Water bottling plant debate gets louder ahead of May vote

PORTLAND – Opponents of a proposed Nestle water bottling plant in the Columbia River Gorge are now facing an organized group of project supporters.

The Coalition for a Strong Gorge Economy registered with the Oregon Secretary of State earlier this month as the group in favor of the plant while the Local Water Alliance continues pushing against the project, the Oregonian reported.

“We don’t want to set the precedent of being a water-exporting county,” said the alliance’s campaign director, Aurora del Val.

Hood River County voters will decide a ballot measure in May banning water bottling operations that produce over 1,000 gallons daily. Nestle plans on packaging 11 times that amount in an hour, on average.

Cascade Locks business owner Debora Lorang formed the coalition supporting the project alongside the area residents and the city’s mayor as well as a port official.

“So many of us believe very strongly in the project coming here,” Lorang said. “The ballot initiative is not good for our town, it’s not good for the community or for the state.”

Nestle released a video on Twitter supporting the project as an economic driver.

Opponents released their own characterizing Nestle as a bully exploiting resources.

Nestle spokesman Dave Palais said the pro-plant video was made after the company learned a video against the project was planned.