Oregon’s outdated water laws have long favored extraction over protection, but we have a chance to do something about it — in this legislative session.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 use without any environmental review, which effectively nullifies Oregon’s ability to protect instream values on hundreds of streams across the state.
Under current law, the state can approve water right transfers without considering impacts to streamflows and the fish, wildlife, and water quality they support. Now is the time to close this dangerous loophole and keep our rivers from further harm. SB 427 does just that!
Please support SB 427: Senate Bill 427 would require the state to ensure streamflows are not diminished when reviewing proposed water right changes. The hearing on SB 427 is this Tuesday, Feb. 25th.
Brought by the Oregon Water Partnership (OWP), which WaterWatch of Oregon is a member of, the bill relies on the collective power of our seven OWP statewide conservation groups that have joined forces to tackle Oregon’s toughest water challenges. Please help us by supporting SB 427 today!
There’s more information at this Oregon Water Partnership Senate Bill 427 fact sheet.
Take Action to Support SB 427
Submit written testimony today in support of SB 427 by filling our this testimony submission form (be sure to hit “support”) and either upload a PDF of your comments, or hit the “text” option to write directly into the form.
Written testimony will be accepted until 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27th.However, if you want your remarks considered ahead of the hearing, be sure to submit them by 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25th.
Suggested Messaging
Keep your message simple and to the point. We encourage you to copy and paste the message below, but consider enhancing it with your personal experiences about the value of healthy streams. Adding relatable “customization” strengthens your message and makes it more relatable.
Dear Chair Golden, Vice Chair Nash, and Members of the Committee,
I support Senate Bill 427 to safeguard streamflows in water right transfers.
For far too long, an outdated loophole in Oregon law has allowed the Oregon Water Resources Department to approve applications for water right transfers without adequate consideration of whether the change will harm streamflows. Lower water levels in a stream can hurt fish, impair water quality, and decrease scenic and recreation values.
Senate Bill 427 safeguards our streams — and the fish, water quality, and scenic values they support — by ensuring voluntary water right changes won’t further diminish streamflows. This narrow fix closes a dangerous loophole and brings modern environmental values into Oregon’s outdated water right transfer review process.
I urge your support of SB 427 and the life-sustaining streamflows it will safeguard.
Sincerely,
(your name)
Thank you for your time, and thank you for supporting Oregon’s rivers by speaking up for SB 427!