Make Your Voice Heard for the Future of Oregon Groundwater!
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 isn’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 can help protect this vital resource for all Oregonians. Submit written public comment before May 31 or join one of five in-person meetings across the state. Speak up and help OEC protect our groundwater from unsustainable overuse.
What’s at stake?
For decades, Oregon groundwater laws have failed to protect this vital resource from overpumping. As water demand continues to grow – due to factors like long-term drought, increasing industrial and agricultural needs, and population growth, to name a few – supply continues to decrease. The result is more domestic wells across our state left high and dry.
In the face of increasing public concern, the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) decided to step up to the challenge, and protect groundwater from this unsustainable overuse. Some are worried that these rules will curtail municipal water growth or economic development. However, OEC and others worked to build flexibility and place-specific considerations into these rules. The result is a solid state-wide framework – based on science, good data and transparent implementation – for managing groundwater use going forward.
How can I help?
The 1955 Groundwater Management Act was intended to protect existing water rights holders, and ensure this public resource is sustainably managed. By revising groundwater rules to align with current science and protect the resource from overuse, OWRD will live up to these goals.
After a robust, two-year long revision process – involving many public meetings around the state, an inclusive rulemaking committee, and hundreds of hours of background research and technical support – OWRD is prepared to move forward with adopting these new rules.
But the last step of the process is also the most important: public comment.
Your participation in this part of the process is essential. To ensure an informed, participatory citizenry, OWRD staff will be holding four public meetings across the state to present the new rules, and then take public comment from the floor. The meetings will take place in Bend, La Grande, Central Point and Salem.
For all the details on where and when to make your voice heard, head here. If you’re unable to attend in person, email your written comment to OWRD by May 31.
Why it’s important to act NOW!
Oregon needs to act now to protect groundwater – for today, and for generations to come. Adopting these new rules will ensure that we issue new groundwater rights only if the implementation of those rights will not impair the aquifer and will not harm existing users. Unsustainable groundwater use hurts ecosystems, economics, and safe access to drinking water. It’s a statewide problem, from Harney County to Junction City in the Willamette Valley. Many streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands are dependent on groundwater to retain their functionality.
OWRD proposed rules will:
Prevent unsustainable use by new permit-applicants where we don’t have data
Account for groundwater and surface water interactions to preserve ecosystems
Clearly and transparently define metrics for sustainability
If adopted, the rules will only apply to new groundwater permits. Current permit holders and exempt domestic wells will remain exempt.
OEC played a key role in developing the new rules proposed by OWRD. As a member of the rule-making advisory committee, our participation helped prioritize the use of science-based metrics and sustainability. These considerations provide flexibility in face of a changing climate, growing economy and shifting demographics.
Help us safeguard Oregon’s precious groundwater. Show up to your region’s OWRD meeting for public comment.
All information sessions and the hearings will be recorded and posted online within 48 hours. If you can’t attend the meeting in-person, tune into a virtual meeting on May 21. Sign up for the information session here, and the public hearing here.
Please take the time to support flexible, sustainable, science-based rules for managing our groundwater resources – now, and into the future.
OEC’s work to advance meaningful, lasting environmental progress is made possible by people across the state who care about safeguarding Oregon’s future.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2023Media Contact:
Patty Wentz, patty@wentzjackson.com
503-970-7929
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Make Your Voice Heard for the Future of Oregon Groundwater!
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 isn’t visible to the naked eye: they’re under our feet.
Right now, big changes are on the horizon for Oregon groundwater. You can help protect this vital resource for all Oregonians. Submit written public comment before May 31 or join one of five in-person meetings across the state. Speak up and help OEC protect our groundwater from unsustainable overuse.
What’s at stake?
For decades, Oregon groundwater laws have failed to protect this vital resource from overpumping. As water demand continues to grow – due to factors like long-term drought, increasing industrial and agricultural needs, and population growth, to name a few – supply continues to decrease. The result is more domestic wells across our state left high and dry.
In the face of increasing public concern, the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) decided to step up to the challenge, and protect groundwater from this unsustainable overuse. Some are worried that these rules will curtail municipal water growth or economic development. However, OEC and others worked to build flexibility and place-specific considerations into these rules. The result is a solid state-wide framework – based on science, good data and transparent implementation – for managing groundwater use going forward.
How can I help?
The 1955 Groundwater Management Act was intended to protect existing water rights holders, and ensure this public resource is sustainably managed. By revising groundwater rules to align with current science and protect the resource from overuse, OWRD will live up to these goals.
After a robust, two-year long revision process – involving many public meetings around the state, an inclusive rulemaking committee, and hundreds of hours of background research and technical support – OWRD is prepared to move forward with adopting these new rules.
But the last step of the process is also the most important: public comment.
Your participation in this part of the process is essential. To ensure an informed, participatory citizenry, OWRD staff will be holding four public meetings across the state to present the new rules, and then take public comment from the floor. The meetings will take place in Bend, La Grande, Central Point and Salem.
For all the details on where and when to make your voice heard, head here. If you’re unable to attend in person, email your written comment to OWRD by May 31.
Why it’s important to act NOW!
Oregon needs to act now to protect groundwater – for today, and for generations to come. Adopting these new rules will ensure that we issue new groundwater rights only if the implementation of those rights will not impair the aquifer and will not harm existing users. Unsustainable groundwater use hurts ecosystems, economics, and safe access to drinking water. It’s a statewide problem, from Harney County to Junction City in the Willamette Valley. Many streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands are dependent on groundwater to retain their functionality.
OWRD proposed rules will:
If adopted, the rules will only apply to new groundwater permits. Current permit holders and exempt domestic wells will remain exempt.
OEC played a key role in developing the new rules proposed by OWRD. As a member of the rule-making advisory committee, our participation helped prioritize the use of science-based metrics and sustainability. These considerations provide flexibility in face of a changing climate, growing economy and shifting demographics.
Help us safeguard Oregon’s precious groundwater. Show up to your region’s OWRD meeting for public comment.
All information sessions and the hearings will be recorded and posted online within 48 hours. If you can’t attend the meeting in-person, tune into a virtual meeting on May 21. Sign up for the information session here, and the public hearing here.
Please take the time to support flexible, sustainable, science-based rules for managing our groundwater resources – now, and into the future.
OEC’s work to advance meaningful, lasting environmental progress is made possible by people across the state who care about safeguarding Oregon’s future.
Make a difference. Become a member of OEC today.
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