Press Release: Stakeholders Weigh In – Why Water Can’t Wait
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Contacts:
Stacey Malstrom, Oregon Environmental Council, (503) 508-7233
Jim McCarthy, WaterWatch of Oregon, (541) 708-0731
Chandra Ferrari, Trout Unlimited, (916) 214-9731
Oregon Lawmakers: Water Can’t Wait
Stakeholders Weigh In on Why Oregon Must Prioritize Smart Water Management
SALEM, OR — Today water resources experts, Tribal leaders, farmers, and environmental advocates told legislators: we must start accounting for how much water we have and how quickly it is being consumed for the security of Oregon’s economy and way of life.
At a public hearing for the Oregon House Committee on Energy and Environment on HB 2705, 2706 and 2707 – Smart Water Management – Oregonians shared their support for three key bills that will help Oregon more sustainably manage our finite water resources for current and future needs.
“Protecting our water resources is central to assuring we have a reasonable supply of water for our drinking water, habitat for fish, and agricultural economy. I urge lawmakers to pass these bills to take basic steps to assess, manage and protect Oregon’s water resources,” said Mary Wahl, fourth generation ranch owner on Oregon’s southern coast.
“I support these three bills because all of them address Oregon’s lack of basic information on water availability and usage. If we don’t have an idea of how much water we’ve got, we can’t possibly know how much we can pump,” said Jean Edwards, Washington County blueberry farmer and WaterWatch of Oregon board member.
“Failure to manage our water wisely in the face of climate change can have dire consequences for salmon and the economy, as can already be seen in the Klamath. These three bills represent an important step in attaining multiple goals: to recover and sustain our fish and wildlife while also supporting a vibrant agricultural sector and growth in our industrial and residential sectors,” said Bob Van Dyk, Policy Director for Oregon and California, Wild Salmon Center.
“Water scarcity affects all of us, putting Oregonians’ drinking water at risk, as well as businesses that drive our economy and Oregon’s iconic rivers. These bills are an important step toward common-sense accounting of our water resources in the face of increasing pressures. Lawmakers must act now for our water future,” said Lori Grant, Water Program Director, Oregon Environmental Council.
A Secretary of State’s Office Audit and numerous climate studies make it clear that Oregon will face increasing demand and less available water for growing communities, businesses, agriculture, native fish and wildlife. Across the state, wells and streams are already going dry at critical times of year because officials have promised more water than nature can provide.
The smart water management bills propose that Oregonians:
- HB 2705: Measure our water use.
- HB 2706: Ensure stable funding for critical management services.
- HB 2707: Identify where and how much groundwater is available.
Protecting drinking water and the health of our rivers, lakes and streams rank among Oregonians’ top concerns in polls across the state, as does ensuring adequate water supply for Oregon’s communities into the future. Without basic accounting of our water resources, it is impossible to reliably and responsibly plan for the seasons ahead.
You can watch and listen to the testimony online.
For additional information about the bills, visit: oeconline.org/smart-water-management
Questions? Read the basic bill summary. Contact us!
###
Oregon Environmental Council (@OECOnline):
Founded in 1968, OEC is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to advancing innovative, collaborative and equitable solutions to Oregon’s environmental challenges for today and future generations.
9
Shifting gears: ODOT seeks input after release of climate change plans and policies
9
Press Release: Oregon’s Dirty Diesel Problem
9
