Ed Diehl — Water & Agricultural Pledge
Policy Pledge

Umatilla / Mid-Columbia
Water & Agricultural Pledge

Restoring certainty, local control, and long-term water security for one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world.

The Opportunity

World-Class Agriculture

Eastern Oregon's Columbia River corridor is an economic powerhouse. Local leadership has already proven it can solve the region's toughest water challenges.

Eastern Oregon, especially the 51-mile stretch of the Columbia River between Willow Creek and the Wallula Gap, is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world.

$2B+
Annual Economic Output
0.3%
Oregon's Share of
Columbia River Use
51 mi
Critical River
Corridor

This region has driven a significant share of Oregon's recent GDP growth, supporting a highly efficient, value-added agricultural economy that feeds the country and the world.

Local farmers, landowners, and communities have already built the solutions.
  • Developed solutions to groundwater decline and water quality issues
  • Begun recovering aquifers
  • Built plans balancing agriculture, water supply, and fish habitat
  • Proven local leadership can solve complex water challenges
The Problem

State Leadership Has Held the Region Back

A decade of shifting rules, regulatory overreach, and ignored local expertise has driven away investment and increased risk for Oregon farmers.

Over the past decade, state leadership has failed Eastern Oregon's agricultural communities at every turn.

  • Agencies restricted critical water management tools
  • Regulatory uncertainty discouraged investment
  • Outside activist pressure overrode local decisions
  • Rules and interpretations constantly changed

At the same time, Oregon uses just 0.3% of the Columbia River. No clear statewide water strategy exists. Policy is too often based on weak or untested science.

Result
  • Less certainty
  • Less investment
  • Greater risk for farmers
A Governor's Commitment

My Pledge: Implement Solutions

As Governor, I will restore certainty, local control, and long-term water security.

01
Establish Local Water Management Authority
  • Finalize district-based water system
  • Enable flexible water sharing
  • Empower local control
02
Implement Practical Fish Mitigation Policy
  • Align water timing with real needs
  • Provide predictable rules
  • Balance fish and agriculture
03
Secure Oregon's Fair Share of Water
  • Set clear supply targets
  • Expand access to Columbia River water
  • Support agriculture and aquifer recharge
04
Expand Aquifer Recharge & Storage
  • Achieve 500,000 acre-feet of new storage in four years
  • Prioritize declining aquifers
  • Increase project funding
05
Implement Groundwater Banking
  • Enable storage and tracking
  • Improve flexibility
  • Support partnerships
06
Require Real Science
  • Use peer-reviewed data
  • Improve data systems
  • End policy based on assumptions
07
Guarantee Regulatory Certainty
  • 30-year permitting stability
  • No shifting rules
  • Protect investment
08
Restore Agency Accountability
  • Set clear targets
  • Require performance reporting
  • Ensure agencies answer to elected leadership

Strong Farms = Strong Oregon

Farmers have already built the solution.
Support them
Get out of the way
Provide certainty & tools

Protecting this region means protecting Oregon's economy, food supply, and way of life.

Get Involved →