Patti Adair: The Piping Project Was A “Crucial” Initiative To Ensure Farmers Had Enough Water For Their Crops And Was Supported By Bentz And Central Oregon Farmers

Congressman Bentz Was A Strong Supporter Of The Project, And Said He Disagreed With Adair And Was “Sorry That She Reversed Her Position On This”

Bentz Said The Arnold Project Was An “Integral Part” Of Efforts To Modernize The Water Distribution Network For The Deschutes Basin. “In a call with the Bulletin, Bentz said he was not convinced by the points made by Adair. ‘I feel badly for the folks whose backyards and vistas are going to be changed by virtue of this necessary improvement to the water distribution system. I don't want to sound callous because I feel badly for them,’ said Bentz. ‘But here is the deal, I disagree with the commissioner. I am sorry that she reversed her position on this. I have supported this for a long time.’ Bentz said the Arnold project is part of a wider attempt to modernize the water distribution network for the Deschutes Basin, and called it ‘an integral part’ of that effort. ‘If you lose one part of it you are in danger of losing it all and that would be a horrible result for your entire basin,’ said Bentz. ‘It would be fatal for ag if we don't get this pipeline put in and a huge, huge, huge part of the Deschutes Basin economy is driven by some of the incredibly valuable crops that you guys raise over there.’” [Bend Bulletin, 5/21/23]

Bentz: “It Would Be Fatal For Ag If We Don't Get This Pipeline Put In And A Huge, Huge, Huge Part Of The Deschutes Basin Economy Is Driven By Some Of The Incredibly Valuable Crops That You Guys Raise Over There.” “In a call with the Bulletin, Bentz said he was not convinced by the points made by Adair. ‘I feel badly for the folks whose backyards and vistas are going to be changed by virtue of this necessary improvement to the water distribution system. I don't want to sound callous because I feel badly for them,’ said Bentz. ‘But here is the deal, I disagree with the commissioner. I am sorry that she reversed her position on this. I have supported this for a long time.’ Bentz said the Arnold project is part of a wider attempt to modernize the water distribution network for the Deschutes Basin, and called it ‘an integral part’ of that effort. ‘If you lose one part of it you are in danger of losing it all and that would be a horrible result for your entire basin,’ said Bentz. ‘It would be fatal for ag if we don't get this pipeline put in and a huge, huge, huge part of the Deschutes Basin economy is driven by some of the incredibly valuable crops that you guys raise over there.’” [Bend Bulletin, 5/21/23]

Bentz Said Supported The Project And Said “I Disagree With The Commissioner. I Am Sorry That She Reversed Her Position On This. I Have Supported This For A Long Time.” “In a call with the Bulletin, Bentz said he was not convinced by the points made by Adair. ‘I feel badly for the folks whose backyards and vistas are going to be changed by virtue of this necessary improvement to the water distribution system. I don't want to sound callous because I feel badly for them,’ said Bentz. ‘But here is the deal, I disagree with the commissioner. I am sorry that she reversed her position on this. I have supported this for a long time.’ Bentz said the Arnold project is part of a wider attempt to modernize the water distribution network for the Deschutes Basin, and called it ‘an integral part’ of that effort. ‘If you lose one part of it you are in danger of losing it all and that would be a horrible result for your entire basin,’ said Bentz. ‘It would be fatal for ag if we don't get this pipeline put in and a huge, huge, huge part of the Deschutes Basin economy is driven by some of the incredibly valuable crops that you guys raise over there.’” [Bend Bulletin, 5/21/23]

Central Oregon Farmers Said The Piping Project Was A “Crucial Initiative” Addressing The Water Needs Of The Agricultural Community And Necessary For Their Industry To “Remain Relevant”

Mike Hayes Column: The Piping Project Was A “Crucial Initiative Addressing The Water Needs Of Our Agricultural Community And Safeguarding Our Valuable Resources.” “Initially, Adair showed support for converting the open canal to a closed pipe- a project aimed at conserving water, increasing summer allotments for farmers, and bolstering the water level of the Deschutes River in winter. It was a crucial initiative addressing the water needs of our agricultural community and safeguarding our valuable resources. However, Adair's sudden reversal and opposition to the project raise serious doubts about her commitment to the county's well-being. Citing concerns about project costs and its impact on properties near the canal, Adair disregards the greater goal of water conservation and its long-term benefits for our agricultural sector. Adair's argument, emphasizing the project's cost over water savings, is shortsighted in the face of a historic drought. Every drop of water counts, and it is disheartening to see a county commissioner prioritize the potential impact on property values over securing a reliable water supply for our farms.” [Mike Hayes Guest Column, Deschutes River Conservancy, 5/24/23]

• Hayes Described Himself As “A Community Member And Steward Of The Land” And Said His Family Had Been Farming Their Land For More Than Fifty Years. “Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair's recent actions have raised concerns about her commitment to the stewardship of our county. Her flip-flopping decision on the Arnold Irrigation District's water conservation project exposes questionable priorities and

political motivations. As a community member and steward of the land, I have personally witnessed the importance of efficient water delivery for our farms. In 2018, we experienced the loss of our property canal and the installation of irrigation piping - a decision driven by the realization that feeding the farm held far greater value than any appeal the canal might have had, so we paid for it as stewards of the land. With over 50 years of experience, my family understands the significance of cleaner and more reliable water sources for sustaining our agricultural practices.” [Mike Hayes Guest Column, Deschutes River Conservancy, 5/24/23]

May 2024: Madras Farmer Phil Fine Said Piping Was Critical For Central Oregon Farmers To “Remain Relevant.” “With the lack of water in the basin and junior water holders, there's not a whole lot you can do in the immediate time frame,’ said Madras farmer Phil Fine. Fine is a patron of the North Unit Irrigation District, which is now partnering with the Central Oregon Irrigation District and the Deschutes River Conservancy, which Fine serves as a board member, to generate support for piping water to farmers. ‘That whole plan hinges on piping up canals. And if we don't pipe the canals because of the water volume that's required by the North Unit, we'll have a hard time remaining relevant,’ Fine said. Craig Horrell is the managing director for the Central Oregon Irrigation District. ‘The canals in Bend were meant to transfer water for irrigated ag. And right now, they're losing anywhere from 30% to 50% of water,’ Horrell said Monday.” [KTVZ, 5/14/24]

Central Oregon Farmers And Their Advocates Emphasized Their Support Of The Initiative, Which They Said Was Especially Critical Due To The Impact Of Drought On Their Crops

May 2024: Irrigation Piping Was Critical In Deschutes County, As More Than 40% Of The County Was Effected By Drought. “For years, dry conditions have impacted Central Oregon farmers. According to drought.gov, more than 40% of Deschutes County is still affected by drought. Nearly 90% of Jefferson County is abnormally dry. Fine has felt the effects. Half of his land has had to be fallowed, or dried out and not planted, to ensure he has enough water for the rest. ‘And so moving forward, it just compounds, because every year we're farming less and less,’ he said. Horrell said: ‘We have endangered species. We have farmers that are in need, and we have a source that we know where we can find water.’” [KTVZ, 5/14/24]

May 2024: KTVZ: Fine Said That Due To Drought, Half Of His Land Has Had To Be Fallowed, Or Dried Out And Not Planted, To Ensure He Has Enough Water For The Rest. “For years, dry conditions have impacted Central Oregon farmers. According to drought.gov, more than 40% of Deschutes County is still affected by drought. Nearly 90% of Jefferson County is abnormally dry. Fine has felt the effects. Half of his land has had to be fallowed, or dried out and not planted, to ensure he has enough water for the rest. ‘And so moving forward, it just compounds, because every year we're farming less and less,’ he said. Horrell said: ‘We have endangered species. We have farmers that are in need, and we have a source that we know where we can find water.’” [KTVZ, 5/14/24]

• Fine: “And So Moving Forward, It Just Compounds, Because Every Year We're Farming Less And Less.” “For years, dry conditions have impacted Central Oregon farmers. According to drought.gov, more than 40% of Deschutes County is still affected by drought. Nearly 90% of Jefferson County is abnormally dry. Fine has felt the effects. Half of his land has had to be fallowed, or dried out and not planted, to ensure he has enough water for the rest. ‘And so moving forward, it just compounds, because every year we're farming less and less,’ he said. Horrell said: ‘We have endangered species. We have farmers that are in need, and we have a source that we know where we can find water.’” [KTVZ, 5/14/24]

Craig Horrell, Managing Director For The Central Oregon Irrigation District: “We Have Farmers That Are In Need, And We Have A Source That We Know Where We Can Find Water.” “For years, dry conditions have impacted Central Oregon farmers. According to drought.gov, more than 40% of Deschutes County is still affected by drought. Nearly 90% of Jefferson County is abnormally dry. Fine has felt the effects. Half of his land has had to be fallowed, or dried out and not planted, to ensure he has enough water for the rest. ‘And so moving forward, it just compounds, because every year we're farming less and less,’ he said. Horrell said: ‘We have endangered species. We have farmers that are in need, and we have a source that we know where we can find water.’” [KTVZ, 5/14/24]

Central Oregon Farmer Mike Hayes: “It Is Disheartening To See A County Commissioner Prioritize The Potential Impact On Property Values Over Securing A Reliable Water Supply For Our Farms”

Mike Hayes Column: “It Is Disheartening To See A County Commissioner Prioritize The Potential Impact On Property Values Over Securing A Reliable Water Supply For Our Farms.” “Initially, Adair showed support for converting the open canal to a closed pipe- a project aimed at conserving water, increasing summer allotments for farmers, and bolstering the water level of the Deschutes River in winter. It was a crucial initiative addressing the water needs of our agricultural community and safeguarding our valuable resources. However, Adair's sudden reversal and opposition to the project raise serious doubts about her commitment to the county's well-being. Citing concerns about project costs and its impact on properties near the canal, Adair disregards the greater goal of water conservation and its long-term benefits for our agricultural sector. Adair's argument, emphasizing the project's cost over water savings, is shortsighted in the face of a historic drought. Every drop of water counts, and it is disheartening to see a county commissioner prioritize the potential impact on property values over securing a reliable water supply for our farms.” [Mike Hayes Guest Column, Deschutes River Conservancy, 5/24/23]

Mike Hayes Column: “Adair's Sudden Reversal And Opposition To The Project Raise Serious Doubts About Her Commitment To The County's Well-Being.” “Initially, Adair showed support for converting the open canal to a closed pipe- a project aimed at conserving water, increasing summer allotments for farmers, and bolstering the water level of the Deschutes River in winter. It was a crucial initiative addressing the water needs of our agricultural community and safeguarding our valuable resources. However, Adair's sudden reversal and opposition to the project raise serious doubts about her commitment to the county's well-being. Citing concerns about project costs and its impact on properties near the canal, Adair disregards the greater goal of water conservation and its long-term benefits for our agricultural sector. Adair's argument, emphasizing the project's cost over water savings, is shortsighted in the face of a historic drought. Every drop of water counts, and it is disheartening to see a county commissioner prioritize the potential impact on property values over securing a reliable water supply for our farms.” [Mike Hayes Guest Column, Deschutes River Conservancy, 5/24/23]