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Washington Declares Drought Emergency—Is Oregon Next?

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Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared a statewide drought emergency today, OPB reports. The emergency status was brought about by low snowpack. Insley said that while the state should have sufficient water for drinking, crops and fish may be threatened, and wild fires are an increased risk.

California has already declared a drought emergency. Is Oregon next?

A few counties have already received an emergency declaration from Gov. Kate Brown—Baker, Malheur, Harney, Lake, Klamath, Crook, and Wheeler. And others have requests one—Deschutes, Lane, Grant, Jackson, Josephine, Wasco, Morrow, and Umatilla.

And a look at the Oregon Water Availability Committee's Water Supply Assessment shows that for most of the state's basins, drought is "inevitable," while in the remainder of the state drought is "likely."

Tell us what you think. Should Gov. Brown declare a statewide drought emergency? And if she does, how will that affect your water consumption?