Marion County, Oregon

08/19/2026

Marion County Board of Commissioners Meeting, August 19, 2026

08/17/2026

🚧UPCOMING ROAD CLOSURE🚧

French Prairie Rd NE will be closed to through traffic between Highway 219 NE and River Road NE from mid-August through November for a bridge replacement project.

Local access will be maintained during construction, but because the bridge is being replaced you will not be able to cross it from either direction. Local and emergency vehicles, as well as through traffic, will be required to use the approved detour using Highway 219 and River Road.

08/13/2026

The Army Corps' new policy threatens irreparable damage. Marion County is seeking a court injunction to halt annual deep drawdowns until federal laws are followed. They can and must do better.

Get the full report: https://www.marioncountynews.org/news/marion-county-files-motion-for-preliminary-injunction-to-protect-detroit-lake

08/12/2026

Early this week, Marion County filed a motion for preliminary injunction asking the court to block the Army Corps’ plan for a deep drawdown of Detroit Lake this fall. The Army Corps has violated federal law by adopting a new policy of annual deep drawdowns of Detroit Lake below the minimum conservation pool even though they know it won’t work to help fish. Their failures will result in direct harms to critical infrastructure and water supplies, and drastically increase the risk of drinking water shortages, and harms to fish.

Get the full report: https://www.marioncountynews.org/news/marion-county-files-motion-for-preliminary-injunction-to-protect-detroit-lake

08/12/2026

In 2023, a deep drawdown at nearby Green Peter Lake was a man-made disaster that killed thousands of Kokanee salmon and caused massive increases in turbidity (or dirty water) that harmed city drinking water systems downstream. State fish monitoring data in the years since shows an alarming trend: wild salmon—the very fish that a deep drawdown was supposed to help—have actually declined as a percentage of fish returning to the South Santiam River fed by Green Peter.

On Monday afternoon, Marion County filed a motion for preliminary injunction asking the court to block the Army Corps’ plan for a deep drawdown of Detroit Lake this fall. The Army Corps has violated federal law by adopting a new policy of annual deep drawdowns of Detroit Lake below the minimum conservation pool even though they know it won’t work to help fish. Their failures will result in direct harms to critical infrastructure and water supplies, and drastically increase the risk of drinking water shortages, and harms to fish.

Watch the full special report: https://www.marioncountynews.org/news/marion-county-files-motion-for-preliminary-injunction-to-protect-detroit-lake

08/12/2026

Marion County Board of Commissioners Meeting, August 12, 2026

08/11/2026

DETROIT LAKE LAWSUIT UPDATE:

On Monday, Marion County filed a motion outlining the many ways federal defendants violated the law in adopting their new policy of annual deep drawdowns of Detroit Lake. This new policy will devastate canyon communities, endanger drinking water for over 230,000 people living downstream, and even jeopardize the very fish it claims to be trying to save.

In 2023, a court order forced similar deep drawdowns at nearby Green Peter Lake due to a lawsuit from an environmental group. This killed thousands of salmon and caused massive increases in turbidity that harmed downstream water systems.

The new policy of annual deep drawdowns would drain the lake below its minimum conservation pool—to its lowest historic level in the first year and to even deeper untested low levels each fall in following years. Dropping water levels in this manner disturbs fine sediment on the lake bottom and causes turbidity (dirty water), which harms all fish and municipal water systems downstream. There would also be water shortages if there is low rain that prevents refill, hurting cities and agriculture. The damage that was caused by the deep drawdown of Green Peter shows a deep drawdown of Detroit could also kill much of a lake’s fish population. All this would harm the tourism-based economy of the local community.

“Risking the drinking water of our communities while harming thousands of fish is patently absurd” said Commissioner Colm Willis, Chair. “Since the Army Corps refused to listen to reasonable requests from the county, cities, and schools, this lawsuit is the strongest means we have to protect our downstream communities as well as recreation at Detroit Lake.”

Read the full release: https://www.marioncountynews.org/news/marion-county-files-motion-for-preliminary-injunction-to-protect-detroit-lake

08/11/2026

Great public health doesn't happen by accident. It takes dedication, collaboration, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

We're proud to share that Marion County Health & Human Services has successfully maintained national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). There are only 420 accredited local health departments in the nation.

What does that mean for our community?

It means our Public Health Division has demonstrated it meets rigorous national standards for quality and performance, while continuously working to improve the services that help keep our community healthy.

Every day, our Public Health team works to:

• Prevent disease and injury
• Respond to public health emergencies
• Help ensure safe food, water, and environments
• Promote healthy behaviors
• Support healthier families and communities

This recognition reflects the dedication of our employees, community partners, and everyone working together to build a healthier Marion County.

Learn more about our Public Health programs: mchealthy.net

08/10/2026

We have extended the application deadline for the Marion County Forestland Classification Committee - interested community members can apply through Friday, August 21st.

We are looking for volunteers to serve on the Forestland Classification Committee (FLCC). As a FLCC member, you will study the lands within our jurisdiction to determine if parcels are classified correctly. This is critical work, as how properties are classified determines whether they qualify for wildland protection from the Oregon Department of Forestry.

If you have experience or an ownership interest in forestry, timber, agriculture, or grazing land we'd love to hear from you! Your knowledge can help shape decisions that affect our forests, rural communities, and public safety.

Learn more and apply: https://www.co.marion.or.us/HR/VOL/Pages/default.aspx

08/08/2026

Your voice matters! Calling all Marion County high school students ages 14–18!

Want to make a difference, build leadership skills, and have your voice heard? Join Youth Voice and help shape meaningful projects that impact your community.

Know a student who would be a great fit? Tag them or share this post!

Visit www.co.marion.or.us/HR/VOL/Pages/default.aspx for mor information and the application packet. We will accept applications through September 30!