County approves changes for EWEB water project at Glenwood site

Presenter EWEB is on track to protect its 1886 water right on the Willamette. To do so, Eugene’s water and electric utility is embarking on what will likely be the largest investment in EWEB history: a second water treatment plant. On July 7, Chief Operating Officer Karen Kelley:

Karen Kelley (EWEB, COO) EWEB holds water rights on the Willamette River, along with a permit that must be put to beneficial use by 2023 or risk forfeiture. 

Water rights are among the most valuable commodities in the world. If we pass the deadline for putting water rights to beneficial use under our current permit, they could be subject to additional conditions and restrictions moving forward, and we continue to see that play out in the legislative process. 

Permitting, construction, and commissioning of a treatment plant takes about nine years from start to finish. EWEB has already begun that process, and the current trajectory puts full commissioning in 2032.

Presenter The project manager for the Willamette treatment plant, Laura Farthing:

Laura Farthing (EWEB, Willamette project manager) It has taken over two years to get through all of the environmental studies and the reviews. Our DSL state permit has been issued. We have our Army Corps permit’s been conditionally approved based on the Department of Environmental Quality approving the 401 certification, which is dependent on land use.

So we have been running through the land use process concurrently with this. We are almost through the development code and refinement plan amendments that were required in order to make our lot buildable. The (Springfield) City Council has taken action and approved it, and the county is taking action tomorrow to vote on our amendments.

Presenter That was Willamette project manager Laura Farthing speaking July 7. On July 8, Lane County approved the land use change as needed for the DEQ and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits. Commissioner Ryan Ceniga: 

Commissioner Ryan Ceniga Next on our agenda is third reading for Ordinance No. 26-03 in the matter of amending Lane Code 10.600-15 to adopt amendments to the Springfield development code 3.4.245 and 3.4.250. With us, we have Mr. Jared Bauder and our interim Public Works Director Judy Williams.

Jared Bauder Thank you, Chair. This is third reading of ordinance 26-03 to amend Lane Code 10.600-15, to co-adopt amendments to the Springfield development code relating to the Glenwood Riverfront mixed-use district plan.

This is an applicant-initiated amendment proposing to update Springfield development code 3.4.250 to add high-impact public facilities to the list of permitted uses within the Glenwood mixed-use district, and to amend the 2014 Glenwood refinement plan to add clarifying text regarding the location and capacity of the proposed high-impact public facility.

And following the joint public hearing held with the board and the Springfield City Council on May 18, the Springfield City Council voted at their June 1 meeting to approve the City Ordinance No. 6514, addressing these same amendments. 

And today, the board is being asked to deliberate and take action on Ordinance 26-03, which staff is recommending the board adopt as presented.

Presenter The roll call vote was unanimous. Commissioner Ryan Ceniga: 

Commissioner Ryan Ceniga Motion carries 4-0 with Commissioner (Heather) Buch excused/absent. And thank you very much, Jared. 

Jared Bauder Thank you so much. This is a pivotal step in increasing the water resiliency and infrastructure in our community. And thanks so much for passing the motion today.

Presenter And that is one more step completed in a long and complicated permit process for EWEB’s second water source on the Willamette River. It’s being engineered to survive the Cascadia earthquake. 

You’re listening to KEPW 97.3 Eugene PeaceWorks Community Radio.