Baker County welcomes extension of DEQ comment period on water quality plan
By Joe Hathaway on Tuesday, February 13th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER COUNTY – A Baker County official is expressing enthusiasm for the recent extension of the public comment period by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) regarding the proposed permanent changes to the Powder River Basin Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for bacteria.
“I am absolutely ecstatic that DEQ extended the comment period. It gives the County and the third parties time to do a more extensive investigation into the presented data. The County will submit a substantive comment prior to the March 8th deadline.” said Doni Bruland, Natural Resources Coordinator for Baker County.
The DEQ aims to reduce bacteria in Powder River Basin streams, covering Baker County and parts of Union, Wallowa, Grant, and Malheur counties. According to the agency’s website, primary bacterial pathways include erosion, pasture runoff, livestock manure deposition, and sediment transport. Per the DEQ, it attributes approximately 90% of the total permissible bacteria load in the basin to ranching and farming activities.
Bruland raises concerns about potential adverse effects on the local agricultural community, criticizing the use of what she says is outdated data by the DEQ. She calls for DNA analysis to identify additional contributors to the E. coli issue, beyond livestock.
“It’s truly difficult to believe that livestock are the only contributors to the E. coli bacteria issue,” said Bruland. “Anyone who has lived in Baker County knows that we are blessed with abundant wildlife and waterfowl, which also contribute to the problem. DNA analysis will clear up this question.”
Some sections of stream would require reductions in bacterial load of 40% to 95% to meet water quality standards, according to the draft TMDL for the Powder River basin.
One unresolved issue, according to Bruland, is the lack of response from the DEQ regarding the County’s questions about data collection, particularly concerning flow at the collection sites. She underscored the pressing question of what happens when agricultural producers have exhausted all efforts to meet standards without success.
“Especially of interest is the question of ‘what happens when the ag producers have done everything possible, and the standards are still not being met?” said Bruland. “It’s pretty obvious that if implementing all of the approved projects does not help, the next step is to remove the livestock.”
“The only statement we’ve heard from DEQ is that it’s going to take decades to show any improvement, so it won’t affect the current ag stakeholders. For those of us in the ag realm, the idea of passing this off to our grandchildren is abhorrent. Ag is the lifeblood of our community,” remarked Bruland.
Elkhorn Media Group has reached out to the Oregon DEQ for comment.
Bruland also pointed to the significant turnout at public forums as evidence that residents are deeply invested in the issue, emphasizing the impact on local customs and culture.
“Residents are all riled up. After all, it’s our customs and culture that are at stake here.”
For those interested in commenting on the Powder River TMDL, please click here.
