PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An Oregon farm will pay to settle claims that it contaminated the groundwater supply in Morrow and Umatilla counties.
Echo-based Madison Ranches has agreed to pay $6.2 million to compensate local residents who rely on private wells that draw water contaminated with nitrates and nitrogen in the Lower Umatilla Basin.
“We appreciate Madison Ranches’ commitment to the community as shown in this settlement. Rather than fighting about who made the mess, Madison Ranches stepped up to help address the nitrate pollution problem. But our work is not over,” said Steve Berman, attorney for the plaintiffs…