This article was published on: 12/18/14 12:00 AM
Bulletin staff report
Published Dec 18, 2014 at 03:13PM / Updated Dec 18, 2014 at 08:43PM
WASHINGTON — President Obama signed the bill Thursday authorizing the release of additional water from behind Bowman Dam into the Crooked River.
The bill was one of 51 signed by the president, according to a news release from the White House.
The Central Oregon Jobs and Water Security Act, which authorizes the release of 5,100 acre-feet of water for the benefit of the city of Prineville, passed both chambers of Congress by unanimous consent last week during a flurry of activity before Congress adjourned for the year.
The bill also allows the Bureau of Reclamation to release unallocated water timed to keep the downstream flow at around 80 cubic feet per second, a provision applauded by conservation groups. It also contains assurances for local irrigators and provisions designed to improve and restore McKay Creek.