Make Your Voice Heard for the Future of Oregon Groundwater!

wetland in the malheur national wildlife refuge with dry grass and clouds in the blue sky
When you think about water in Oregon, you might think about the Rogue River, Pacific Coast or Malheur Lake. However, some of the most important bodies of water in our state aren't visible to the naked eye: they're under our feet. Almost 90% of our state’s public water systems rely at least in part on groundwater ecosystems. Snow and rain collect into aquifers made of underground layers of sand, fractured rocks and other permeable materials, forming the groundwater so crucial to Oregon communities. Right now, big changes are on the horizon for Oregon groundwater. You ...

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A Natural Vision for Water Part 4: Investing in Our Future

Prineville wetlands project - built ponds of water spread out on the landscape next to the natural path of a river.
The fourth part of our Natural Vision for Water series outlines HOW to invest in natural infrastructure as the foundation for thriving Oregon communities.

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A Natural Vision for Water Part 3: Advancing Health and Environmental Justice

Sign on fence post reading, "Irrigated with recycled water".
Inclusive natural infrastructure planning can advance health, justice, and community power. But how do we get there?

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A Natural Vision for Water Part 2: Co-Benefits of Natural Infrastructure

In collaboration with Willamette Partnership and the Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies, OEC recently published a report demonstrating the benefits and opportunities associated with investing our state’s water infrastructure dollars in nature-based solutions. This post is the second of a four part series on the benefits and opportunities of natural infrastructure. OEC, Willamette Partnership, and our partners are working to shift policy to prioritize natural infrastructure solutions in community projects around the state. Read our full Natural Infrastructure ...

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A Natural Vision for Water Part 1 – Common Natural Infrastructure Challenges, Opportunities for Action, and Case Studies

A new report from Oregon Environmental Council and Willamette Partnership demonstrates the opportunity to invest in natural infrastructure as a solution to Oregon’s infrastructure challenges.

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Hold The Salt: Options For Keeping Your Sidewalk Ice-Free

Winter weather in Oregon can be unpredictable. With this latest cold snap, it is time to start thinking about how we combat snow/ice on our sidewalks and driveways. The cost of so much salt Salt is used in many parts of the country because it lowers the freezing temperature of water and therefore can help accelerate the melting process of snow and ice. However, after it’s spread on roads or sidewalks, all of that salt has to go somewhere, and most of it washes into the storm sewer and gets deposited into the nearest river.  There, it can harm freshwater fish, ...

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April showers bring…floods?

flooding
April is bringing more than a few showers this year! Record-setting rains in Eugene are adding to floods along the Willamette River far later in the spring than is typical. We can expect more flooding in the years to come, as climate change delivers sea level rise, more intense storms and higher winter stream flows. For OEC, this means encouraging communities across the state to invest in ways to manage stormwater. This means keeping toxic stuff off our streets, out of rivers and—ultimately—protecting our the drinking water. Rain behaves differently when it runs ...

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Protecting a sacred resource

While the Dakota Access Pipeline has brought the rights and traditions of Native people into the national spotlight, preserving the integrity of this sacred resource is not a new challenge for Northwest tribes. 

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2017 Legislative Wrap – Important Strides Made

Heading into the 2017 legislative session, we knew it would be difficult to make major strides, given the significant revenue shortfalls facing the state. We were right. It was a tough run, but fortunately we did make important strides. Here is a quick update of the bills OEC worked on and our results. Transportation for Oregon’s Future (HB 2017) Our biggest success! The transportation package includes the largest statewide investment in public transit that Oregon has ever seen. It also includes Safe Routes to School, bike and pedestrian paths, electric vehicle ...

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OEC Celebrates Scientists: Amy Patton

“Clean water is a naturally renewable resource. However, once contaminated, it becomes very hard to get back to a usable state. Our clean water is so valuable, and protecting it must be a priority.”

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