In a significant move to prevent a looming economic crisis, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has initiated a state of emergency in Morrow and Umatilla counties due to the imminent threat of an economic shutdown in the region. As part of the declaration, an exception has been made for the Port of Morrow’s wastewater permit with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), allowing for temporary field application of wastewater during a critical period, as the Oregon State Governor's Office reported.
This unforeseen measure has been deemed necessary to directly respond to the challenges posed by the agricultural "non-growing season" and unusually high precipitation levels. The emergency policy permits the application of wastewater to designated "low-risk" fields tomorrow through February 28. Governor Kotek has emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, as per the Governor's Office, "pausing operations even for a short time in February would be devastating to the local economy and potentially shut down some operations permanently," pointing to the significant role that Morrow and Umatilla counties play in both Oregon's agricultural output and employment.
According to the Governor's Office, precipitation in the region has fallen above the 95th percentile of the 23-year average, creating a severe risk that storage capacities will soon be overwhelmed. This jeopardizes the continuous operations of food processing and other industrial facilities, which could lead to widespread job losses and economic detriment. The governor highlighted a clear expectation that all stakeholders involved with wastewater in the Lower Umatilla Basin collaborate to mitigate nitrate groundwater contamination.
The state has taken continuous action to tackle high nitrate levels in the region's groundwater for two years. As part of these efforts, the state provided free health testing and clean drinking water delivery and invested in a Nitrate Reduction Plan. Governor Kotek assured, per the Governor's Office, "I did not make this decision lightly," highlighting the intricate balance of protecting jobs, the national food supply, and the welfare of domestic well users. The state government's comprehensive response plan has included providing essential resources and education to affected homeowners, enhancing local committee facilitation, and securing federal collaboration to address the groundwater contamination issues persistently.
