The Oregon Transportation Commission approved a $418,000 Oregon Department of Transportation grant to maintain and operate Willamette Falls locks and canal five days a week during the 2006 and 2007 boating seasons.

$100,000 of the grant, which is from Federal transportation enhancement funds dedicated to historic transportation facilities, came from public and private interests who are participating in the Locks Funding Task Force facilitated by Oregon Solutions.

The long-term agreements for locks preservation, maintenance, operations and funding sources must be in place before October 1, 2007. Lock Fest on September 22, 2007 will feature the signing ceremony for that final agreement.