Salem city councilors on Monday will consider whether to adopt a letter supporting Marion County’s lawsuit against The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over the agency’s planned drawdown of Detroit Reservoir.  The drawdown, planned for the fall, aims to make it easier for salmon to move through the North Santiam River. It would bring the water level to its lowest since the Detroit Dam was built 70 years ago. City leaders said in a lawsuit in federal court Wednesday that the planned drawdown will increase the turbidity – the amount of sediment – in the North Santiam River and temporarily overwhelm the sand filtration system that handles the city’s drinking water.  The county sued in May, and both the city and county argued the agency is in breach of federal law because it proceeded despite failing to submit a federally mandated report to Congress on the impacts of past drawdowns.  Both the city and the county demanded a federal judge halt the drawdown until the Army Corps complies with the law.  Marion County commissioners issued a joint statement supporting Salem’s lawsuit on Wednesday.  Also on Monday, councilors will get an update on the city’s progress on developing resiliency measures leading up to the drawdown, which include digging more groundwater wells and expanding other infrastructure to meet demand should the drawdown cause the city’s water system to temporarily fail.  Letter of support for county’s Detroit drawdown lawsuit  What’s happening?  If adopted, the city would proclaim its support for the county’s lawsuit against the Army Corps, arguing the agency must comply with federal law and fully consider the impacts of its proposed drawdown on the region’s water supply, a staff report from Public Works Director Brian Martin showed.  A letter would also emphasize the Army Corps failed to produce a congressionally mandated report on the effects of turbidity associated with past drawdowns. The report was meant to include historic data, monitoring summaries, lessons learned and critical information for evaluating future impacts. It would also point out that the Army Corps proceeded despite knowing the impacts the drawdown will likely have, raising concerns about compliance with the Clean Water Act and other federal requirements.  City progress on water resiliency leading up to drawdown  As the possible drawdown approaches, the city continues efforts to increase its water resiliency, according to a staff report from Martin.  Efforts include digging new groundwater wells on Geren Island, the site of the city’s water treatment plant; speeding up maintenance on the city’s slow sand filters at Geren Island which are responsible for cleaning the city’s water supply; upgrading the city’s capability to connect to Keizer’s water supply; and improving the city’s aquifer storage recovery facility in south Salem.  Get involved  How to watch Monday’s Salem City Council meeting When: 6 p.m. Monday, July 13.  Where: In person at Loucks Auditorium, Salem Public Library (585 Liberty St. S.E.) Watch online: Livestreamed on YouTube in English and Spanish Public comment options In person: Members of the public can sign up to comment on any item on the council agenda. Remote comment: Sign up on the city’s website between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday Written comment: Email [email protected] before 5 p.m. Monday, or drop off a paper comment at the City Recorder’s Office, Civic Center (555 Liberty St. S.E., Room 225) Also before the council   Livability bond funds for affordable housing  The $300 million infrastructure bond approved by voters in 2022 set aside $10 million for affordable housing projects, but there are currently no criteria in place to guide which affordable housing projects get funds, a staff report from Salem Chief Financial Officer Josh Eggleston and Community Planning and Development Director Kristin Retherford said. Councilors will consider incorporating the criteria on Monday.  With $6.6 million in funds uncommitted to affordable housing projects, city staff developed criteria and scoring to help developers stay in step with city housing goals and to help the city’s bond committee more effectively allocate the money that’s left.  The proposed criteria takes into account things like affordability, project readiness, proximity to amenities, and other factors.  United States Department of Justice grant  Councilors will consider authorizing the city manager to submit for a non-competative grant through the U.S. Department of Justice for funds to maintain the Salem Police Department’s Community Service Officer program, a staff report from Interim Chief of Police Brandon Ditto showed.  The funding is calculated based on a formula that takes into account population and violent crime statistics reported by the FBI.  The city expects to accept about $99,000, about $85,000 of which will go to the city. The other $13,000 will go to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the report said.   Salem transportation system compliance with state climate rules  Counselors will also consider Monday authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation to update the city’s transportation system plan to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction goals set by the state, according to a staff report from Martin.  The project will be largely funded by ODOT with up to about $975,000 in federal funds. The city will be responsible for matching about 10% of the funding, or around $111,000, and contributing staff time to manage the project and engage the public, the report said.  The funding is already allocated in the city’s current budget, including the match funds. Additionally, the city would be required to plan to build more facilities to serve people walking, bicycling and using public transit; implement an enhanced review of road projects that would increase capacity for cars; and adopt new performance standards for analyzing traffic impacts during development reviews, among other requirements. Contact reporter Joe Siess: [email protected].  “My go-to source every morning for accurate, local news.” Make Salem Reporter your trusted source for independent local reporting – every day. Stay informed and connected. Subscribe today. The post Salem to consider supporting Marion County’s lawsuit over reservoir drawdown appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less