Commissioners Approve IGA for Willamette Water Supply Project Investment

The Polk County Board of Commissioners meeting on June 24, 2025, focused on the approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with a consulting firm, GSI, based in Corvallis. The agreement aims to enhance water management strategies in the county.

During the meeting, a recommendation was made to approve the IGA while allowing legal counsel to make necessary technical changes without altering the core substance of the agreement. GSI has been a long-time partner for Polk County, providing expertise in water rights and master planning for decades.

The discussion highlighted the significant investment in water studies, amounting to approximately $500,000 over 25 years. This funding has not come from the Polk County General Fund but rather through various grants from the Oregon Water Resources Department. The studies have focused on assessing water demand and supply for the next 50 years, exploring options such as water storage and sourcing from the Willamette River.

The findings indicated that constructing two dams would be necessary to manage water effectively without harming fish populations, leading to a shift in focus towards utilizing the Willamette River. The ongoing studies aim to determine the feasibility of regionally distributing water, a project that has evolved significantly since the early 2020s.

Commissioners expressed gratitude for the leadership shown in pursuing this project, particularly in light of recent federal funding that has supported continued investment in water management. The meeting underscored the importance of good governance and the proactive steps taken by past commissioners to secure water rights for the county.

As the IGA moves forward, it will be brought back to the Board for final approval on a consent calendar, marking a significant step in Polk County's water management efforts.