Oregon Governor Candidates Tackle State Water Issues

Oregon’s two gubernatorial candidates tackled water issues in Eastern Oregon during a debate last week.

Incumbent Kate Brown said she is working on a budget that will give more money to the necessary departments.

“The Oregon Water Resources Department needs additional data. They need additional research and they need additional tools for monitoring and enforcement.”

Brown said her goal is to make sure there is enough for the current generation of farmers and ranchers as well as the next.

Challenger Bud Pierce said there are other areas dealing with the same challenge that have used progressive methods to insure supply.

“We need to use science. We need to keep our wits about us and be frugal with its use and recharge it where we can.”

Pierce noted that there are some areas of California catching mountain runoff and using different aquifers to store clean water and move it to areas in need.

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