32 Pacific Northwest Groups Urge U.S. to Take Action to Modernize the Columbia River Treaty to Avoid Ecosystem Collapse

FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE September 14, 2022 Media Contacts: Joseph Bogaard, Save Our wild Salmon Coalition, joseph@wildsalmon.org, 206-300-1003 John DeVoe, WaterWatch of Oregon, john@waterwatch.org, 503-295-4039 x 1 32 Pacific Northwest Groups Urge U.S. to Take Action to Modernize the Columbia River Treaty to Avoid Ecosystem Collapse Seattle, Washington – Today, 32 Pacific Northwest-based conservation, clean energy, faith, fishing, and civic organizations …

Three Priority Dam Removals Completed in Rogue’s Applegate Subbasin

For Immediate Release October 13, 2021   Contacts: Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, 541-941-9450 Brian Barr, Rogue River Watershed Council, 541-621-7226   Harboldt Dam before and after removal images here: https://tinyurl.com/eaz9kswe Photo credit Crystal Nichols, Rogue River Watershed Council   Three Priority Dam Removals Completed in Rogue’s Applegate Subbasin Collaborative project benefits salmon and steelhead while meeting private land use needs   Wilderville …

Administrative Hearing Underway Over Botched 2018 Winchester Dam Repair River Advocates Intervening to Protect North Umpqua Water Quality

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR HEARING CALL-IN INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, 541-941-9450, jim@waterwatch.org July 13th, 2021 Salem – Today, river advocates were again working to hold a polluter accountable for a botched October 2018 repair at Winchester Dam on the North Umpqua River. An Oregon administrative law judge has scheduled three days of hearings beginning Tuesday July …

Administrative Hearing Over Botched 2018 Winchester Dam Repair Begins July 13 River Advocates Intervening to Protect North Umpqua Water Quality

FOR HEARING CALL-IN INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, 541-708-0048, jim@waterwatch.org Administrative Hearing Over Botched 2018 Winchester Dam Repair Begins July 13 River Advocates Intervening to Protect North Umpqua Water Quality Salem – Next week, river advocates will again be working to hold a polluter accountable for a botched October 2018 repair at Winchester Dam on the North …

Fishermen, Conservationists Demand Action Against Outlaw Dam

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 30, 2021 CONTACT: Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, 541-708-0048, jim@waterwatch.org Fishermen, Conservationists Demand Action Against Outlaw Dam Known Safety Issues Still Unrepaired on High-Hazard Winchester Dam Seventeen Months After Owners Put on Notice River Advocates’ Letter Regarding Winchester Dam Safety: https://bit.ly/31wiPB2 Winchester Dam October 2019 State Safety inspection Letter: https://bit.ly/3g4tedU Roseburg – Yesterday, nineteen local and …

Northwest Senators Urged to Reject Rep. Simpson’s Disastrous Plan for Endangered Salmon

For Immediate Release, March 16, 2021 Contact: Quinn Read, Center for Biological Diversity, (206) 979-3074, QRead@biologicaldiversity.org John DeVoe, WaterWatch of Oregon, john@waterwatch.org, (503) 295-4039 x 1 Kurt Beardslee, Wild Fish Conservancy, kurt@wildfishconservancy.org, (206) 310-9301 David A. Moskowitz, The Conservation Angler, david@theconservationangler.org, (971) 235-8953 Northwest Senators Urged to Reject Rep. Simpson’s Disastrous Plan for Endangered Salmon PORTLAND, Ore.— A coalition of …

River Advocates Applaud Ruling Protecting North Umpqua Water Quality

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 14, 2020 CONTACT: Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, 541-708-0048, jim@waterwatch.org River Advocates Applaud Ruling Protecting North Umpqua Water Quality Administrative Law Judge Finds Botched Winchester Dam Repairs Not Exempt From Law Link to Ruling: https://bit.ly/39vGBAZ Advocates’ August 2020 Letter Regarding Winchester Dam’s Pollution Record: https://bit.ly/2K4ZkKg DEQ’s Amended Notice of Civil Penalty to Basco Logging: https://bit.ly/3i960US Roseburg …

River Advocates Await Ruling on Botched Winchester Dam Repair

MEDIA ADVISORY: December 9, 2020 CONTACT: Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, 541-708-0048, jim@waterwatch.org River Advocates Await Ruling on Botched Winchester Dam Repair 2018 Incident on North Umpqua River Killed Fish, Polluted Drinking Water for 37,700 People DEQ’s January 2020 Notice of Civil Penalty to Basco Logging: https://bit.ly/3lTYVb8 Agency Documents and Photos Regarding 2018 Pollution Spill: https://bit.ly/3oAUWBV Advocates’ August 2020 Letter …

Fishermen, Conservationists Score Another Win Against Outlaw Dam

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 2, 2020 CONTACT: Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, 541-708-0048, jim@waterwatch.org Fishermen, Conservationists Score Another Win Against Outlaw Dam High-hazard Winchester Dam to Comply with Public Safety Regulations for First Time in Decades River Advocates’ October 2020 Letter Regarding Winchester Dam Safety: https://bit.ly/2VvTwfo Winchester Dam’s October 2019 State Safety Inspection Letter: https://bit.ly/3g4tedU Winchester Dam’s Current Emergency Action …

Fishermen, Conservationists Go to Court Over Outlaw Dam

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 10, 2020   CONTACT: Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, 541-708-0048, jim@waterwatch.org   Fishermen, Conservationists Go to Court Over Outlaw Dam Dilapidated, high-hazard Winchester Dam is harming fish, water quality, and livelihoods   Court filing available here. Winchester Dam fact sheet available here.   Roseburg ¬– Steamboaters, WaterWatch of Oregon, and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermens’ …

Deschutes River Conservation Plan Fails to Restore River, Fish, Frogs

For Immediate Release, November 5, 2020 Contact: Tod Heisler, Central Oregon Land Watch, (510) 480-2388, tod@colw.org Noah Greenwald, Center for Biological Diversity, (503) 484-7495, ngreenwald@biologicaldiversity.org Kimberley Priestley, WaterWatch of Oregon, kjp@waterwatch.org Deschutes River Conservation Plan Fails to Restore River, Fish, Frogs Federal Plan Preserves Unsustainable Flows, Water Waste for Decades BEND, Ore.— A final habitat conservation plan and environmental impact …

WaterWatch and Conservation Groups Aim to Protect Water for Salmon and Steelhead in Willamette River

Press Release For more information, contact: Brian Posewitz, 503-295-4039 x 2, brian@waterwatch.org Marlies Wierenga, 503-278-0669, mwierenga@wildearthguardians.org Andrew Missel, 503-914-6388, amissel@advocateswest.org Jonah Sandford, 503-768-6726, jonah@nedc.org Conservation Groups Look to Protect Water for Salmon and Steelhead in Willamette River as Lawsuit Seeks Pause in Water Allocation Plan Portland, Oregon – Conservation groups filed suit in federal court Thursday to protect imperiled spring …

Columbia River Treaty Negotiating Team out of step with Northwest Values Sept 6 in Portland: Northwest residents encouraged to speak with U.S. State Department at Town Hall meeting on future of the Columbia River and Treaty

News Release Contact: Greg Haller greg@pacificrivers.org (208) 790-4105 (Pacific Rivers) Joseph Bogaard joseph@wildsalmon.org (206) 286-4455 (Save Our Wild Salmon/SOS) Trish Rolfe ­trolfe@celp.org (206) 829-8299 (Center for Environmental Law & Policy/CELP) John Osborn MD ­ john@waterplanet.ws (509) 939-1290 (Sierra Club) Letter to State Department: <http://www.waterplanet.ws/pdf/Letter_to_State_Dept_083118.pdf> A broad coalition of conservation, sports, and fishing organizations today delivered a letter to the State …

Judge: Feds “Cherry-Picked Legal Interpretations” to Favor Agribusiness Over Waterfowl on Klamath Basin Refuges U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ordered to release documents acknowledging law allows removal of harmful commercial agribusiness from refuge lands

For Immediate Release April 9, 2018 Contacts: Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, 541-708-0731 Bob Sallinger, Audubon Society of Portland, 503-380-9728 Steve Pedery, Oregon Wild, 503-283-6343 Maura Fahey, Crag Law Center, 503-525-2722 Medford, OR – A U.S. Magistrate Judge has issued a ruling ordering the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to release key portions of a heavily-redacted planning document showing …

Klamath Advocates Condemn Bureau of Reclamations Willful Destruction of the Everglades of the West

For Immediate Release March 26, 2018 Contacts: Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, (541) 708-0731 Bob Sallinger, Audubon Society of Portland, (503) 380-9728 Steve Pedery, Oregon Wild, (503) 283-6342 Conservationists Call on Gov. Kate Brown, Senators Wyden and Merkley to Stop Likely Catastrophic Waterfowl Die-Off, Hold Bureau Accountable for Longstanding Waste and Abuse Today three conservation groups, Audubon Society of Portland, …

Klamath Refuge Wildlife Have Day in Court

For Immediate Release January 8, 2018 Contacts: Bob Sallinger, Audubon Society of Portland, (503) 380-9728 Steve Pedery, Oregon Wild, (503) 283-6342 Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, (541) 708-0731 Conservationists Challenge Improper Management Plan for “Everglades of the West” MEDFORD – Today three conservation groups, Audubon Society of Portland, Oregon Wild and WaterWatch of Oregon argued before a federal judge that …

Conservation, fishing and faith groups applaud announcement that negotiations over the future of the Columbia River Treaty will begin in 2018

December 11, 2017 For Immediate Release Contact: Greg Haller, Conservation Director at Pacific Rivers: (503) 228-3555; greg@pacificrivers.org Joseph Bogaard, Executive Director at Save our Wild Salmon Coalition: (206) 300-1003; joseph@wildsalmon.org On December 7th the U.S. Department of State announced that formal negotiations with Canada over the fate of the fifty-three year old U.S.-Canada Columbia River Treaty will begin in early …

Victory for North Fork Smith River

For Immediate Release December 7, 2017 Contact: Lisa Brown, WaterWatch of Oregon Staff Attorney, 503-295-4039 Ext 4, lisa@waterwatch.org Grant Werschkull, Smith River Alliance, 916-715-9898, grant@smithriveralliance.org Click here for more information on this decision Click here for a map of the area Victory for North Fork Smith River Today, WaterWatch of Oregon, American Rivers, Smith River Alliance, and American Whitewater applauded …

Oregon Court of Appeals Upholds Order Against McKenzie River Water Speculators

Oregon Court of Appeals Upholds Order Against McKenzie River Water Speculators Another Victory for McKenzie River and WaterWatch November 15, 2017 Order available here. Mckenzie River by Doug Heiken Today, the Oregon Court of Appeals upheld a final order denying the Willamette Water Company’s controversial application for a permit to withdraw 34 cubic feet per second (22 million gallons per day) …

Judge Denies Irrigators Special Treatment, Millions in Drought Payments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 2, 2017 CONTACTS Glen Spain | Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations | 541.521.8655 | fish1ifr@aol.com Jim McCarthy |WaterWatch of Oregon | 541.708.0731 | jim@waterwatch.org Stephanie Tsosie | Earthjustice | 505.270.5098 | stsosie@earthjustice.org Judge Denies Irrigators Special Treatment, Millions in Drought Payments Read the Decision Here Washington, D.C. – Judge Marian Blank Horn of the U.S. Court …

The Columbia River Basin Holds Immense Natural Capital Value

For Immediate Release July 6, 2017 The Columbia River Basin Holds Immense Natural Capital Value New study shows Columbia River Basin’s natural capital worth $198 billion annually Contact: D.R. Michel, Upper Columbia United Tribes, 509.209.2412, dr@ucut-nsn.org Sara Thompson, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, 503. 238.3567, thos@critfc.org Greg Haller, Pacific Rivers, 503.228.3555 ext. 205, greg@pacificrivers.org Joseph Bogaard, Save Our Wild Salmon …

Water Bill Passes a Milestone

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 12, 2017 Contacts: Stacey Malstrom, Oregon Environmental Council, (503) 508-7233 Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, (541) 708-0731 Water Bill Passes a Milestone Oregon’s House Committee on Energy and Environment Makes Progress Toward Smart Water Management SALEM — Tuesday evening, the Oregon House Committee on Energy and Environment voted to move HB 2705 out of committee, a …

Klamath Advocates Go To Court Over Wildlife Mismanagement

For Immediate Release January 18, 2017 Contacts: Bob Sallinger, Audubon Society of Portland, (503) 380-9728 Steve Pedery, Oregon Wild, (503) 283-6342 Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, (541) 708-0731 Klamath Advocates Go To Court Over Wildlife Mismanagement Conservation Groups Challenge Improper Management Plan for “Everglades of the West” Click here to view the court filing. Workers in protection suits spraying pesticides …

Agreement Reached to Protect Upper Deschutes River

For Immediate Release October 28, 2016 Contact: Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, 541-708-0731, jim@waterwatch.org Noah Greenwald, Center for Biological Diversity, 503-484-7495, ngreenwald@biologicaldiversity.org Janette Brimmer, Earthjustice, 206-343-7340 x 1029, jbrimmer@earthjustice.org Laurie Rule, Advocates for the West, 503-914-6388, lrule@advocateswest.org Agreement Reached to Protect Upper Deschutes River Deal Provides Modest Near-term Flow Boost, Sets Timeline for Science-Based Improvements to Benefit Water Quality, Threatened …

WaterWatch Applauds Designation of Two New State Scenic Waterways

For Immediate Release January 27, 2016 WaterWatch Applauds Designation of Two New State Scenic Waterways Chetco and Molalla river segments gain new protections for flows supporting fish, wildlife, and recreation Chetco River by Ken Moorish WaterWatch of Oregon welcomed Governor Kate Brown’s announcement today designating portions of the Chetco and Molalla rivers as State Scenic Waterways. After a lengthy process with …

Statement Regarding Ongoing Upper Deschutes River Lawsuit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 24, 2016 WaterWatch and Center for Biological Diversity Statement Regarding Ongoing Upper Deschutes River Lawsuit On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Aiken indicated during a hearing that she would deny WaterWatch of Oregon and Center for Biological Diversity’s motion requesting immediate changes to flows in the Upper Deschutes River to prevent ongoing harm to the threatened …

WaterWatch of Oregon Applauds Advance of Klamath Dam Removal

For Immediate Release February 2, 2016 Contact: Jim McCarthy 541-708-0731 John DeVoe, 503-295-4039 x1 WaterWatch of Oregon Applauds Advance of Klamath Dam Removal Long-Delayed Restoration Effort No Longer Held Hostage to Failed Water Agreement Today, WaterWatch applauded Oregon and California’s elected leaders and the Obama Administration for prioritizing the agreement to remove the four lower Klamath River dams, and urged …

Lawsuit Filed to Stop Harm to Deschutes River

For Immediate Release: January 11, 2016 Contact: Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, 541-708-0731 Janette Brimmer, Earthjustice, 206-343-7340, ext. 1029 Lawsuit Filed to Stop Harm to Deschutes River Mismanagement of flows jeopardizing threatened spotted frog, fish, and local livelihoods 2013 Upper Deschutes River fish kill. Photo by Doug La Placa. BEND, OR – Today, WaterWatch of Oregon filed suit in federal district court …

WaterWatch of Oregon Issues Warning to Protect Deschutes River

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 13, 2015 CONTACT: Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, 541-708-0731 60-Day Notice is available here. WaterWatch of Oregon Issues Warning to Protect Deschutes River Irregular streamflows are harming fish, wildlife and local livelihoods Bend – Today, WaterWatch of Oregon announced its intention to challenge the Central Oregon Irrigation District, North Unit Irrigation District, Tumalo Irrigation District, and the …

Top Priority Dam Removal Nears Completion in Rogue River Basin

For Immediate Release August 10, 2015 Contacts: Bob Hunter, WaterWatch of Oregon Board Member, 541-778-3310 Brian Barr, Geos Institute Project Manager, 541-621-7226 Denise Hoffert, American Rivers, 541-619-5896 John DeVoe, WaterWatch of Oregon Executive Director, 503-295-4039 Photos and map showing both dams are available here. Video of Wimer Dam removal available here. Top Priority Dam Removal Nears Completion in Rogue River Basin Demolition …

Columbia River Treaty: State Department to Include Ecosystem Function in Negotiating Position

Center for Environmental Law & Policy | WaterWatch of Oregon | Pacific Rivers Council Save Our wild Salmon | Sierra Club | Columbia Institute for Water Policy For Immediate Release Thursday, June 4, 2015 Contacts – * Pat Ford (Save Our wild Salmon) 208-345-9067 pford@wildidaho.org (Boise) * Greg Haller (Pacific Rivers Council) 503-228-3555 greg@pacificrivers.org (Portland) * John Osborn MD (Ethics …

Tumalo Creek Ruling Protects Streams Throughout Oregon

For Immediate Release May 4, 2015 Contact: Kimberley Priestley, 503-295-4039 x3, kjp@waterwatch.org Tumalo Creek Ruling Protects Streams Throughout Oregon Water Ski Pond Development Deal Put Streams Statewide at Risk Last week, the Oregon Department of Water Resources dealt a blow to a scheme to use scarce Tumalo Creek water to create water-skiing ponds for a luxury home development in Central …

Major Grant Awarded to Top Priority Rogue Basin Dam Removal Project

For Immediate Release April 28, 2015 Contacts: John DeVoe, WaterWatch of Oregon Executive Director, 971-322-5635 Bob Hunter, WaterWatch of Oregon Board Member, 541-778-3310 Brian Barr, Geos Institute Project Manager, 541-621-7226 Major Grant Awarded to Top Priority Rogue Basin Dam Removal Project Funding Means Salmon and Steelhead to Regain Access this Fall to 70 Miles of Habitat on Key Spawning Tributary …

Judge Affirms Ruling Favoring Wildlife on Klamath Refuges

For Immediate Release April 16, 2015 Contacts: Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, 541-708-0731 Bob Sallinger, Audubon Society of Portland, 503-380-9728 Steve Pedery, Oregon Wild, 503-283-6343 Chris Winter, Crag Law Center, 503-701-6002 A copy of the ruling can be found here. Judge Affirms Ruling Favoring Wildlife on Klamath Refuges U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service given August 2016 deadline to complete plan to …

WaterWatch of Oregon Statement Regarding the 2015 Klamath Project Operations Plan

For Immediate Release April 8, 2015 WaterWatch of Oregon Statement Regarding the 2015 Klamath Project Operations Plan Yesterday, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released the 2015 Klamath Project Operations Plan, setting irrigation season water delivery amounts for agribusiness operations and national wildlife refuges within the massive federal Klamath Project along the Oregon-California line. Yet again, the Bureau’s plan provides no …

Judge’s Ruling Favors Wildlife on Klamath Refuges

For Immediate Release March 5, 2015 Contacts: Bob Sallinger, Audubon Society of Portland, 503-380-9728 Steve Pedery, Oregon Wild, 503-283-6343 Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, 541-708-0731 Chris Winter, Crag Law Center, 503-701-6002 Copy of ruling available here Judge’s Ruling Favors Wildlife on Klamath Refuges U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service required to complete plan to ensure commercial agribusiness doesn’t harm wildlife; given August …

WaterWatch of Oregon Announces Hire of Brian Posewitz

For Immediate Release February 19, 2015 WaterWatch of Oregon Announces Hire of Brian Posewitz Brian Posewitz has joined WaterWatch as Staff Attorney. WaterWatch is thrilled to announce longtime general litigation and water attorney Brian Posewitz has joined the organization as a staff attorney, starting in February 2015. An attorney in Oregon since 1991, Brian brings 24 years of legal experience …

Appeals Court Delivers Victory for Clackamas River Salmon and Steelhead

For Immediate Release December 31, 2014 Contact: Lisa Brown, WaterWatch Staff Attorney: 503-295-4039 x4 John DeVoe, WaterWatch Executive Director: 503-295-4039 x1 Court of Appeals decision available here: http://www.publications.ojd.state.or.us/docs/A148870.pdf Appeals Court Delivers Victory for Clackamas River Salmon and Steelhead Opinion Requires State to Maintain Flows Needed for Imperiled Fish Clackamas River by Erin Barnholdt Today the Oregon Court of Appeals delivered a …

MERKLEY, WALDEN DELIVER CROOKED RIVER VICTORY FOR CENTRAL OREGON

For Immediate Release December 12, 2014 MERKLEY, WALDEN DELIVER CROOKED RIVER VICTORY FOR CENTRAL OREGON Bipartisan agreement will deliver greater water security and economic growth for Central Oregon WASHINGTON – This holiday season, Central Oregon will have one more reason to celebrate: In the final moments of the 113th Congress, major legislation implementing improved water management in Central Oregon has …

Foreign Owned Mining Company Renews Push for Controversial Mine in Wild and Scenic Smith River Headwaters

Foreign Owned Mining Company Renews Push for Controversial Mine in Wild and Scenic Smith River Headwaters December 9, 2014 Local communities vowed continued opposition after Red Flat Nickel Corporation filed a petition with the Oregon Water Resources Department asking the agency to reconsider denial of the company’s application to withdraw water for the Cleopatra test drilling project in a pristine …