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Residents raise cost and maintenance concerns about mandated fish screens and pumps
Summary
Several residents told council that required fish screens and pump maintenance can be costly and difficult to maintain; state water staff said fish-screen requirements stem from permit conditions and ODFW review and that voluntary compliance and agency consultation are the usual first steps.
Multiple residents raised the cost of fish screens and the burden of maintaining them on small private intakes, saying frequent cleaning and maintenance can degrade pumps and create unexpected repair bills. A resident at the meeting described the expense of recovering a failed intake and getting the system back online, noting substantial service charges for diver and electrician work.
Watermaster Susan Daffett told the council that requirements for fish screens are typically conditions of permits or certificates, often backed by ODFW review for larger or higher-risk intakes. "If your water right requires a fish screen on it, I would strongly encourage you to have fish screen on it," Daffett said, and recommended ODFW as the technical authority for screen design and standards.
