PRINEVILLE, OR -- U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) visits Prineville Sunday. He’ll meet with people impacted by groundwater contamination.
Merkley says he first heard about the issue at a Crook County town hall last year, "Residents brought their stories and samples of water and pictures of their plumbing to say, ‘something’s going terribly wrong here.’ And they’d already done some tests and identified the prime suspect as manganese pollution. And they were experiencing rashes, gastrointestinal problems and livestock issues with stillbirths." Merkley tells KBND News, "Of course, they’re very concerned about the health of their livestock. But even more importantly, obviously, the health of their families. And this appearance of these problems comes a year after increased activity, local gravel mining by Knife River."
The Oregon Democrat says he’ll tour impacted properties this weekend, "It was one thing to see pictures a year ago, it’s another to visit homes. I’m going to meet with a whole group of homeowners who are affected."
Crook County officials and the Oregon Health Authority hosted a Domestic Well Safety Open House last week, along with the Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon Department of Agriculture, to hear concerns and share information.
Merkley acknowledges private wells and groundwater aren’t regulated by the federal government, "They’re not even regulated really by the state," he tells says, "But what is regulated by the state is mining. And so, it’s important for the state to test all of these homes, develop a compilation of ‘how bad is it where?’ And, bring in their teams to understand the source. If it is indeed the gravel mine, then there’s a way to solve that problem." Merkley says he’ll keep talking about it, "To keep amplifying the issue." He adds, "The state needs to move quickly to address this issue of significant health risk for Oregon citizens."
The Senator also hosts a town hall, open to everyone, Sunday. It will be held inside Crook County Middle School’s Library, from noon to 1 p.m.
