In Crook County, riparian pastures and off-stream watering have allowed for grazing while protecting streambanks and allowing riparian vegetation development. In Baker County, contour landscaping, fencing, and weed control are among the proactive, positive measures taken by farmers and ranchers to protect water quality. In Jefferson County, along Trout Creek, perforated pipes are now providing much needed irrigation to growers while eliminating the need for push-up dams that may impede fish runs. In Malheur County, along Bully Creek, off-stream water troughs have been constructed for livestock. In Klamath County, riparian vegetation, including tree planting, has been an important measure taken among farmers and ranchers.
Efforts are just as impressive on the west side of the state.
In Coos County on the west side and Wallowa County on the east side, wetlands and ponds have been created on agricultural land to provide habitat for wildlife. In Lane County, along the Mohawk River, riparian fencing is keeping livestock off the banks and out of the water while blackberry vines are removed and replaced by seedlings along the streambank. And in Washington County, where an area-wide water quality plan and rules are already in effect in the Tualatin Basin, straw mulch has been spread along streambanks and between rows of crops, cover crops are planted for soil stabilization, and conservation tillage is used to help control erosion. All across the state, farmers and ranchers are making better use of inputs such as pesticides, fertilizers, and water. Many counties and municipalities are scheduling Earth Day events with an agricultural component.