Document text
1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Other Views: Marijuana businesses need banking service ... Crescent fire closes Crater Lake's north entrance ... Quake risk means LNG plant is a bad idea ... Other Views: Marijuana businesses need banking service ... Crescent fire closes Crater Lake's north entrance ... Quake risk means LNG plant is a bad idea ... OUR VIEW Our View: Water curtailment efforts not just for show Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Jul. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Gov. Kate Brown has ordered state agencies to start now to reduce their water consumption, with the goal of a 15 percent reduction by 2020. This is not an academic exercise. Oregon has fared better than California in this drought-plagued summer, but we are not immune. Medford residents may have a false sense of complacency because of the prolific Big Butte Springs watershed, but that is no excuse for wasting what is an increasingly precious resource. The signs are all around us, and they should serve as a warning: The town of Oakridge, on Highway 58 southeast of Eugene, is implementing mandatory water curtailment measures starting next week because the town's primary well is 23 feet below its normal level. The Army Corps of Engineers has announced it will draw down Lost Creek Lake below the level of the boat ramp at Stewart State Park by the end of next week, a month earlier than normal, to keep water in the Rogue River for migrating fish. Additional planned releases will drop the lake to levels not seen since 2001. A map on the Oregon Water Resources Department website showing the Oregon counties where drought emergencies have been declared indicates only the northwest corner of the state and far northeastern Wallowa County remain undeclared, and even that could change depending on how long it takes for fall rains to begin. The National Weather Service is predicting one of the strongest El Niño events in the past 60 years this coming winter, which could bring above-normal precipitation to the West Coast, but there is no guarantee. It's also possible California could see major relief from its four-year drought while Oregon suffers through another drier-than-normal winter. Or, Oregon could get heavy rains but little or no mountain snowpack. In the meantime, it's up to all of us to use water wisely. Just because the Medford Water Commission supply is still ample is no reason to let the faucet run longer than necessary or to water the street along with your lawn.     MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501