OWRD

Instream: Safeguarding Streamflows in Water Right Transfers

By Kimberley Priestley An unintended regulatory loophole in Oregon’s water transfer laws allow old water rights to serve new uses, move to new diversion points, or change the place of use without any environmental review, effectively nullifying Oregon’s ability to protect instream values on hundreds of streams across the state. Currently, transfer applicants only need […]

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Instream: Bob Hunter Reflects on the Early Years of WaterWatch of Oregon

By Tommy Hough One of WaterWatch of Oregon’s founding board members and long-time staff attorney, Bob Hunter participated with WaterWatch’s founders, Tom and Audrey Simmons, in the early discussions leading up to the organization’s establishment. As part of our 40th anniversary archival project, Instream recently spoke with Bob about the early years of WaterWatch, and the

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Thornburgh Resort Defeat Marks Reprieve for Central Oregon Fish, Wildlife, and Water

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 7, 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For information, please contact:Tommy Hough, WaterWatch of Oregon, tommy@waterwatch.org Thornburgh Resort Defeat Marks Reprieve for Central Oregon Fish, Wildlife, and WaterState agency’s earlier denial of a limited water use license was upheld because the proposed resort would use water far more quickly than it can be

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Thornburgh Resort Site in Central Oregon Hits Another Water Rights Roadblock

By Emily Cureton Cook  |  April 6, 2025  |  Oregon Public Broadcasting A Deschutes County Circuit Court judge recently dealt a blow to plans for the much-contested Thornburgh resort in Central Oregon.  In a March 31st opinion, Judge Raymond Crutchley shot down a petition brought by the developer against state regulators over access to groundwater

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Streamlined Water Rights Dispute Procedures Raise Due Process Fears

By Mateusz Perkowski  |  March 20, 2025  |  Capital Press Two Oregon lawmakers want to streamline how water rights disputes are resolved but the proposal is drawing criticism from organizations representing farmers and environmentalists. The amount of time needed to process certain water rights applications has been the subject of “constant complaints,” but grumbling won’t

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Oregon Proposals Clash Over Water Rights Transfer Reviews

By Mateusz Perkowski  |  March 11, 2025  |  Capital Press Public interest considerations couldn’t weigh on water rights transfers under an Oregon House bill, clashing with Senate legislation that would strengthen environmental reviews of such transactions. Proponents say House Bill 3501 would simply preserve the “status quo,” since state water regulators already don’t consider the

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Irrigator Group Wants More “Teeth” for Aquifer Recharge Proposal

By Mateusz Perkowski  |  Feb. 14, 2025  |  Capital Press  Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill to expedite aquifer recharge projects but a group of irrigators is questioning whether the proposal goes far enough. Under House Bill 2988, state agencies would be directed to “reduce barriers” and expand the practice of recharging aquifers, which included

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Action Alert — Speak Up Now for Critical Investments in Oregon’s Waters!

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 »

Support New Instream Water Rights in the South Willamette Basin by Jan. 16th

Jan. 7, 2025 As mentioned in Currents and elsewhere on the WaterWatch of Oregon website, the final package of new Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) instream water right applications to legally protect natural flows in the basins of the Willamette River includes 98 streams and tributaries now being considered in the South Willamette,

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OSU Study Underscores Need for State Regulation to Avert Economic, Ecological Crisis in Harney Basin

By Alejandro Figueroa  |  Dec. 4, 2024  |  Oregon Public Broadcasting The Harney Basin region in southeast Oregon sits in a semi-arid high desert. Yet, it’s dotted with green circles of water-hungry alfalfa grown for cattle feed. For years, scientists have closely studied the basin to get a more clear picture of just how much

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Private Equity Firm Sortis Backs Thornburgh Resort as it Fights for Central Oregon Water Rights

By Emily Cureton Cook  |  Nov. 25, 2024  |  Oregon Public Broadcasting A planned destination resort draws on deep pockets to battle state regulators in a high-stakes court case. In the witness box of a Deschutes County Circuit courtroom this month, Kameron DeLashmutt told the story of his connection to nearly 2,000 waterless acres near

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Your Support for New Willamette Instream Water Right Applications is Invaluable

Last spring the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announced it had applied for over 260 new instream water rights in the Willamette River system to protect instream flows for native fish and wildlife, including applications in the North Willamette, Mid-Willamette, and South Willamette basins. Public comment for streams and tributaries in the North

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Water Resources Commission Adopts Update to Groundwater Allocation Rules

By KTVZ Staff  |  Sept. 12, 2024  |  KTVZ News The Oregon Water Resources Commission voted unanimously Thursday to adopt updates to Oregon’s groundwater allocation rules, “marking a historic step in how the state manages and allocates groundwater,” according to the agency and its supporters while critics of the new rules said they will press

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Groundwater Rights in Oregon Just Got Even More Valuable — Here’s Why

By Emily Cureton Cook  |  Sept. 12, 2024 |  Oregon Public Broadcasting Oregon water regulators have spent the last three years working on a plan to prevent groundwater declines that could cause roughly 40,000 home wells statewide to dry up. That plan now has a crucial greenlight. The Oregon Water Resources Commission unanimously voted for

Groundwater Rights in Oregon Just Got Even More Valuable — Here’s Why Read More »

Oregon Water Partnership Applauds Adoption of New Groundwater Rules

Sept. 12, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, please contact: Tommy Hough, WaterWatch of Oregon, tommy@waterwatch.org Zach Freed, The Nature Conservancy, zach.freed@tnc.org Oregon Water Partnership Applauds Adoption of New Groundwater Rules Coalition of conservation nonprofits commends state water commission for finalizing long-needed groundwater rules that will better protect drinking water, support farming, safeguard fish

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Water Resources Commission Adopts Amended Groundwater Rules in Unanimous Vote

Sept. 12, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, please contact:Tommy Hough, tommy@waterwatch.org WaterWatch of Oregon Commends State on Finalization of Long-Needed Groundwater Allocation Rule UpdatesRevised rules herald new era of water sustainability, marks conclusion of lengthy process to put state into alignment with mandates set out in Oregon’s landmark 1955 Groundwater Act. Central Point,

Water Resources Commission Adopts Amended Groundwater Rules in Unanimous Vote Read More »

Written Remarks in Support of Revised Groundwater Allocation Rules

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

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WaterWatch Supporters, Staff to Testify in Support of Groundwater Allocation Revisions at Final OWRD Groundwater Meeting in Salem

May 20, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For information please contact: Tommy Hough, WaterWatch of Oregon, tommy@waterwatch.org When Tuesday, May 21st – 5:30 to 9 p.m. (information session to begin at 5:30 p.m., public meeting to begin at 7 p.m.) Where North Mall Office Building 725 Summer St. NE Room 124 Salem, OR 97301 What The Oregon

WaterWatch Supporters, Staff to Testify in Support of Groundwater Allocation Revisions at Final OWRD Groundwater Meeting in Salem Read More »

Oregon Water Partnership Supports Appointment of Ivan Gall as Director of Oregon Water Resources Department

May 10, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For information please contact: Tommy Hough, WaterWatch of Oregon, tommy@waterwatch.org Oregon Water Partnership Supports Appointment of Ivan Gall as Director of Oregon Water Resources Department Oregon Senate to begin confirmation process of 26-year agency veteran at the end of May. Salem, Oregon — The Oregon Water Partnership (OWP) supports

Oregon Water Partnership Supports Appointment of Ivan Gall as Director of Oregon Water Resources Department Read More »

Instream: At Long Last, Revised Groundwater Rules for Oregon

April 18, 2024 By Lisa Brown After an exhaustive and scientifically rigorous process, the Oregon Water Resources Department published proposed groundwater allocation rules reliant upon science and data to implement Oregon’s forward-looking 1955 Ground Water Act — and put Oregon on a more sustainable path to smart, sensible, environmentally-sound groundwater allocation. On March 1st, the

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Declining Aquifer Levels Raise Alarm Among Central Oregon Hydrologists and Officials

By Michael Kohn  |  April 13, 2024  |  Bend Bulletin Amid patches of snow and ponderosa pines, a half mile from Lava Island Falls in the Deschutes River, a pair of hydrologists with the Oregon Water Resources Department dropped a cable down an observation well to determine the depth of groundwater near Bend. The cable

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Comment on the State’s Integrated Water Resource Strategy (IWRS) Update

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

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Oregon Water Partnership Recognizes Progress in 2024 Legislative Session

March 20, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ahead of World Water Day, Oregon Water Partnership Recognizes Progress in 2024 Legislative Session Coalition applauds Legislature’s attention to important water issues during 32-day “short session.”  Salem, Oregon — The Oregon Water Partnership (OWP) applauds the Oregon Legislature’s attention to important water issues during the 32-day “short session,” including

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Court of Appeals Denies Proposed Drift Creek Dam But Water District Intends to Appeal

By Bill Poehler  |  Nov. 17, 2023  |  Salem Statesman Journal The Oregon Water Resources Commission and the Court of Appeals have prohibited the dam, saying it might harm cutthroat trout that spawn in the creek. Oregon’s Court of Appeals this month upheld a previous ruling prohibiting construction of a new dam south of Silverton

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Oregon Water Officials Say Permitting Must Change to Keep Tens of Thousands of Wells from Going Dry

By Alex Baumhardt  |  Nov. 13, 2023  |  Oregon Capital Chronicle The cost of digging deeper wells could climb into the hundreds of millions if the state does not revamp groundwater permitting, officials told lawmakers. The Oregon Water Resources Department must update its 68-year-old rules for permitting new wells or double down on regulating existing

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