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Oregon port temporarily allowed to apply wastewater to fields despite drinking water concerns

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12 months ago

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Oregon port temporarily allowed to apply wastewater to fields despite drinking water concerns


FILE Gov. Tina Kotek tours Boardman with local organization Oregon Rural Action on May 3, 2023. The group stops near the Port of Morrow, where a recent leak allowed thousands of gallons of wastewater to contaminate the site.

Monica Samayoa / OPB

Oregon will allow the Port of Morrow to dump nitrate-rich wastewater on agricultural fields in the Lower Umatilla Basin through the end of February — despite a drinking water crisis linked to nitrates in the region’s groundwater.

In a statement announcing her executive order declaring a state of emergency, Gov. Tina Kotek said jobs would be at stake in the basin if the state didn’t take action.

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According to a press release, a wet winter combined with anticipated rain and freezing conditions means the port is set to exceed its current storage capacity in February. If that happens, it won’t be able to accept wastewater from food processors and other businesses in the area.

While the executive order will allow the port to disperse wastewater at a time it’s normally prohibited, it also placed limits. The port is allowed to apply wastewater only to fields at “low risk” of contaminating drinking water. The port also agreed to open new lined wastewater storage lagoons that are supposed to prevent future off-season wastewater dumping by Nov. 1, which is ahead of schedule.

“I did not make this decision lightly,” Kotek said. “We must balance protecting thousands of jobs in the region, the national food supply, and domestic well users during this short period of time during an unusually wet winter.”

For three decades, nitrates caused primarily by the agricultural industry have seeped into groundwater and put public health at risk.

“Morrow and Umatilla counties are key to our state’s agricultural production — directly and indirectly employing thousands of Oregonians and feeding not just Oregonians, but families across the globe,” she said. “My office has heard directly from producers and farmers in the Lower Umatilla Basin that pausing operations even for a short time in February would be devastating to the local economy and potentially shut down some operations permanently.”

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Groundwater is the primary drinking water source for Morrow and Umatilla County residents. Many in the area who drink out of private wells have tested four to five times higher than the federal government’s limit of 10 milligrams of nitrates per liter, which can cause serious health effects.

Port of Morrow's East Beach Facility in Boardman, Oregon on April 15, 2022.

Port of Morrow’s East Beach Facility in Boardman, Oregon on April 15, 2022.

Monica Samayoa / OPB

Although studies have shown that the port directly contributed only a small fraction of the region’s groundwater nitrate contamination, the state has fined the industrial hub at least $3.1 million in penalties for violating its permit with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

The port eventually committed to invest $500 million to upgrade its wastewater system by the end of 2025 but continued to rack up fines in the meantime. DEQ also modified the port’s permit, limiting wastewater application on agricultural fields during the winter months.

During Kotek’s first visit to the region in May 2023, she stopped short of declaring a public health emergency in the Lower Umatilla Basin, citing she was focused on meeting community needs and making sure resources, like well testing and water deliveries, were available.

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At the time, she said she wasn’t given enough information that declaring a public health emergency would “change anything we’re doing.”

For the past three years, local environmental justice organizations and residents have pushed the state, as well as city and county leaders, to do more to address this decades-long issue. Many residents rely on private wells for water, and most those wells are not monitored by the state.

Recently, three state agencies — the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Oregon Water Resources Department and the Oregon Health Authority — released a multi-year Nitrate Reduction Plan that outlines short-, medium- and long-term goals on how each agency will work to lower nitrate levels in Eastern Oregon.



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Oregon

J.D. PicKell explains why Oregon-Indiana Peach Bowl rematch is perfect for Dan Lanning

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7 hours ago

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January 4, 2026

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J.D. PicKell explains why Oregon-Indiana Peach Bowl rematch is perfect for Dan Lanning


J.D. PicKell explains why Oregon-Indiana Peach Bowl rematch is perfect for Dan Lanning originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Oregon Ducks’ 23-0 Orange Bowl win against the Texas Tech Red Raiders was the eventual planted seed for the soon-to-be Peach Bowl next Friday, as they will rematch the Indiana Hoosiers for a chance to go to the national title game in Miami.

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Despite losing to the Hoosiers during the regular season, the Ducks’ resilience has shone through since, making On3’s J.D. PicKell cautiously optimistic the Ducks could turn the tables on the No. 1-seeded Hoosiers.

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“That might be the greatest gift this football team could have had, in the context of this season,” PicKell said. “That loss, I think, was a big reason why you’ve seen Oregon grow and progress the way they have in this College Football Playoff.”

PicKell said Oregon’s ability to “grow” has been apparent this postseason so far.

“Very different from last year’s team, when it comes to the way they’re evolving, the kind of ball they’re playing right now in the second round of the College Football Playoff,” PicKell said. “I think a lot of Oregon’s growth, you’ve got to give credit to some of the scars they have over the course of this season.”

We’ll see if PicKell’s words hold true, but it seems the Ducks have a shot to make the postseason even more interesting.

Come next Friday, we’ll find out.

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Oregon Lottery Pick 4 results for Dec. 28

Published

6 days ago

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December 29, 2025

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The Oregon Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 28, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 28 drawing

1PM: 0-2-6-1

4PM: 0-2-4-1

7PM: 4-3-9-2

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10PM: 6-3-9-2

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Oregon Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 7:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 7:59 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 4: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
  • Win for Life: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Megabucks: 7:29 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

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Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Oregon editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Why Tosh Lupoi sees a silver lining in Oregon’s poor defensive performance against James Madison

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7 days ago

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December 28, 2025

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Why Tosh Lupoi sees a silver lining in Oregon’s poor defensive performance against James Madison


EUGENE — It’s easier to get a message across about effort, tenacity and finishing when the most recent result is an affront to those attributes.

Oregon’s defensive effort in its win over No. 12 seed James Madison, particularly in the second half, was “unacceptable” to defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi. He’s found the silver lining in the third straight postseason performance allowing 34-plus points and 500-plus yards though, calling it “the best thing that could ever happen” as the No. 5 Ducks prepare to face No. 4 Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl.

“I think it’s another reminder of this is the best of the best, these teams. If you go to sleep for one down, one quarter, one half, they’re going to make you pay,” Lupoi said. “It makes it easier when the players see (themselves) not performing to the standard in that second half.”

JMU scored 28 points and averaged 8.4 yards per play in the second half. Though Oregon backups and third-teamers were in for some plays, starters were back in for the final 99-yard touchdown drive.

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Five of JMU’s seven passes of 20-plus yards and a 49-yard run also came during the second half. Oregon allowed just 20 passes of 20 or more yards in its first 12 games.

“There’s things that we can definitely attack that we can do better,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “The biggest piece is getting off the field. We had some sustained drives in that game and we gave up more explosive plays in that game than we have in the past.”

Those are particularly critical areas against Texas Tech (12-1). The Red Raiders have one of the most explosive offenses in the country, trailing only the Ducks in passes of 20-plus yards, and rank 11th nationally on third down.

Linebacker Bryce Boettcher felt the defense responded well at practice in the week since the first round win.

“Practice has been physical with a lot of energy before Christmas and now we’re getting back to it right after Christmas,” Boettcher said. “I’ve been impressed with the way everyone’s responded.”

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No. 4 Texas Tech (12-1) vs. No. 5 Oregon (12-1)

  • When: Thursday, January 1
  • Time: 9 a.m. PT
  • Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
  • TV: ESPN
  • Stream: You can watch this game on DIRECTV (free trial) or with Sling (a Sling day pass to watch this game and more is just $4.99). Streaming broadcasts for this game will be available on these streaming services locally in Oregon and Washington, but may not be available outside of the Pacific Northwest, depending on your location.



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