“Umatilla, Morrow counties begin to chart a path to clean drinking water for Lower Umatilla Basin residents”
fter years of giving out bottled water and filters to Lower Umatilla Basin residents affected by the region’s nitrate crisis, authorities are starting to look into ways they can connect those residents with clean sources of drinking water.
Whether this issue will be first resolved by local government or the federal court system is an open question.
Commissioners from Umatilla and Morrow counties held a joint meeting in Hermiston Wednesday to discuss plans to find alternatives to drawing water from private wells, which are more vulnerable to nitrate contamination.
By Antonio Sierra | OPB | March 14, 2024
“After years of giving out bottled water and filters to Lower Umatilla Basin residents affected by the region’s nitrate crisis, authorities are starting to look into ways they can connect those residents with clean sources of drinking water.
Whether this issue will be first resolved by local government or the federal court system is an open question.
Commissioners from Umatilla and Morrow counties held a joint meeting in Hermiston Wednesday to discuss plans to find alternatives to drawing water from private wells, which are more vulnerable to nitrate contamination.”
“Mega-Dairy CAFOs Tout Methane Digesters to Green Their Image”
In 2022, officials in Oregon’s Morrow County declared a state of emergency. The announcement was not in response to a sudden event like a wildfire, earthquake, or flood. Yet it was something just as grave: Their water was dangerously polluted.
For three decades, agricultural and industrial runoff has contaminated groundwater in the Lower Umatilla Basin of the state. Last summer, canvassers for the Oregon Health Authority went door to door, testing residents’ well water to see just how bad the situation had become.
“Right off the bat, it was pretty clear that the problem was really severe,” says Kaleb Lay, community organizer at Oregon Rural Action. Forty percent of the wells tested showed concentrations of nitrates above the level deemed safe by the US EPA. The link between high nitrate levels and several diseases is well-established; some newer studies suggest that even very low nitrate levels may heighten the risk of certain cancers. “You can’t throw a rock in the city of Boardman without finding someone who has cancer or a miscarriage,” says Lay. “The trick is there's no straightforward test a doctor can use to connect an individual's health condition to nitrates."
By Juliet Grable | The Sierra Club | March 7, 2024
“In 2022, officials in Oregon’s Morrow County declared a state of emergency. The announcement was not in response to a sudden event like a wildfire, earthquake, or flood. Yet it was something just as grave: Their water was dangerously polluted.
For three decades, agricultural and industrial runoff has contaminated groundwater in the Lower Umatilla Basin of the state. Last summer, canvassers for the Oregon Health Authority went door to door, testing residents’ well water to see just how bad the situation had become.
“Right off the bat, it was pretty clear that the problem was really severe,” says Kaleb Lay, community organizer at Oregon Rural Action. Forty percent of the wells tested showed concentrations of nitrates above the level deemed safe by the US EPA. The link between high nitrate levels and several diseases is well-established; some newer studies suggest that even very low nitrate levels may heighten the risk of certain cancers. “You can’t throw a rock in the city of Boardman without finding someone who has cancer or a miscarriage,” says Lay. “The trick is there’s no straightforward test a doctor can use to connect an individual’s health condition to nitrates.” ”
“Fed up with slow fix, Oregon residents sue businesses over nitrate pollution”
More than three decades into a nitrate pollution crisis, a handful of Lower Umatilla Basin residents are escalating their concerns to the courts.
Five residents living in the Boardman, Oregon, area — Mike Pearson, Michael and Virginia Brandt, and James Patrick Suter and Silvia Suter — filed a class action lawsuit in federal court Tuesday against some of Morrow County’s largest agricultural industries, which are the main contributors to nitrates in the area’s groundwater. The defendants are Threemile Canyon Farms, Lamb Weston, Madison Ranches, Beef Northwest Feeders and the Port of Morrow.
The lawsuit aims not only to secure compensation from the companies the residents hold responsible, but also to get them to foot the costs of cleaning up the groundwater and connecting residents with clean drinking water.
Many of the plaintiffs are mainstays of the tours and community meetings that sprouted up following Morrow County’s emergency declaration in 2022. Those meetings included visits from U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and other high-ranking state and federal officials. For many residents, the increased publicity did not result in clean drinking water.
“The Port (of Morrow) and these commercial farms have placed us and hundreds of other families in an impossible position,” Pearson said in a statement. “We can’t keep living like this.”
The plaintiffs’ legal team is being led by Seattle attorney Steve Berman, a well-known attorney who helped bring cases against Big Tobacco in the 90s. In an interview, he compared nitrate pollution in the Lower Umatilla Basin to the drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan, where thousands of people were exposed to lead and other contaminants through the municipal water system.
“People couldn’t get access to drinking water and I think everyone was amazed,” he said. “Well, here it is, right here in our backyard.”
By Antonio Sierra | OPB | February 28, 2024
“More than three decades into a nitrate pollution crisis, a handful of Lower Umatilla Basin residents are escalating their concerns to the courts.
Five residents living in the Boardman, Oregon, area — Mike Pearson, Michael and Virginia Brandt, and James Patrick Suter and Silvia Suter — filed a class action lawsuit in federal court Tuesday against some of Morrow County’s largest agricultural industries, which are the main contributors to nitrates in the area’s groundwater. The defendants are Threemile Canyon Farms, Lamb Weston, Madison Ranches, Beef Northwest Feeders and the Port of Morrow.
The lawsuit aims not only to secure compensation from the companies the residents hold responsible, but also to get them to foot the costs of cleaning up the groundwater and connecting residents with clean drinking water.
Many of the plaintiffs are mainstays of the tours and community meetings that sprouted up following Morrow County’s emergency declaration in 2022. Those meetings included visits from U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and other high-ranking state and federal officials. For many residents, the increased publicity did not result in clean drinking water.
“The Port (of Morrow) and these commercial farms have placed us and hundreds of other families in an impossible position,” Pearson said in a statement. “We can’t keep living like this.”
The plaintiffs’ legal team is being led by Seattle attorney Steve Berman, a well-known attorney who helped bring cases against Big Tobacco in the 90s. In an interview, he compared nitrate pollution in the Lower Umatilla Basin to the drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan, where thousands of people were exposed to lead and other contaminants through the municipal water system.
“People couldn’t get access to drinking water and I think everyone was amazed,” he said. “Well, here it is, right here in our backyard.””
“Port of Morrow continues to apply excess nitrates on farmland, misses payment deadline”
The port is set to pay the Oregon Health Authority $2 million over the next two years through the state Department of Environmental Quality’s Supplemental Environmental Projects. It completed the first payment of $1 million on Friday, almost a month after the payment’s due date.
Oregon Public Broadcasting - By Monica Samayoa January 26, 2024
The Port of Morrow violated its wastewater permit more than 270 times during the last two months of 2023, adding to the ongoing groundwater pollution crisis in the region, and failed to make a state agency payment on time.
According to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the Port of Morrow’s annual report for 2023 shows it violated its newly modified wastewater permit 273 times in November and December.
This comes after the port reached a settlement agreement with DEQ and agreed to a $2.4 million fine. The port was fined in January 2022 for over-applying more than 200 tons of nitrogen-rich wastewater on nearby agricultural fields. The fine was later increased in June.
Under the recently settled agreement, DEQ modified the port’s permit by reducing the amount of wastewater the port can apply to nearby farmland during the non-growing season from November to February. The port is also required to add additional wastewater treatment capacity.
By Monica Samayoa | OPB | January 26, 2024
“The Port of Morrow violated its wastewater permit more than 270 times during the last two months of 2023, adding to the ongoing groundwater pollution crisis in the region, and failed to make a state agency payment on time.
According to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the Port of Morrow’s annual report for 2023 shows it violated its newly modified wastewater permit 273 times in November and December.
This comes after the port reached a settlement agreement with DEQ and agreed to a $2.4 million fine. The port was fined in January 2022 for over-applying more than 200 tons of nitrogen-rich wastewater on nearby agricultural fields. The fine was later increased in June.
Under the recently settled agreement, DEQ modified the port’s permit by reducing the amount of wastewater the port can apply to nearby farmland during the non-growing season from November to February. The port is also required to add additional wastewater treatment capacity.”
“Port of Morrow continues polluting under new state sanctioned wastewater plan”
The state says it will eventually fine the Port of Morrow for continuing to violate its wastewater permit and contaminate a drinking water aquifer
Oregon Capital Chronicle - By Alex Baumhardt - January 26, 2024 6:00 am
The Port of Morrow violated its wastewater permit more than 270 times in the last two months of 2023, overapplying nitrogen rich wastewater to fields atop an aquifer already contaminated by the compound, which is found in farm fertilizers and animal manure.
Managers at the port alerted officials at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, who expected the contamination and will eventually issue penalties, officials said. But state officials plan to wait several more months as the port likely continues to pollute. In the meantime, business as usual will continue at the state’s second largest port.
The violations follow years of pollution by the port, which has contributed to the contamination of well water that several thousand local residents rely on, including many low-income, Latino families. The environmental department essentially ignored the situation for years until issuing its first fine of $1.3 million in January 2022. That was bumped up to more than $2 million by June. An investigation by the Capital Chronicle found the port had not just violated its permit for three years, but for most of the last 15 years.
News of the latest pollution disappointed 82-year-old Gary Klinger, a resident of Boardman, where the port is located in eastern Oregon. Klinger had relied for years on his well drawing from the contaminated aquifer until he learned it contained three times the safe limit of nitrates.
“It’s sad that we have to be put through this, and we have to fight like this to have good water to drink,” he said.
By Alex Baumhardt | Oregon Capital Chronicle | January 26, 2024
“The Port of Morrow violated its wastewater permit more than 270 times in the last two months of 2023, overapplying nitrogen rich wastewater to fields atop an aquifer already contaminated by the compound, which is found in farm fertilizers and animal manure.
Managers at the port alerted officials at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, who expected the contamination and will eventually issue penalties, officials said. But state officials plan to wait several more months as the port likely continues to pollute. In the meantime, business as usual will continue at the state’s second largest port.
The violations follow years of pollution by the port, which has contributed to the contamination of well water that several thousand local residents rely on, including many low-income, Latino families. The environmental department essentially ignored the situation for years until issuing its first fine of $1.3 million in January 2022. That was bumped up to more than $2 million by June. An investigation by the Capital Chronicle found the port had not just violated its permit for three years, but for most of the last 15 years.
News of the latest pollution disappointed 82-year-old Gary Klinger, a resident of Boardman, where the port is located in eastern Oregon. Klinger had relied for years on his well drawing from the contaminated aquifer until he learned it contained three times the safe limit of nitrates.
“It’s sad that we have to be put through this, and we have to fight like this to have good water to drink,” he said.”
“From the publisher: Lawmakers' visit to Boardman a good sign”
East Oregonian - by Andrew Cutler
Surely the visit at the end of November of three Oregon lawmakers to Boardman is a good sign for the future regarding the area’s water problems but the proof, as the saying goes, will be in the pudding.
Lawmakers Annessa Hartman, Gladstone, Ricki Ruiz, Gresham, and Khanh Pham, southeast Portland, all members of the Oregon House, were in town for a tour and to meet with locals.
By Andrew Cutler | East Oregonian | December 12, 2023
“Surely the visit at the end of November of three Oregon lawmakers to Boardman is a good sign for the future regarding the area’s water problems but the proof, as the saying goes, will be in the pudding.
Lawmakers Annessa Hartman, Gladstone, Ricki Ruiz, Gresham, and Khanh Pham, southeast Portland, all members of the Oregon House, were in town for a tour and to meet with locals.
The trip was billed as an effort to find out more about the local area’s nitrate pollution problem and to address the frustration many local residents feel about the slow movement of the state government on the issue.”
*A subscription is required to read this article.
“Vigil follows burning of community organizer's pickup in Boardman - Morrow County Sheriff's Office investigating suspicious fire”
East Oregonian - By Berit Thorson - Dec. 1, 2023
BOARDMAN — After a staff member’s pickup was found in flames Monday, Nov. 27, members and supporters of Oregon Rural Action gathered at the site of the wreckage for a candlelight vigil on the side of the road.
Oregon Rural Action, a La Grande-based nonprofit organization focused on promoting clean water, air and land, has a campaign in Boardman that’s gained recent political traction after the community has dealt with high concentrations of nitrates in its well water for decades.
Nitrates often get into water from animal manure, human sewage and commercial fertilizers. Oregon Health Authority is offering eligible residents in the area free or subsidized well testing and treatment, and, if needed, water bottles.
By Berit Thorson | East Oregonian | December 1, 2023
“BOARDMAN — After a staff member’s pickup was found in flames Monday, Nov. 27, members and supporters of Oregon Rural Action gathered at the site of the wreckage for a candlelight vigil on the side of the road.
Oregon Rural Action, a La Grande-based nonprofit organization focused on promoting clean water, air and land, has a campaign in Boardman that’s gained recent political traction after the community has dealt with high concentrations of nitrates in its well water for decades.
Nitrates often get into water from animal manure, human sewage and commercial fertilizers. Oregon Health Authority is offering eligible residents in the area free or subsidized well testing and treatment, and, if needed, water bottles.”
*A subscription is required to read this article.
“‘No more dog and pony’: Portland area lawmakers hear from nitrate-affected Oregonians”
Oregon Public Broadcasting - By Antonio Sierra - Nov. 30, 2023
Members of the state Legislature’s BIPOC Caucus visited Boardman this week to hear about nitrate pollution.
It’s been more than a year since Morrow County declared an emergency over nitrate contamination in the Lower Umatilla Basin. But residents are still learning that their water is unsafe to drink.
Gloria Muñoz, 19, said she had just heard about the Boardman area’s nitrate pollution earlier that day. Her Monday night audience included three Oregon state legislators and about 30 residents whose patience in the government’s ability to clean their drinking water was quickly waning.
By Antonio Sierra | OPB | November 30, 2023
“It’s been more than a year since Morrow County declared an emergency over nitrate contamination in the Lower Umatilla Basin. But residents are still learning that their water is unsafe to drink.
Gloria Muñoz, 19, said she had just heard about the Boardman area’s nitrate pollution earlier that day. Her Monday night audience included three Oregon state legislators and about 30 residents whose patience in the government’s ability to clean their drinking water was quickly waning.
Muñoz told the crowd in Spanish that she had just moved to Boardman a month ago but had only found out about nitrate pollution the day of the meeting. She worried that the message wasn’t getting through to youth.”
“House Representatives discuss Boardman water issue”
East Oregonian - By Rick Haverinen - Nov. 29, 2023
BOARDMAN — Residents of Boardman sensed increased interest from the Oregon Legislature in the community’s water pollution issues as three members of the House of Representatives visited the city Monday, Nov. 27, for a tour and a public meeting with locals.
The officials — Annessa Hartman, Gladstone, Ricki Ruiz, Gresham, and Khanh Pham, southeast Portland, all Democrats — made the trip from Salem to sense what the nitrate pollution problem was about and the frustration locals face enduring slow government action to help.
Hartman is vice chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water.
“I found out about this issue when I first got elected as the vice chair of my committee and immediately was surprised this issue had gone on for so long,”
Hartman commented between a community tour and the following meeting at the Boardman campus of Blue Mountain Community College.
By Rick Haverinen | East Oregonain | November 29, 2023
“BOARDMAN — Residents of Boardman sensed increased interest from the Oregon Legislature in the community’s water pollution issues as three members of the House of Representatives visited the city Monday, Nov. 27, for a tour and a public meeting with locals.
The officials — Annessa Hartman, Gladstone, Ricki Ruiz, Gresham, and Khanh Pham, southeast Portland, all Democrats — made the trip from Salem to sense what the nitrate pollution problem was about and the frustration locals face enduring slow government action to help.
Hartman is vice chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water.
“I found out about this issue when I first got elected as the vice chair of my committee and immediately was surprised this issue had gone on for so long,”
Hartman commented between a community tour and the following meeting at the Boardman campus of Blue Mountain Community College.”
*A subscription is required to read this article.
“Boardman community organizer’s truck catches fire; labeled ‘suspicious’”
Oregon Public Broadcasting - By Antonio Sierra - Nov. 28, 2023
A truck belonging to an organizer against nitrate pollution in Eastern Oregon burned at a Boardman home shortly after three state legislators visited the home Monday as a part of a tour.
The Boardman Fire Rescue District considers the fire “suspicious” but closed its investigation without determining a cause. No one was injured by the fire, nor did the fire spread beyond the vehicle before firefighters extinguished it.
Oregon Rural Action, a group based out of La Grande that has been active in pushing state officials to address decades of groundwater pollution in Morrow and Umatilla counties, announced the fire in a press release Monday. The group called on local and state authorities to fully investigate the fire and protect its employees.
By Antonio Sierra | OPB | November 28, 2023
“A truck belonging to an organizer against nitrate pollution in Eastern Oregon burned at a Boardman home shortly after three state legislators visited the home Monday as a part of a tour.
The Boardman Fire Rescue District considers the fire “suspicious” but closed its investigation without determining a cause. No one was injured by the fire, nor did the fire spread beyond the vehicle before firefighters extinguished it.
Oregon Rural Action, a group based out of La Grande that has been active in pushing state officials to address decades of groundwater pollution in Morrow and Umatilla counties, announced the fire in a press release Monday. The group called on local and state authorities to fully investigate the fire and protect its employees.”