An estimated 2,100 people from across the Northwest attended the inaugural edition of the Central Oregon Agricultural Show last weekend at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond.
Low water storage and snowpack levels have prompted the declaration in Jackson County. It follows declarations by Klamath, Jefferson, Morrow and Crook Counties.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking anglers to complete a listening survey about fishery management in the Columbia Basin and the Deschutes River.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it will help fund Oregon’s $70 million plan for key drinking water projects and $70 million plan to improve wastewater infrastructure.
For the third year in a row, ranchers and farmers will be applying for state assistance once Gov. Kate Brown approves the drought declaration made earlier this month by Jefferson County officials.
The last two years represents the third-driest two-year period in the state’s history, mostly driven by Central and Southern Oregon that’ve experienced the driest period in recorded history. Seven Oregon counties, including Deschutes and Crook, experienced worse drought than ever, and surrounding counties are much drier than usual.
Salmon population management programs, including the operations and maintenance of Mitchell Act hatcheries received $63 million. The bill includes $39.5 million to support the implementation of Pacific Salmon Treaty.
Deschutes County commissioners will be asked next Wednesday to adopt a resolution declaring a state of emergency due to severe drought conditions and ask the governor to declare a drought emergency, much as Klamath County received this week and others will be requesting.
Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced Thursday a number of crucial wins for Oregon in the Senate agricultural spending bill, which they said will invest in agriculture, rural housing, food assistance, and rural business priorities that will benefit farms and families in every corner of the state, including Central Oregon irrigation canal-piping projects.
