Flowing Forward: Spotlighting Progress in the LUBGWMA

When it comes to water issues in the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area (LUBGWMA), measuring success and improvement can be difficult to understand for many folks. The confluence of agencies, state and local government, community groups, and farmers and businesses all working on various forms of solutions to ultimately reduce nitrates in the Basin can be overwhelming. Adding to this confusion is the contrarian narrative from groups who benefit from only focusing on the negative. These groups are leading the public to believe that not only is nothing being done, but we are going back in time. This approach often discounts or completely overlooks the actual positive steps and progress being made in the LUBGWMA.

This is why we are launching our new blog series Flowing Forward, which aims to provide a closer and more digestible look, along with expert commentary, on specific areas of progress being made throughout the Basin. Simply put, we are highlighting ongoing progress because this is a story that deserves to be told. Farmers and food processors have come a long way in the last several decades, utilizing innovative technology and sustainable practices that do not have the same environmental impact as those of previous generations. Tools like soil monitoring and the ability to measure what goes into the ground down to the drop, as well as larger efforts around things like aquifer recharge and industrial symbiosis, have allowed our region to make enormous strides that do actually lead to improved water quality in the long-term.

For each installment of Flowing Forward, you can expect a transparent and honest analysis of key pieces of the Nitrate Reduction Plan, clean drinking water infrastructure projects, and community outreach efforts that looks at science and facts over ideological claims based on little more than fear tactics. We look forward to keeping this conversation effort and putting the spotlight on the positive, proactive work being done throughout the Basin.   

Want to take a deeper dive into progress being made in the short and long-term? Visit our progress page.