HASSO HERING

A perspective from Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley

Dry and drier at Talking Water Gardens

Written June 8th, 2025 by Hasso Hering

Albany’s Talking Water Gardens has been out of operation since last December, and this dry spring it really shows. The water level in the lower pond is way down, and the upper ponds are completely dry.


The Water Gardens on a fine spring day

Written March 24th, 2025 by Hasso Hering

Dry, sunny and warm. What a combination! For months on end we had not had such a day as Monday. The bike and I made use of the conditions for a springtime tour of Albany’s Talking Water Gardens.


What’s next at Talking Water Gardens

Written December 9th, 2024 by Hasso Hering

The City of Albany intends to maintain the constructed wetlands known as Talking Water Gardens as a place to enjoy nature even though the place no longer functions as part of the Albany and Millersburg wastewater treatment system.


Cities face new mandate on river trash

Written April 21st, 2024 by Hasso Hering

As if cities like Albany don’t have enough to do, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is proposing to list sections of the Willamette River as “impaired” by trash. This will trigger new regulations under the federal Clean Water Act, and cities likely will bear the brunt of a new mandate.


You’re advised: There’s smog in the air

Written August 14th, 2023 by Hasso Hering

As if we couldn’t tell by looking around on these very hot days, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality on Monday issued an “air quality advisory” for the south Willamette Valley because of smog and wildfire smoke.


About that gas-power car ban in ’35

Written December 20th, 2022 by Hasso Hering

It’s surprising that there has been so little reaction or pushback since Oregon state rule makers on Monday went ahead with their plan to ban sales of piston-driven cars and pickups starting in 2035.


Riverside trash would be a federal offense

Written June 5th, 2022 by Hasso Hering

Willamette Riverkeeper, a Portland-based group, wants Oregon state environmental regulators to make rules declaring riverside trash to be in violation of the federal Clean Water Act.


 
HH Today: A perspective from Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley
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