Organizes water roundtable to discuss strategies moving forward
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) has asked the EPA to grant Bend flexibility from arbitrary water treatment deadlines so the city can sequence compliance in a way that avoids burdensome impacts to the community while protecting public health and safety.
Rep. Walden sent the letter, which seeks similar flexibilities as have already been granted to communities like Portland and New York City, to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.
Bend is facing an estimated $68 million bill for its surface water treatment project—$30 million of which is specifically tied to compliance with an October 2014 deadline for compliance with the Long Term 2 Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2).
“I ask that the EPA provide Bend with flexibility beyond the current October 2014 deadline,” Rep. Walden wrote. “If that flexibility is not granted, the city will be forced to decide between missing this arbitrary enforcement deadline or accelerating the project in a manner that deal a dangerous economic blow to the city through substantial water rate increases to Bend ratepayers.”
“This flexibility will allow the community of Bend to sequence compliance in a way that avoids burdensome impacts to the community while protecting public health and safety,” Rep. Walden wrote.
Walden will convene a roundtable discussion in Bend between a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss strategies going forward to deal with EPA’s deadlines. The meeting, scheduled for Saturday, January 21 at 9:45 am at the Bend Chamber of Commerce (777 NW Wall Street), will be attended by Mayor Jeff Eager, City Manager Eric King, Jack Holt, Tod Heisler of the Deschutes River Conservancy, Chamber President Steve Galash, Rep. Jason Conger, and Sen. Chris Telfer, among others.
The full text of Walden’s letter is below:
Ms. Lisa P. Jackson
Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue
N.W. Washington, DC 20460
Dear Administrator Jackson:
It is my understanding that the Environmental Protection Agency is conducting a periodic review of the 2006 Federal Long Term 2 Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2) with respect to the rule’s open reservoir requirement. I would like to express my concerns regarding how the LT2 rule will affect the city of Bend, Oregon and its ratepayers who may be subjected to substantial rate increases.
I ask that EPA provide Bend with flexibility beyond the current October 2014 deadline. If that flexibility is not granted, the city will be forced to decide between missing this arbitrary enforcement deadline or accelerating the project in a manner that would deal a dangerous economic blow to the city through substantial water rate increases to Bend ratepayers. The current estimated cost of Bend’s surface water treatment project is $68 million—$30 million of which is specifically tied to the compliance with the LT2 rule.
The EPA should provide Bend the same flexibilities that the agency already provided communities like New York City and the Portland, Oregon. Specifically, I would urge you to allow Bend to negotiate with state authorities LT2 open source drinking water treatment compliance deadlines that provide more time and flexibility and take into account the financial hardships and project management limitations. This flexibility will allow the community of Bend to sequence compliance in a way that avoids burdensome impacts to the community while protecting public health and safety.
Thank you for considering an extension of this deadline and more flexibility for Bend. I share your desire to ensure that our communities have the safest drinking water sources possible and I appreciate your efforts and willingness to find cost-effective ways to achieve these public safety protections.
Best regards,
Greg Walden
Member of Congress
