From left: Attending the award presentation were Ted Wheeler, State Treasurer; Sue Greer, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; Jason Karnezis, Bonneville Power Administration; Mark Croghan, Bureau of Reclamation; Linda Brown, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Jason Kehrberg, Grant SWCD, Kate Brown, Secretary of State, and State Rep. John Huffman.

SALEM – The State Land Board on Tuesday, April 13, recognized the Grant Soil and Water Conservation District, citing its exemplary efforts to promote responsible stewardship of natural resources in the John Day Basin.

The board gave its 2009 Stream Project Award to the GSWCD and its partners.

Secretary of State Kate Brown, who chaired the meeting, praised the district and its project partners for their efforts over the past 16 years to replace historic gravel push-up dams that impede fish passage.

“They’ve implemented solutions that bring positive results and long-term benefits to both fish and agriculture,” she said.

The district has been installing “lay-flat stanchion dams” to replace old-style push-up dams, which require rebuilding and excavation maintenance work each season. The lay-flat structures allow fish passage while requiring little or no maintenance with heavy equipment.

“By meeting both the irrigation needs of the landowner and the resource needs of the watershed, these projects have created acceptance, support and increased interest in restoration projects across the basin,” said Jason Kehrberg, the district manager. “The Grant Soil and Water Conservation District has developed the credibility necessary to attract voluntary participation at an extraordinary scale.”

Last season, the district completed its 100th irrigation diversion project, and plans call for another 60 projects in the coming decade to upgrade and replace diversions with state-of-the-art construction.

The key partners in the program include private landowners, the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Reclamation and Bonneville Power Administration.