While no one is using the “D” word yet, officials at the state, federal and local levels are bracing for what could be the worst drought ever in the Klamath Basin.
Governor Kulongoski was in the region this morning for a meeting with area officials about what needs to be done now to prepare.
Senators Wyden...
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If we’re ever going to restore the Willamette River basin, it’s going to cost a huge chunk of money.
Anywhere from about $593 million to $1.2 billion, according to Oregon DEQ.
In a new report, DEQ says decades of farming, logging and urban development have degraded the basins streams and rivers.
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During Thursday’s Klamath Basin signing ceremony, one group was conspicuously absent, Oregon’s environmental community.
Groups such as Oregon Wild and Water Watch, say they were kicked out of the talks that produced the two historic deals on Klamath Basin water sharing and dam removal. National groups such as American Rivers and Trout Unlimited did sign...
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Judging by the love fest inside the Capitol Rotunda this morning, it’s hard to imagine that the Klamath water wars ever existed.
The room was filled with smiles, applause and some humor courtesy of Governor Schwarzenegger.
Schwarzenegger joked it was finally time to say, “Hasta la vista to the dams.” The crowd ate it up.
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Interesting or newsworthy events from today until Sunday.
THURSDAY:
Klamath Basin Agreements
Decades of fighting over water, salmon and dams in the Klamath Basin could come to a close Thursday in Salem. Governor Kulongoski, Governor Schwarzenegger and Interior Secretary Salazar will take part in a ceremony to sign two agreements that are designed to make sure...
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After years of negotiations some 30 groups representing state, federal and local governments, as well as tribes, agriculture, fishing groups, and conservationists, have released a historic deal for sharing water in the Klamath Basin.
The goals are lofty, finding a way to make sure there’s enough water for fish, irrigation, local communities and area wildlife...
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A seafood processor in Bandon has been ordered to pay at fine of more than $208,000 for what state officials call “numerous” violations of the company’s water quality permit.
Oregon DEQ says Bandon Pacific committed more than 4,000 violations from 2004 – 2009, including:
Failing to monitor wastewater and not reporting the results. (2,800 occasions)
Dumping fish...
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If Measures 66 and 67 fail in next month’s special election, it could mean major reductions in how much money the state spends on monitoring pollution, protecting and restoring streams, maintaining state parks, and fighting wildfires.
These two measures raise about $733 million for state government by increasing incomes taxes on high earning Oregonians, and...
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There’s no question that winter and spring floods in the Willamette Valley cause considerable problems for homes, businesses and farms. But they’re good for at least one species… fish.
Research done at Oregon State University shows that flooded farm land helps fish in several ways. It gives them a sanctuary from fast moving flood waters...
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A pair of bills to protect more of Oregon’s wild areas are just about unstoppable as they move through the House. Today, they were approved by the Natural Resources Committee and the next stop is a vote on the floor.
One bill creates a 29,600 acre Wilderness Area in the Devil’s Staircase region west of...
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