The severe wildfires plaguing Oregon this season have created additional challenges for farmers already burdened by drought. USDA assistance programs could provide some relief- here's a full list.
The report was created from Kotek's Executive Order 25-26 back in October 2025 in an effort for state agencies to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Although the report is not binding law, it does provide guidance for state agencies in how to manage public lands.
A proposed expansion of The Dalles’ water system is raising questions about data centers, salmon habitat and how much water the Mount Hood watershed can provide.
Mt Hood Community College is tearing down a dam on its campus and it will be replaced by a foot bridge. The replacement is supposed to reconnect salmon habitat and improve water quality in the area. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2030.
After more than 100 years cut off from the tides, 200 acres of the wetlands in the Suislaw Estuary are open to the ocean again. Hopefully fish and other wildlife will rebound in the area soon!
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued a $10k fine against the city of Maupin (just south of Hood River and the Dalles). It appears that they missed important monitoring and reporting requirements over the past several years. Data from an independent Maupin monitoring site on the Deschutes River found elevated pH levels in the river, one of the very things that Maupin failed to monitor properly at their wastewater treatment plant.
A tanker truck crash from 2022 along the I-84 has still not been cleaned up? The toxic chemical that was spilled called PERC poses a possible risk to groundwater, especially for nearby residents that rely on well water. But the site hasn't been remediated and residents weren't notified of possible groundwater contamination.
BPA is ending their contributions to a salmon-enhancement program called SAFE. The utility contributes $1.4 million annually out of the total $2.4 million annual budget of the fund. They will stop contributions at the end of September and other organizations that are part of SAFE, such as ODFW and Clatsop County, are not sure how they are going to maintain the program.