent message around project language and purpose, among others.

Through their decision-making process, the Steering Committee strives to reach full consensus in decision-making and meaningfully address the interests and concerns of all Collaborative members.

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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THE DALLES?


The Dalles is centrally located on major transportation routes through the heart of Oregon, Washington and Idaho, as well as Canada, California and the western United States beyond.

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