Wallowa Lake Dam Rehabilitation and Water Management Act of 2004

The Wallowa Lake Dam Rehabilitation and Water Management Act of 2004 authorizes federal funding to repair the Wallowa Lake Dam in Oregon and improve local water management systems. The bill provides grants for dam safety upgrades, the installation of fish passage facilities to protect salmon, and the construction of water conservation infrastructure.

For local residents and farmers, this legislation aims to secure the long-term safety of the dam while ensuring a more reliable water supply for agricultural irrigation. Additionally, the bill supports environmental restoration by helping the Nez Perce Tribe and local agencies manage migratory fish populations more effectively. While the federal government would provide up to 80% of the project costs, the responsibility for operating and maintaining the facilities would remain with state, tribal, or local entities.