A rally and press conference this morning on the steps of the Oregon Capitol in Salem called attention to a key component of the proposed Nestle water bottling plant in Cascade Locks.
As reported in yesterday’s KBOO News, despite a new law passed by ballot initiative in Hood River County banning such a facility, it is moving forward in the state bureaucracy
The key component is a water exchange that would, if approved, free up pristine water from Oxbow Spring for use by Nestle.
The proposal is on track at the State Water Resources Department for a decision in the next few months.
The Salem rally was also in support of Native activist Anna Mae Leonard, who is on a five-day food and water fast against Nestle.
Organizers with Food and Water Watch and the Local Water Alliance called on reporters and citizens to ask Governor Kate Brown to stop the water exchange and respect the will of Hood River County voters.
Also at the rally was Yakama Nation Tribal Chairman JoDe Goudy, recently back from an official visit to Standing Rock, North Dakota in opposition to the Dakota Access pipeline.
In order of speaking:
Julia DeGraw, NW Organizer Food & Water Watch
Aurora Del Val, Cascade Locks Resident and member of the Local Water Alliance
JoDe Goudy, Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Indian Nation Tribal Chairman
Anna Mae Leonard
Press interview with JoDe Goudy
- KBOO