Weigh in with your support to modernize and improve key Oregon water management tools at a virtual information meeting this Monday the 22nd, or by submitting responses to four short online surveys by 5 p.m. this Friday the 26th. The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) is seeking public input this week on a critically-needed rulemaking […]
Take Action — Weigh in Now to Strengthen Water Management Read More »
Contact Senators Wyden and Merkley to let them know you don’t support public land being stripped away from the Mt. Hood National Forest to supply water for data centers. Click here for our coalition letter to Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley stating our opposition to HR 655. Click here for our corresponding press release
Take Action — Tell Senators Wyden and Merkley to Vote NO on HR 655 Read More »
WaterWatch and our allies need your immediate help to prevent passage of HB 4006, a bill that would exempt Umatilla Basin irrigators that divert water from the Columbia River from key water laws that every other farmer in the state must adhere to. If passed, HB 4006 would fundamentally change water right management of Columbia
Submit Written Testimony NOW to Help Stop a Bad Columbia River Water Bill Read More »
As Oregonians we know how beautiful our state is, and the diversity of habitats and wildlife we love are part of what makes Oregon such a special place to live. With Oregon’s short legislative session for 2026 getting underway today, the 1.25% for Wildlife bill is back before policymakers with bipartisan support as HB 4134.
Submit Testimony Now in Support of the 1.25% for Wildlife Bill at HB 4134 Read More »
You did it! The landmark 1.25% for Wildlife initiative is now law! Dedicated funding for Oregon fish, widlife, and habitat is secrued. The Latest Huge news as Governor Tina Kotek has signed the 1.25% for Wildlife bill into law, marking a huge win for Oregon’s fish, wildlife, and habitat — and putting a successful punctuation
Congratulations! Governor Kotek Signs 1.25% for Wildlife Bill Into Law! Read More »
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has filed applications to establish 44 new instream water rights in Oregon’s North Coast and Mid-Coast regions, and with the public comment period closing this Thursday, Dec. 18th, at 5 p.m. we need your help NOW to ensure legal protections are secured for these beloved coastal rivers and streams — from the Nehalem
Act Now to Support New Instream Water Rights in Oregon’s Coastal River Basins Read More »
Thank you to WaterWatch members, supporters, and friends for your responses in letting the Oregon Water Resources Department know you support the adoption of strong rules to sustain groundwater, habitat, and species in the Harney Basin over the last month. After an extensive, multi-year, multi-stakeholder process and in-depth scientific study, the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) issued
As you’ve seen in our recent action alerts, the legislative session in Salem is about to end for the year, and a number of important environmental bills are still jockeying for votes. One bill that would make major improvements to Oregon’s fish and wildlife conservation funding is close to passing, but we need your help to give
Take Action Now to Support HB 2977 for Oregon’s Fish and Wildlife Read More »
Clean water, strong rivers, and healthy fish and wildlife are part of Oregon’s identity, yet many of our state’s outdated water laws are at odds with those values. Right now we have a chance to protect the public benefits our rivers provide by tightening a dangerous loophole that currently allows the Oregon Water Resources Department
We Need Your Support for Oregon Senate Bill 1153 NOW Read More »
Please speak up NOW to help us stop three bad rules bills targeting state rulemakings, agency discretion, and executive functions. The three bills — HB 3569, HB 2692, and HB 2454 — follow the ongoing federal trend of blurring the lines between the three branches of government, and gives the regulated industry a leg up
Please Weigh in NOW Against Three Bad Rules Bills Read More »
The White House is threatening the integrity of the federal Endangered Species Act by proposing to remove the regulatory definition of “harm.” As part of its ongoing campaign attacking long-standing U.S. environmental laws and policies, the White House is threatening a critical underpinning of the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) by proposing to remove the regulatory definition of “harm,” which is
In February we urged you to speak in support of SB 427, a bill that would safeguard streamflows in water right transfers, and you came through. This month we asked for your support for SB 1153, a similar bill that would ensure fish and water quality are not harmed in water right transfers. And once again,
Submit Testimony on an Important Bill for Oregon Streams Read More »
Oregon’s outdated water laws have long favored extraction over protection, but we have a chance to do something about it — in this legislative session. We have an opportunity to close a harmful regulatory loophole in Oregon’s water transfer laws which allows old water rights to serve new uses, move to new diversion points, or change the place of
Take Action NOW on SB 427 — Oregon Rivers Need Water, and Our Help Read More »
Feb. 17, 2025 As our climate grows increasingly warmer and drier, Oregon needs effective science and data-driven water management. With climate change and water scarcity upon us, it’s imperative that Oregon invest in its water. The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) is charged with managing Oregon’s waters, but the agency needs data, science, and management positions
Action Alert — Speak Up Now for Critical Investments in Oregon’s Waters! Read More »
Oct. 22, 2024 We need your help generating support for new legal protections for instream flows for fish along the middle basin of the Willamette River, including segments of the North, Middle, and South forks of the Santiam River, Calapooia River, Luckiamute River, Long Tom River, West Fork Marys River, and many more. As we
Sept. 26, 2024 We need your help TODAY to support new legal protections for instream flows for fish in Oregon’s beloved Willamette River system! Comments are due today at 5 p.m., so please TAKE ACTION NOW. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has applied for 269 new instream water rights, including 102 in the
Deadline to Support for Flow Protections for North Willamette is Today at 5 p.m. Read More »
May 21, 2024 The public comment period has now closed on this initiative. If enacted, long-overdue updates to the state’s groundwater allocation rules will begin to rein in Oregon’s decades-long pattern of over-issuing pumping rights, and implement the guidelines of Oregon’s forward-looking, landmark 1955 Ground Water Act, including proposed changes to better account for impacts
Written Remarks in Support of Revised Groundwater Allocation Rules Read More »
March 27, 2024 Note: We’re currently between Oregon Water Resources Department comment periods for the IWRS update. When the state resumes taking comments we’ll let you know — thanks! The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) will soon resume collecting public comments on its ongoing update of the state’s Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS). Originally adopted
Comment on the State’s Integrated Water Resource Strategy (IWRS) Update Read More »
Feb. 2, 2024 Located in northeastern Oregon, the Powder River cuts canyons of up to 500 feet into the surrounding Columbia plateau along its route to the Snake River, with 11 miles of its length protected under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The Powder River also flows through a major agricultural region, with
WaterWatch Action Alert — Support the Powder River Read More »
We need your help asking Governor Kotek and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to hold Winchester Water Control District (WWCD) accountable for the harm and killing of state sensitive species on the North Umpqua River in Douglas County. Click here to submit your letter. On Aug. 7th, WWCD began repairs on the
Please lend your voice to the water needs of rivers, fish, wildlife and people who depend on healthy rivers as part of Oregon’s Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) update! Oregon’s Kitchen Table has opened a survey to help the state better understand what water issues are important to Oregonians. This information will help shape the
River Action Alert: Take a survey to help Oregon’s rivers! Read More »
May 22, 2023 Oregon’s Kitchen Table recently posted a survey to help state officials better understand what water issues are important to you. The information and data collected will ultimately help shape the next iteration of the state’s Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS). Background: The IWRS is Oregon’s blueprint for meeting both instream and out-of-stream
May 9, 2023 We need your help in lending your voice to the water needs of rivers and fish as part of Oregon’s Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) update. Oregon’s blueprint for meeting both instream and out-of-stream needs, the IWRS is critically important in shaping policies, programs, and budgets for multiple state agencies. First published
Please help Oregon’s rivers by speaking up in support of ODFW’s Water Program! The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) Water Quality and Quantity Program plays a vital role in protecting water in our state’s iconic rivers. Whether it’s reviewing new water right applications to ensure that they won’t harm our rivers, securing new
Last Chance – Please help Oregon’s rivers now and in the future by showing your support for the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Water Program! Just a friendly reminder that ODFW is currently in the process of developing its 2019-2021 budget request. Today, May 1, is the last chance to submit written comments. Please send in
Please help Oregon’s rivers now and in the future by showing your support for the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Water Program! Hi Supporter, The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) Water Quality and Quantity Program plays a vital role in protecting water in our state’s iconic rivers. Whether it’s reviewing new water right
Ask Governor Brown to Close the “Stockwatering” Loophole in Oregon’s Water Laws Lost Valley Farm, Photo credit: Brian Posewitz Oregon’s water laws allow for certain “exempt” uses of water that do not require a permit. These exempt uses are typically smaller in nature – for example, for rural residences or gardens (15,000 gallons of water
Ask Governor Brown to Close the “Stockwatering” Loophole in Oregon’s Water Laws Read More »
Urgent Salmon Alert – Stop HR 3144! Rep. Cathy McMorris Rogers and her allies in Congress are pushing anti-salmon legislation to roll back protections and overturn court decisions that will push salmon and orca closer to extinction. ACT NOW – ASK YOUR REPRESENTATIVES to stop HR 3144 and protect wild salmon and steelhead from extinction.
Please help Oregon’s rivers now and in the future by showing your support for the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Water Program! Hi Supporter, The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) Water Quality and Quantity Program plays a vital role in protecting water in our state’s iconic rivers. Whether it’s reviewing new water right
Help Stop the Water Grab Endangering Klamath Waterfowl! We need your help to avoid another catastrophic die-off of migratory birds in the Klamath Basin. As millions of migrating birds bear down on the Klamath Basin this spring, the wetlands of Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge may be utterly dry. Lower Klamath, the first federally-designated waterfowl refuge
Help Stop the Water Grab Endangering Klamath Waterfowl! Read More »
