Draining Oregon: Lawmaker strips specific dollar amounts out of water fee bill By Andrew Theen The Oregonian/OregonLive Apr 19, 2017 A House committee gave its blessing this week to a bill that would charge an annual fee to tens of thousands of Oregon water rights holders — but not without a last second twist.
Special Report: Draining Oregon
Special Report: Draining Oregon, Oregonian, August 26, 2016 In-depth analysis of state water management found farmers in a quarter of eastern Oregon, the driest part of the state, are allowed to pump more underground water each year than rains deposit. The water giveaway threatens economic chaos and hurts fish and wildlife.
Salem to sell unused water right for $16.2 million
By Tracy Loew Salem Statesman Journal May 24, 2016 The city of Salem has agreed to sell part of its water rights on the Willamette River to the fast-growing city of Hillsboro. If the deal goes through it will earn Salem $16.2 million, which will be used to improve the city’s water infrastructure. “We don’t have any immediate need for …
Senators put pork before Klamath Basin water
Senators put pork before Klamath Basin water By Jim McCarthy For The Register-Guard February 27, 2016 Parched Lower Klamath NWR, Sept. 20, 2013 Most Oregonians expect our elected leaders to support more water conservation efforts in the drought-prone Klamath River Basin. They don’t expect them to prop up excessive water use at the expense of taxpayers, wildlife, salmon and coastal …
Some Salem households use millions of gallons of water – in a year
Some Salem households use millions of gallons of water – in a year By Tracy Loew Statesman Journal November 14, 2015 It takes 6 1/2 years for the average American family to use 660,000 gallons of water – the amount contained in an Olympic-sized swimming pool. In a single year, 16 Salem households used more than that – some much …
Bills to protect environment derailed by finances
Bills to protect environment derailed by finances By Beth Casper and Stefanie Knowlton Statesman Journal June 15, 2009 Only a few proposals make it out of committee Even with a Democratic majority and support from the governor, environmental legislation this session couldn’t contend with the state’s economic woes. A carbon cap-and-trade bill, Senate Bill 80, the core of the …
Smart Water Usage: Methods Abound for Prudent Management
Smart Water Usage: Methods Abound for Prudent Management By Stefanie Knowlton Statesman Journal (pdf) August 22, 2008 Landscapes account for about half of all the residential water use in Oregon during the summer. Save money and water with landscape planning that features a focus on water conservation. Gadgets and Gauges Even if you don’t have an irrigation system, you can …
New dam proposals restart 1970s-era fights
New dam proposals restart 1970s-era fights By Colin Sullivan (ClimateWire) EarthNews May 07, 2008 ClimateWire: SAN FRANCISCO — Wallace Stegner, the chronicler of the American West, had a simple response when asked to explain the economics of California. “Water,” he said famously. “It’s about the water.” Stegner’s truism is relevant now more than ever. Climate change is giving the …
Stuck in denial as the river runs dry
Stuck in denial as the river runs dry By Steve Duin Oregonian October 25, 2007 Ten years ago, Ron Neilson, a U.S. Forest Service bioclimatologist, gave a short talk on climate change to his daughter’s class at Corvallis High School. “When I was done,” Neilson said, “I looked out across this sea of high school faces . . . …
Bidding Set to Close for 82 Acres Near Sandy
Bidding Set to Close for 82 Acres Near Sandy By Brad Schmidt Oregonian August 22, 2007 Bidding will close today on the sale of 82 acres of forestland along U.S. 26 in Brightwood, a transaction that could lead to the construction of 260 houses — the largest new single-family residential development near Mount Hood in four decades. Talk of …
Water war pits urban vs. rural
Water war pits urban vs. rural By John Burt Capital Press August 03, 2007 Water. It always has come down to water for agriculture. Farmers and ranchers have the scars from the wars that have raged over who has it, who wants it and who needs it. When it comes to water I’ve seen drought years and flood years, …
Hydro Hogs
Hydro Hogs By Ian Demsky Willamette Week September 27, 2006 Sci-fi author Arthur C. Clarke famously remarked that it’s silly to call our planet Earth when, in truth, it’s mostly water. Nobody knows that better than Portlanders, who pay for their pristine summers with cold, wet winters. Some gray January mornings, it seems like there might even be too much …