We are proud to report that MCP got $15 million for our Community!

In July 2021 this organization and our partners in the local and state legislatures ensured that the McKenzie River was a key beneficiary of Senate Bill 762, a $600 million dollar bill that covered wildfire prevention and recovery as well as food and housing support for our devastated communities, rebuilding support for key local facilities, electric utility improvements and environmental restoration.

Years of work by the MCP ensured that $15 million of funding for new water and sanitation infrastructure in Blue River was also included in the bill and we intend to continue to ensure our community is recognized and represented at the top as work together to rebuild. This is an ongoing project for the McKenzie Community Partnership, we have come so far and success is now on the horizon.

Blue River is one of the oldest and largest sub communities along the McKenzie River.  A wastewater study sponsored by EWEB showed that many of the old septics systems in Blue River were failing, and leaking unprocessed sewage into the McKenzie River.   Back in the day, a septic system might have consisted of a buried barrel with drainage holes poked in it!

The water system is also getting a huge upgrade as parts of it has reached “end of life” and some parts were damages by the fires.

Funding of this project was a culmination of over 13 years of dedicated work by a large number of community volunteers and partners.  Partners include EWEB and the Blue River Water District.  The Design and Build phase are the next steps.

Project Update:  Lane County has hired a professional to oversee the design and install of the final project working with the Blue River Water District.  They anticipate a 3-5 year completion date.

MCP will continue to monitor the progress, provide input and intervene or participate as needed in the future.