Oregon has designated the Chehalem Mountain area as a “limited aquifer” due to amount of groundwater available. Irrigation of any lawn or noncommercial garden is limited to ½ acre or less. Exempt uses of groundwater limit single or group domestic uses up to 15,000 gallons per day. The marijuana/hemp processing/extraction refinery has previously applied for ground water rights, which could grant them access to millions of gallons per year.
Water Supply Issues
If this business irrigates the proposed amount of marijuana/hemp plants, the aquifer could be depleted.
This does not include or account for additional water that may be needed for processing the plants/products, or personal use by humans on site. It has been estimated by hydrogeologists that within a year, neighboring wells could start to go dry.
Neighbor Laura Cochran hired two hydro-geology firms. Both concurred that if this operation irrigates their crops from our aquifer, within 1-5 years it will deplete the water from our aquifer. Residents in a vast area could be affected, not just the ones closest to the property in question. Once the water is gone, it cannot replenish itself at a rate to provide for all the residences, which could affect property value. The LLC status of the property owners may protect them from liability associated with water use.
If you’re interested in learning more about water requirements for various Agribusinesses in Oregon, download our short document on the matter by clicking the button below.
Digging deeper wells will not alleviate the problem.
The owners of 18505 Jaquith (WAG Holdings, LLC, JCB Farms, LLC, and OreTex Farms, LLC) have applied to OWRD (Oregon Water Resources Department) for an irrigation permit. The OWRD Water Well Owners Handbook cautions applicants: Before spending money on a planned well, you should consult OWRD to confirm Oregon water law allows the proposed use of water.
This is a business model that can’t be sustained by the natural resources associated with the property it is located on. The property owners believe this is not a cause for denial of the water permits. They are reported to be growing greater than 6,000 marijuana plants using water recycling, rain water collection and purchased water for their indoor operation. But they are still asking for an irrigation well to water 20 acres of hemp plants which have the same high water demands. We are concerned that they will not follow through with this plan once the well is approved as it is costly and inconvenient, and compliance may not be monitored.
How Can You Help?
Take action today to help save our beloved Chehalem Mountain’s water supply. Volunteer your time, or help us with a donation by clicking the link below.