LaMalfa Bill to Site New Dam Passes First Major Hurdle

Pioneer Press

Fort Jones , CA

Wednedsay, April 9, 2008

page W6, column 2

pioneerp@sisqtel.net

Sacramento - AB 2434 (LaMalfa), a bill that would conduct a feasibility study for the proposed Ostrum Point Dam in Modoc County, passed out of the Assembly Water, Parks, & Wildlife Committee on Tuesday.  The bill will now move on to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

For residents in Modoc and Lassen County , a dam on the Pit River has many potential benefits.  A dam at Ostrom Point would bring stability to a region that has seen numerous issues with flooding in the winter and water shortages in the summer.  In addition to flood control and greater water resources for agricultural use, the Ostrom Point Dam would have many positive economic effects on the area.  Stored water would create a lake for recreational use, which would provide opportunities to increase tourism.  Continuous flows on the Pit River could allow for added energy and power benefits as well.

"I am extremely pleased that this bill was passed by the committee.  The members of the Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee heard just how crucial the Ostrom Point Dam is to the residents of Lassen and Modoc County .  This is an important step for Northern California 's water supply." LaMalfa stated after the bill's passage.

Modoc County Supervisor Dave Bradshaw commented, "I appreciate the support we received from Assemblyman LaMalfa and the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee.  This is the first step toward returning economic stability to the Big Valley Region of Modoc and Lassen Counties and at the same time, improve and enhance the Pit River as a resource."

Assemblyman LaMalfa is a lifelong rice farmer, who represents the Second Assembly District including Shasta, Tehama, Butte , Colusa, Glenn, Modoc, Siskiyou, Sutter and Yolo counties.

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