Water
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Science & Environment
Environmental groups take Oregon to court over renewable diesel refinery on Columbia River
Environmental groups are asking a court to reverse a permit for a proposed renewable diesel refinery in Columbia County, over concerns it could pollute the Columbia River and disrupt working farms.
Think Out Loud
University of Oregon study investigates water injustice
The analysis focuses on vulnerable communities facing systemic barriers to clean water and water privatization in America.

Science & Environment
Restoring the river’s memory: Quartz Creek project reconnects river for habitat and water quality
A major earth-moving project is underway along the McKenzie Highway east of Eugene-Springfield. The work is meant to restore the McKenzie River to its more meandering character to improve wildlife habitat and water quality.
Politics
Portland approves biggest water, sewer rate increase in more than a decade
Portland City Council approved a more than 6% water and sewer rate increase.

Oregon leaders agree the Lower Umatilla Basin’s nitrates are a crisis. But the funds aren’t there
For decades, waste carrying nitrates from large livestock farms, food processing facilities and irrigated farms has seeped through the Lower Umatilla Basin’s soil and into the groundwater below.

Water
Governor turns ‘lessons’ from Eastern Oregon nitrate crisis into a reform bill
Senate Bill 1154 centralizes the state’s response to groundwater pollution, but hundreds of private well owners oppose it.
Water
Millions of dollars in Portland city funds redirected in fraud scheme
The fraud scheme targeted about $7 million in city of Portland funds that were allocated for the Bull Run water filtration project.
Infrastructure
Southern Oregon cities ‘scrambling’ after FEMA cuts water project grants
With federal money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency now uncertain, Grants Pass, Medford and Port Orford officials are all facing potential budget shortfalls for water systems projects.

Water
After years of drought, Klamath Basin farmers get long-awaited water relief
Water managers in the Klamath Basin say, for the first time since 2019, there will be enough water to meet everyone’s demands this year.

$5B culvert removal plan appears dead in Washington Legislature
A Senate plan for new borrowing to pay for the tear-out and replacement of pipes and other fish barriers ran into opposition from local governments and the governor.