|
News Release
For release: October 6, 2003 Contacts: DEQ Schedules Public Meetings and Hearings for Groundwater Management Area in Southern Willamette Valley; Free and Anonymous Nitrate testing available Informational Meetings Will Precede Hearings at All Seven Sites; Comments due December 1, 2003 The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) invites comments at a series of public hearings for a proposed Groundwater Management Area for the Southern Willamette Valley. A Groundwater Management Area is being proposed due to high levels of nitrate found in the groundwater.A general meeting will be held first at each location. They will begin at the indicated start times. The formal hearings will begin one hour later. Those who would like to have a free nitrate screening of their well water (provided by OSU Extension Service) should bring a sample to the meetings, and their results will be ready generally within an hour. All results are anonymous. Seven meetings and hearings will be held in the area, as follows: October 22, 7 p.m., Greenberry Grange*, corner of Hwy 99 W and Greenberry October 23, 2 p.m., Public Service Bldg, 530 NW 27th, Corvallis October 23, 7 p.m., Tangent Farm Service Agency; 33630 McFarland Rd, Tangent October 28, 2 p.m., Harrisburg Town Hall, 354 Smith Street, Harrisburg October 29, 7 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers, 680 Greenwood, Junction City October 30, 2 p.m. Coburg Municipal Court, 32694 East Pearl Street, Coburg October 30, 7 p.m., Corvallis Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave, Corvallis * The Greenberry Grange has a handicapped-accessible meeting room, but the restrooms are not handicapped-accessible. DEQ has completed two groundwater studies examining the levels of nitrate contamination. The studies document widespread nitrate contamination at levels that raise concerns about drinking water safety. High levels of nitrate in drinking water can cause health impacts, and infants may be most at risk. Nitrate comes from various sources and can soak through the soil into the groundwater. Possible sources of contamination include fertilizers, animal wastes and septic systems. The proposed Groundwater Management Area (GWMA) is in the Willamette Valley between Corvallis and Eugene. The boundaries include Highway 99 W to the west, Muddy Creek to the East, and include the communities of Coburg, Junction City and Harrisburg. The exact boundaries can be found in the 2003 Southern Willamette Valley Groundwater Summary report, which can be reviewed at DEQ’s Eugene Office, 1102 Lincoln Street, Suite 210. The documents are also available at the following web site. http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/groundwa/Upperwillbasin.htm For more information, contact Audrey Eldridge (541) 776-6010, ext. 223 or toll free at 877-823-3216, ext. 223, or by email at eldridge.audrey@deq.state.or.us. |
| |
|
|