Pursuant to Senate Bill 256 (2017), Oregon Solutions facilitated the Willamette Falls Locks Commission (WFLC). Senate Bill 256 established the commission to advise state, local, and regional government agencies on development and implementation of a plan for repair, reopening, operation, and maintenance of the Willamette Falls navigation canal and locks. The commission recommended formation of an intergovernmental agreement. The work followed on the work of the 2016 Willamette Falls Locks Task Force and has proceeded, starting in 2022, under the auspices of the Willamette Falls Locks Authority. See the Oregon Solutions project page for the Willamette Falls Locks Authority for more information.
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Project Updates
- See the Willamette Falls Locks Commission member list (PDF), which is current as of July 1, 2019.
- The commission unanimously recommends requesting $15.535 million from the Oregon Legislature to fund repairs and upgrades, and to provide some annual and periodic maintenance. More information can be found at the legislative briefing sheet (PDF).
- Oregon Governor Brown includes funding to re-open the locks in her recommended budget. Read the press release (PDF).
- PowerPoint presentations on the locks’ public benefits can be found under resources in the “Meeting Materials, Resources, and Background” page on this site.
- The public is invited to submit comments to the Willamette Falls Locks Commission at any time regarding the future of the locks. Email comments to Turner Odell, Oregon Solutions, at the address below.
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Public Input
The commission provided opportunities for public comment at its meetings on the following dates: December 11, 2019; July 18, 2018; and January 30, 2019. Future opportunities to provide public input will be posted to this site.
The public is welcome to submit comments to the commission at any time regarding the future of the locks. Email comments to Turner Odell at the address below. See all public comments as of February 18, 2019 (PDF).
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Meeting Materials, Resources, and Background
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Contact
For more information or to join our email list, contact:
Turner Odell
Senior Project Manager
Oregon Solutions/Oregon Consensus
Portland State University
todell@pdx.edu