A rescued reservoir.Byline: The Register-Guard Who says there's never any good news? At a ceremony Tuesday, officials marked the completion of a $22 million repair project by rededicating Fern Ridge Dam. The successful repair job means boaters can look forward to sailing on Fern Ridge Lake next summer, downstream farmers can expect irrigation irrigation, in agriculture, artificial watering of the land. Although used chiefly in regions with annual rainfall of less than 20 in. (51 cm), it is also used in wetter areas to grow certain crops, e.g., rice. allotments; and lakeside businesses can anticipate the return of customers. Who says partisan warfare Not to be used. See guerrilla warfare. keeps Congress in gridlock Gridlock A government, business or institution's inability to function at a normal level due either to complex or conflicting procedures within the administrative framework or to impending change in the business. ? There at the ceremony were Sen. Gordon Smith
Gordon Harold Smith (born May 25, 1952) is Oregon's junior United States Senator, currently serving his second term. He is a member of the Republican Party. , a Republican, and Rep. Peter DeFazio Peter Anthony DeFazio (born May 27, 1947) is an American politician. He serves as a Democratic U.S. Representative from Oregon, representing the 4th Congressional District and is currently serving his 11th term. , a Democrat, who worked with other members of Oregon's congressional delegation to secure funds for the repairs. Both held the giant pair of scissors scissors Cutting instrument or tool consisting of a pair of opposed metal blades that meet and cut when the handles at their ends are brought together. Modern scissors are of two types: the more usual pivoted blades have a rivet or screw connection between the cutting ends at Tuesday's ribbon-cutting ceremony, showing that differences can be set aside in pursuit of a common goal. Who says the federal government moves slowly? The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers initially expected that fixing the dam's failing drainage system would entail transforming Fern Ridge Lake into a mud flat for three or four years. Instead, the repair work took about six months. Who says the federal government is inflexible? DeFazio, Smith and others persuaded the corps to make the Fern Ridge project a high priority. The corps reallocated money from elsewhere around the country to allow the work to be done on an accelerated timetable. Who says the federal government responds only to crises? A protracted pro·tract tr.v. pro·tract·ed, pro·tract·ing, pro·tracts 1. To draw out or lengthen in time; prolong: disputants who needlessly protracted the negotiations. 2. repair project would have been bad, but waiting for Fern Ridge Dam to fail would have been worse. Finding the political will and budgetary support for action to correct problems before their gravity becomes manifest is not easy, as those who relied on the protection of levees in New Orleans will attest. In this case, the Corps of Engineers averted a potential disaster. Who says the government can't do anything right? The corps' contractor, Barnard Construction of Bozeman, Mont., finished the drainage repair job on time and under budget. Excavated material will be used to improve wildlife habitat around Fern Ridge Lake. The project was unencumbered by lawsuits and administrative appeals. Who says? Among the many who are relieved that they won't lose several years of Fern Ridge Dam's value for recreation, flood control and irrigation, no one was saying those things Tuesday. |
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