River Rights On Trial
Does a river have a right to defend itself in court? That is what a judge will decide today in Lincoln County. A ballot measure banning the spray of aerial pesticides is the central focus of this case. Lincoln county residents approved the measure last May. And now several farms say it is hurting their ability to grow. Carol Van Strum was in court as the Siletz River Advocate when the motion to intervene was originally filed.
“That’s why I call it the Lorax issue. Somebody has to speak for the trees, the rivers, the fish, the birds, everything that’s out there – because no one else is going to.”
A similar measure will appear on the ballot in Lane County in November. Supporters of the measure say that large chemical sprays are putting chemicals in the rivers and streams and eventually end up in the drinking water. Van Strum has been compiling legal cases from the last 40 years that outline the battle for natures’s rights
“It sounds like a novel idea, but it’s not. It’s a matter of the courts catching up to the last 50 years of reality, and they’re going to have to do it eventually. Other countries have.”
Over the past year, high courts in New Zealand, India, and Colombia have recognized the rights of rivers. Ecuador’s constitution has recognized the rights of nature since 2008
Quake Off Coast Of Yachats
A small earthquake has hit off the coast of Oregon on Sunday. At 4:42 pm the U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude 3.3 earthquake struck. It’s epicenter was about 245 miles west of Yachats. The earthquake did not affect the mainland according to local reports.
Wellness Fair This Friday
This Friday at Three Rivers Casino and Resort is the 8th annual wellness fair. The event will include cooking demonstrations and a Chef’s competition. Food and Beverage Director, Gary Gortz, says it’s all about healthy choices and locally sourced items
“We’ll have some produce people there with a lot of healthy produce and samples of healthy salads from local growers and things like that.”
The event will go from 10 to 3 on Friday and they will also be collecting food for the Food Share and you can support your favorite football team by choosing to leave your food donations in either the Duck table or the Beaver table.
