Editor’s Note: The following article is a section of the Oregon State Board of Agriculture’s quarterly newsletter. The newsletter reviewed what was discussed at the Board’s last meeting which was held May 19, 2021.
SALEM, Ore. — Long-term agriculture water supply planning is important to Oregon agriculture because a large percentage of Oregon’s value of agriculture production comes from irrigated lands.
Irrigated agricultural lands have a higher value per acre, and the value of the production is much higher than on non-irrigated lands. About 43% of all farms in Oregon use irrigation, but irrigated farmlands account for about 78% of the total market value of agricultural products sold in Oregon. Agriculture is the largest consumer of water withdrawn in our state, and about 78% of the water drawn from surface or groundwater sources is used for irrigation.
To discuss this important topic, a panel of natural resource agency personnel, agricultural stakeholders, and conservation stakeholders came together to review and discuss with the board the existing agricultural water supply planning tools, including reservations and place-based planning tools and the benefits and limitations of these tools. Panelists also shared perspectives on practical tools and processes for water supply planning for agriculture in the future.
The Board of Agriculture has two active resolutions related to water supply planning. Resolution 029 recommends the reservation of water in the Columbia River for irrigation and future agricultural needs. In addition, Resolution 107 urges that agriculture be considered equally in water resources planning efforts in the state and recommends continued use of reservations to ensure that agricultural needs are accounted for as the state develops new instream water rights applications.
— Oregon State Board of Agriculture, Oregon Department of Agriculture
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