BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
STATE OF OREGON, COUNTY OF JACKSON
IN THE MATTER OF PROCLAIMING THAT A
LOCAL DISASTER IS DECLARED AND A
REQUEST TO DECLARE A STATE DROUGHT
EMERGENCY FOR JACKSON COUNTY,
OREGON
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ORDER NO. 62-20_____
WHEREAS, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners finds that Jackson County’s agricultural and
livestock industries, and related economy, are anticipated to suffer widespread and severe economic
damage, potential injuries, and loss of property resulting from extreme weather conditions within the
County; and
WHEREAS, annual water supplies available for irrigators and ranchers within Jackson County are a
function of both available water storage in the Rogue River, Applegate River, and various reservoirs
(Willow, Howard Prairie, Hyatt, Emigrant, Agate, Fish, and Four Mile Lakes); and the estimated seasonal
inflow from winter snowpack; and
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has estimated that in this water year,
October 1, 2019, through April 15, 2020, the Rogue Basin is at 75 percent of total average snowpack and
65 percent of total average precipitation, and as of April 1, 2020, storage for the reservoirs was below
average, ranging from 39 to 89 percent of average; and
WHEREAS, long-term snowpack monitoring sites in the Rogue Basin have recorded below average levels
for snow water equivalent, including three snow courses on Mt. Ashland that have been measured
continuously for over 40 years; and
WHEREAS, the USDA reports that as of April 1, 2020, streamflow forecasts decreased slightly from the
month prior, and water managers in Jackson County should prepare for well below normal to below normal
water supplies; and
WHEREAS, Jackson County has approximately 40,000 acres of irrigation district lands, irrigated in part
from stored water, many of which have chosen to delay opening day and may be forced to curtail water
sources later this summer; and
WHEREAS, in addition to irrigation district lands, there are approximately 170,000 acres of irrigated lands
that have individual water rights that will be affected by low reservoir and streamflow levels; and
ORDER – Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, many farmers, ranchers, and vineyards rely solely upon natural water sources, which are not
augmented by local reservoirs, and these natural tributaries to the Rogue and Applegate Rivers are in
extreme jeopardy of drying as they rely upon annual snowpack to run; and
WHEREAS, the extended weather forecast for Jackson County projects higher than normal temperatures,
and below average precipitation; and
WHEREAS, the above conditions result in loss of economic stability, pasture shortages, decrease in feed
production, shortened growing season, and decreased water supplies for Jackson County’s agricultural,
vineyard, and livestock producers; and
WHEREAS, this multi-year cumulative drought has resulted in decreased fuel moisture and early onset fire
danger; and
WHEREAS, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners determines that extraordinary measures must be
taken to alleviate the suffering of people and livestock, to protect or mitigate economic loss, and to be
responsive to the threat of wildfires.
The Board of County Commissioners of Jackson County hereby PROCLAIMS:

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ORDER – Page 3 of 3
DATED this 21st day of April, 2020, at Medford, Oregon.
JACKSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
/s/ Colleen Roberts______________________________
Colleen Roberts, Chair
/s/ Rick Dyer___________________________________
Rick Dyer, Commissioner
/s/ Bob Strosser_________________________________
Bob Strosser, Commissioner
Due to the existing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the need to promote physical distancing,
the Jackson County Board of Commissioners is conducting meetings through electronic and telephonic
means. On April 8, 2020, the Board of Commissioners approved Order No. 52-20 authorizing the use of
their electronic signatures on Ordinances, Orders, and other documents. Following the motion and roll
call vote, Commissioners Roberts, Dyer, and Strosser authorized the use of her/his electronic signatures
on this Board Order No. 62-20.