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 …
Oregon Water Resources Commission Upholds Order Against McKenzie River Water Speculators
For Immediate Release June 4, 2014 Oregon Water Resources Commission Upholds Order Against McKenzie River Water Speculators Another Victory for McKenzie River and WaterWatch McKenzie River Photo by Tracey Adams On May 29th, the Oregon Water Resources Commission upheld a final order denying the Willamette Water Company’s controversial application for a permit to withdraw 34 cubic feet per second (22 …
WaterWatch of Oregon Statement on Oregon Supreme Court Opinion in Noble v. ODFW
For Immediate Release May 15, 2014 WaterWatch of Oregon Statement on Oregon Supreme Court Opinion in Noble v. ODFW A Win for Salmon and Steelhead In a decision critical to native migratory fish across Oregon, the Oregon Supreme Court reaffirmed the importance of fish passage at dams across the state. The court’s decision in the case of Noble v. Department of Fish …
Report Charts Path to More Secure Water Supply for Klamath Refuges
For Immediate Release May 5, 2014 Report Charts Path to More Secure Water Supply for Klamath Refuges New Options Could Prevent Future Bird Die-Offs, Restore Essential Wildlife Habitat in Chronically Water-Starved Wetlands Online Version of Report Available Here High Resolution Version Available Here Letter to Interior Secretary Jewell and USFWS Director Ashe The Klamath leaselands divert senior refuge water rights, …
Klamath Advocates Go To Court Over Wildlife Mismanagement
For Immediate Release: April 24, 2014 Contacts: Bob Sallinger, Audubon Society of Portland, (503) 380-9728 Quinn Read, Oregon Wild, (503) 283-6342 (x226) Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, (541) 708-0731 Klamath Advocates Go To Court Over Wildlife Mismanagement Conservation Groups Ask Federal Court to Require U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Obey the Law, Complete Long-Overdue Comprehensive Conservation Plan Parched Lower …
WaterWatch of Oregon Statement Regarding Signing of a Klamath Basin Water Agreement
For Immediate Release April 18, 2014 WaterWatch of Oregon Statement Regarding Signing of a Klamath Basin Water Agreement Although any amount of permanent water demand reduction is a welcome step in the right direction for the Klamath Basin, the claims that the agreement signed today will alone resolve the region’s water wars are simply false. Moreover, joining this water pact …
WaterWatch of Oregon’s Statement Opposing Measure 26-156
For Immediate Release April 1, 2014 WaterWatch of Oregon’s Statement Opposing Measure 26-156 As an organization that has worked since 1985 to protect and restore flows in Oregon’s rivers to sustain the native fish, wildlife, and people who depend on healthy rivers, WaterWatch of Oregon strongly opposes Measure 26-156. Measure 26-156 would result in the elimination of valuable City of …
Oregon Water Resources Department Denies Water Permit to Willamette Water Company
March 10, 2014 Oregon Water Resources Department Denies Water Permit to Willamette Water Company Victory for McKenzie River and WaterWatch On March 7, 2014, the Oregon Water Resources Department issued 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) from the McKenzie River. The state’s decision …
WaterWatch of Oregon Statement Regarding Announcement of a Klamath Basin Water Agreement
For Immediate Release March 5, 2014 WaterWatch of Oregon Statement Regarding Announcement of a Klamath Basin Water Agreement While reducing upper basin irrigation water demand by 30,000 acre-feet is a welcome step in the right direction, it is nowhere near enough to solve the profound water imbalance impacting the entire Klamath Basin. Joining this positive new agreement with the controversial …
Conservationists, Fishing Interests Respond to U.S. Treaty Recommendation for Columbia River
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 Conservationists, Fishing Interests Respond to U.S. Treaty Recommendation for Columbia River December 13, 2013 Contacts: Pat Ford (SOS) 208.345-9067 pford@wildidaho.org (Boise) Rachael Paschal Osborn (Columbia Institute for Water Policy) 509.939-1290 …
Victory for Oregon’s Rivers in Court of Appeals Ruling on Cottage Grove Water Right
For Immediate Release December 11, 2013 Contact: Jim McCarthy, jmac@waterwatch.org, 541-708-0731 Lisa Brown, lisa@waterwatch.org, 503-295-4039 x4 Victory for Oregon’s Rivers in Court of Appeals Ruling on Cottage Grove Water Right Precedent-setting decision closes harmful loophole, affirms protections for fish Today, the Court of Appeals of the State of Oregon handed down a victory for the state’s irreplaceable rivers and fish …
Rep. Hastings’ Treaty Hearing: Conservationists and Fishing Community Support Inclusion of Ecosystem Function in Modernized Columbia River Treaty
For Immediate Release Center for Environmental Law & Policy – WaterWatch of Oregon – Pacific Rivers Council – Save Our Wild Salmon – Sierra Club December 9, 2013 Contacts: Greg Haller (Pacific Rivers) 503.228.3555 greg@pacificrivers.org (Portland) Suzanne Skinner (CELP) 206.829-8366 sskinner@celp.org (Seattle) Pat Ford (SOS) 208.345-9067 pford@wildidaho.org (Boise) John DeVoe (WaterWatch) 503.295-4039 x1 john@waterwatch.org (Portland) John Osborn (Sierra Club) 509.939-1290 …
Senators Merkley and Wyden Introduce Crooked River Collaborative Water Security Act of 2013
Statement by Kimberley Priestley, WaterWatch of Oregon’s Senior Policy Analyst, on the November 21, 2013 introduction of the Crooked River Collaborative Water Security Act: “This collaborative bill is a blueprint for a healthier Crooked River and secure water supply for local communities, backed by a broad coalition of irrigation, municipal, tribal and conservation interests. It will bring significant benefits to …
LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST FOREST SERVICE PERMIT FOR CITY OF BEND WATER PROJECT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST FOREST SERVICE PERMIT FOR CITY OF BEND WATER PROJECT BEND — Central Oregon LandWatch and WaterWatch of Oregon filed a lawsuit today in the Oregon Federal District Court seeking an injunction to prevent the U.S. Forest Service from authorizing the City of Bend to begin construction of a new pipeline that will allow …
Governor Signs Bill to Protect Salmon Habitat
For Immediate Release August 15, 2013 Contact Forrest English, Rogue Riverkeeper, 541-261-2030 Josh Laughlin, Cascadia Wildlands, 541-844-8182 Erik Fernandez, Oregon Wild, 503-283-6343 x202 Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, 541-708-0731 Governor Signs Bill to Protect Salmon Habitat Bill to Reduce Impacts of Suction Dredge Gold Mining on Oregon Rivers Salem, OR — Anglers, landowners, outdoor recreation businesses, and river advocates celebrated …
Conservationists Seek Solution to Critical Salmon Barrier on Rogue Basin’s Evans Creek
For Immediate Release Contacts: Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch, 541-708-0731 Janette Brimmer, Earthjustice, 206-343-7340 x1029 Conservationists Seek Solution to Critical Salmon Barrier on Rogue Basin’s Evans Creek Fielder Dam Ranks in Oregon’s Top Ten List of Barriers Harmful to Salmon, Steelhead For a pdf copy of the legal complaint click here. For additional background on this issue click here. Medford, OR -– In …
Conservation Groups File 60-Day Notice of ESA Challenge on Klamath Salmon
For Immediate Release WaterWatch of Oregon * Oregon Wild * Hoopa Valley Tribe Contacts: Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch, 541-941-9450 Steve Pedery, Oregon Wild, 503-283-6343 x212 Regina Chichizola, Hoopa Valley Tribe, 541-951-0126 Conservation Groups File 60-Day Notice of ESA Challenge on Klamath Salmon Coalition says Bureau of Reclamation continues to endanger Klamath River fish, wildlife by implementing water management plans ahead of …
Legislation Introduced to Protect Water Quality and Wild Salmon
For Immediate Release February 19, 2013 Contact: John Ward, Rogue Flyfishers (Medford), 541-482-2859 Frank Armendariz, River Trail Outfitters (Eugene), 541-228-4084 Legislation Introduced to Protect Water Quality and Wild Salmon SB 401 would curb destructive suction dredge mining in Oregon’s iconic waterways Salem, OR — Local businesses, outdoor enthusiasts, and conservation organizations applaud the recent introduction of Senate Bill 401 by …
Columbia River-Umatilla Solutions Taskforce announcement
Statement by Kimberley Priestley, WaterWatch of Oregon’s Senior Policy Analyst, on the February 15, 2013 Columbia River-Umatilla Solutions Taskforce (CRUST) announcement: “Today’s agreement offers a menu of balanced potential solutions that will provide additional water to Umatilla farmers without harming flows needed for struggling salmon and steelhead runs or – importantly – without undermining river protection laws critical for maintaining …
Diverse Coalition Celebrates Landmark Upper Rogue Valley Water Plan
For Immediate Release September 26, 2012 Contact: State Rep. Peter Buckley, 541-488-9180 Bryan Baumgartner, Rogue River Valley Irrigation District, 541-261-2465 Bob Hunter, WaterWatch of Oregon, 541-778-3310 Leigh Johnson, Medford Water Commission, 541-944-2222 Steve Mason, WISE Project Coordinator, 541-951-0854 Diverse Coalition Celebrates Landmark Upper Rogue Valley Water Plan Rep. Buckley presides over ceremony kicking off comprehensive local water infrastructure improvement agreement …
35 Conservation Organizations Sound Alarm on Klamath Water
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 24, 2012 Contact: Steve Pedery Oregon Wild 503-283-6343 ext. 212 Bob Sallinger Audubon Society of Portland 503-380-9728 Jim McCarthy WaterWatch of Oregon 541-708-0731 Noah Greenwald Center for Biological Diversity 503-484-7495 35 Conservation Organizations Sound Alarm on Klamath Water Wildlife advocates urge Obama administration not to allow National Wildlife Refuges to go dry during critical fall migration …
Senators Merkley and Wyden and Governor Kitzhaber Announce Crooked River Water Agreement
“This legislation provides significant improvements for fish and river habitat in the beloved Crooked River, and we are very happy that our Senators provided the leadership to strike a balance between many interests,” said Kimberley Priestley, Senior Policy Analyst for WaterWatch of Oregon. “We look forward to working with all those involved to ensure that the Crooked river, its fish …
WaterWatch of Oregon Press Release
WaterWatch of Oregon Press Release April 30, 2012 Contact: John DeVoe, WaterWatch Executive Director, 503-295-4039 x1 Lisa Brown, WaterWatch Staff Attorney, 503-295-4039 x4 Victory for McKenzie River as Judge Rules Against Water Speculators Proposal Awaits Final Decision by Oregon Water Resources Department Eugene, OR – An Administrative Law Judge has proposed that the state deny a water right permit application that would allow …
26 Organizations Sound Alarm on Klamath Water
For Immediate Release March 27, 2012 Contact: Steve Pedery, Oregon Wild, 503-283-6343 ext212 Bob Sallinger, Audubon Society of Portland, 503-380-9728 Noah Greenwald, Center for Biological Diversity, 503-484-7495 Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, 541-941-9450 26 Organizations Sound Alarm on Klamath Water Wildlife advocates urge Obama administration not to allow National Wildlife Refuges to go dry, halt removal of endangered fish Portland, …
Merkley Legislation on Klamath Falls Short
For Immediate Release Oregon Wild * WaterWatch of Oregon November 10, 2011 CONTACT: Steve Pedery, Oregon Wild – 503.283.6343 ext. 212 Lisa Brown, WaterWatch of Oregon – 503.295.4039 ext. 4 Merkley Legislation on Klamath Falls Short Oregon conservationists frustrated by anti-wildlife provisions, lack of water for salmon Portland — Oregon conservation groups today expressed disappointment with legislation introduced by Senator …
Rogue River Runs Free at Former Gold Ray Dam Site
For Immediate Release WaterWatch Of Oregon * Rogue RiverKeeper * National Center for Conservation Science and Policy October 14, 2010 Media Contact: Bob Hunter, WaterWatch, cell: 541-778-3380 Lesley Adams, Rogue RiverKeeper, 541-488-5789 Brian Barr, NCCSP, cell: 541-621-7226 Rogue River Runs Free at Former Gold Ray Dam Site Project marks river’s fourth significant dam removal in three years Central Point, OR …
Rogue River Runs Free at Savage Rapids
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Rogue River Runs Free at Savage Rapids Storied Salmon Stream Undergoes Historic Restoration October 8, 2009 Contact: Bob Hunter, WaterWatch Staff Attorney, 541-778-3310 John DeVoe, WaterWatch Executive Director, 971-322-5635 Tomorrow, the Rogue River will move freely for the first time in nearly a century on a stretch of river near Grants Pass, Oregon, when work crews pull …
Rogue River to Run Free at Savage Rapids Dam Next Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Rogue River to Run Free at Savage Rapids Dam Next Week Storied Salmon Stream On the Verge of Historic Restoration Oct 02, 2009 Media Contact: Bob Hunter, WaterWatch, 541-826-4399 For more information online, visit www.waterwatch.org By October 9th, the Rogue River will move freely for the first time in nearly a century on a stretch of river near …