Update: Willamette Falls Lock Authority

Looking downriver over the Locks at LockFest 2010.

Since last summer, when the Willamette Falls Locks Authority (WFLA) hired Executive Director Reed Wagner, the Authority has been knocking over many of the bureaucratic dominos that lead to being a successful public corporation.

Preparations are being made for the transfer of US Army Corps of Engineers ownership of the navigation canal, locks, and adjacent federal property to the WFLA’s future stewardship and management. The Authority has established important contracted legal and accounting relationships. It is also developing a budget, key policies and procedures to guarantee a successful, ethical and transparent operation. They will launch new website early this summer.

Last year, the WFLA also built partnerships and monitored the Corps’ contracted work on a seismic retrofit to the walls of the canal at the Sullivan Power Plant and the guard lock areas.

At their January meeting, after months of research and discussion, the Authority approved a path forward with the Corps on protecting the Locks’ most important historic values. The process will involve the development of perpetual preservation agreements and facilitating partnerships to ensure responsible stewardship while operating a viable marine transportation resource. On the recruitment side, the eleven-seat Authority is still researching its options and key qualifications for a Marine Representative, which is the only vacant seat.

Clackamas County Board of Commissioners Tootie Smith and WFLA Secretary Sandy Carter are in the process of being reappointed to second terms. Meetings of the Authority are on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Oregon City Library, from 2-4 p.m. and on Zoom to interested parties. Please contact Sandy at sandy.carter@wordscount.biz to be added to the interested parties list.