The cities of Lebanon and Sweet Home together filed a tort claim against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, citing significant damages resulting from the Corps’ negligent management of water resources at Green Peter Reservoir.
The claim focuses on the Corps’ actions during a 2023 drawdown at the Green Peter Dam, which caused elevated turbidity levels in the South Santiam River, affecting the municipal water supplies of both cities. The increased sediment load severely impacted the water treatment systems of both cities, leading to heightened operational costs, equipment damage, and the need for costly pretreatment system upgrades.
“The damages we’ve sustained are substantial and ongoing,” Lebanon City Manager Ron Whitlatch said. “Together with Sweet Home, we are seeking accountability for the harm caused to our infrastructure and the significant costs we’ve incurred to ensure safe drinking water for our communities.”
In addition, both cities officially declared a State of Emergency in anticipation of potential impacts to water quality.
“This declaration ensures that we are fully prepared and have all necessary resources to protect our community’s water quality during this critical time,” Sweet Home Interim City Manager Jason Ogden said.
The emergency declarations are a proactive step to ensure both cities can effectively address any challenges that may arise. The declarations enable the cities to work closely with state and federal agencies and access additional resources to safeguard the safety and reliability of their water supply.
Both cities are working together to seek compensation for damages, which exceed more than $11 million in Sweet Home and $26 million in Lebanon. These costs reflect the anticipated upgrades necessary of the water treatment facilities to handle current and future drawdowns, ensure long term water safety, and address the strain the drawdowns have placed on the community’s resources.