Bill aims to cut amount of water livestock can drink
By Terry Murry on Monday, March 22nd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
ECHO – State Rep. Bobby Levy (R-Echo) says she’s not alone in waiting to see if there’s action on Senate Bill 387. Ranchers, farmers, and agricultural organizations are worried about the proposal that would limit how much natural standing water livestock can drink. The chief sponsor is Sen. Michael Dembrow (D-Portland).
“He’s pulling out agricultural livestock uses to limit the ability to use more than 5,000 gallons of water per day,” she said. “What Sen. Dembrow fails to recognize is that 5,000 gallons of water can barely hydrate 500 head of cattle on a daily basis, if that.”
Livestock had been mentioned specifically as being exempt from the 5,000 gallons-a-day limit. This measure would end that exemption. At last check, no public hearings had been scheduled on the bill, which is also sponsored by Sen. Chris Gorsek (D-Troutdale).
“It’s on the radar of all of the ag lobbyists as well as other ag people so we’re pushing for it to not have a hearing,” Levy said.
