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Crook Co. Drought Prompts Juniper Biomass Proposal

PRINEVILLE, OR -- Crook County remains the only place in the western U.S. under an Exceptional Drought designation, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and county leaders have again asked for a state drought declaration.

Crook County Judge Seth Crawford says he has a new idea to recharge local reservoirs. "One of the things that’s really hurting the amount of water in the reservoirs is the juniper trees," he tells KBND News. Junipers can each consume up to 30 gallons of water a day, pulling from streams and other sources. Crawford believes those trees would be better used producing green energy, "Put in a biomass plant, monetize some of those resources, like the juniper trees to be cut down, putting more water in the system."

He says he recently took his idea to the Governor; although, more studies are needed before it can move forward, "Then we can go to different industries and municipalities and sell this as green energy to them. And so, we’re about $2 million short on that. And that’s what the ask for the Governor was. That was part of our drought declaration, as well, because I know the Legislature is working on funding four droughts throughout eastern Oregon." 

Crawford acknowledges it's a unique idea but believes a novel approach is necessary, "This is an opportunity to not only work on wildfire and a lot of those things, but to recharge the system and put more water back into it. Once we get those dollars, and once we have that plan, we do have the private sector ready to build the facilities and move forward; once we have the general idea of the cost and we have someone on board to purchase that power." He adds, "You’re going to be helping everybody. You’re helping the farmers, the fish, the recreator, you’re adding more water to the equation."


 

file photo, courtesy National Park Service

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