Updates from Representative Findley!
As summer approaches, I want to give you a quick update on what has been going on in the district since we last spoke. I also want to personally congratulate the graduating class of 2018! Especially the graduating class from Crane High School. I am sorry that I wasn't able to celebrate with you in person, but please know that I am immensely proud of your work and your accomplishments.
Town Halls
The Town Halls that I hosted in all five counties across the district were huge successes. It was an honor to meet with the people who I represent and get the chance to hear about issues that are truly important to them.
QBS Work Group
Qualification-Based Selection (QBS) is a process that mandates how local governments can select vendors to provide engineering, architecture, and land surveying services. I am involved in a work group that is updating that process to make sure the localities of all sizes can use our QBS process to procure quality services while ensuring the best use of taxpayer funds. We are meeting with local governments, from counties to school districts to water districts and more, industry representatives, and other policymakers to determine what updates the current statute needs to achieve these goals. This work group is led by Rep. Susan McLain who brought forward legislation on this issue in 2017, and she has asked me to help because of my depth of experience in local government. I am eager to use my background to enhance the QBS process.
Hell's Canyon Complex
The Hell's Canyon Complex (HCC) is a hydroelectric power plant, owned and operated by Idaho Power. This particular plant is the backbone of their hydroelectric system. The HCC includes Brownlee, Oxbow and Hell's Canyon dams and their generation facilities. On average, these three different power plants generate about 70% of Idaho Power's annual hydroelectric generation and 30% of the total energy generated.
Unfortunately the long term HCC operating license issued by the FERC expired in 2005, and since then, they have been operating on a yearly license. I have been working diligently with Idaho power, Governor Brown's office, Baker County Commissioners, and water users to find a long term solution to this ongoing problem. Specifically, we have been working with the 401 Water Quality Certification. This is going to be an ongoing effort, but I am hopeful that we will have success in this endeavor.
If you would like to do more research on this issue, click here.
Drought - State of Emergency
Governor Brown has now declared that Grant, Harney and Lake Counties are all experiencing severe droughts and has issued a State of Emergency in each county. Water conditions are not anticipated to improve, and the drought is likely to have significant impacts on agriculture, livestock, natural resources, and the local economy.
If you have any questions about the drought, please don't hesitate to reach out to our office. I will be collaborating with the Governor's office, to ensure that we are using what limited water we have as effectively as possible.
District Office
We have exciting news about our District Office! It will be open by June 15th and will be located at 151 Court Street in Vale.The office will be open Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. The phone number for the district office is 541-473-4029. If you're in the area, please stop by and say hello, I would love to get to know you.
As always, I am here to serve you, if there is anything that either myself or my staff can help you with, please don't hesitate to reach out.
I hope to see soon!
Best wishes,
Lynn Findley
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