| Headwaters to Ocean (H2O) |
|
|
|
 |
| The Governor's Strategy for Meeting Oregon's Water Needs |
|
Advisory Group recommends two-track strategy
Oregon's waters are an integral part of sustainable communities, a viable state economy and a healthy environment - and they are fundamental to our quality of life. Oregonians recognize the need to manage our waters in a way that protects the unique natural resources of the state in balance with a wide variety of beneficial uses. However, demands for water continue to grow, and we face additional challenges to managing Oregon's water resources from pressures associated with climate change and rapid population growth.
Headwaters to Ocean (H2O) is the Governor's strategy to achieve sustainable water supplies and quality to benefit Oregon's people, communities, environment and ecosystems, and fish and wildlife. To develop this strategy, the Governor convened an H2O Advisory Group, which includes representatives from key stakeholder groups and state agencies, to identify priorities and strategies for addressing water issues in Oregon. The H2O Advisory Group supports long-term planning, while simultaneously addressing very pressing and critical water needs in Oregon communities. The group recommended a two-track approach that involves: 1) initiating long-term investments in planning and data collection, and 2) addressing more immediate water concerns in the areas of water conservation and supply, pollution prevention and reduction, measurement of water use, and ecosystem services.
Sign up to receive updates on H2O through our listserv
|
|
|
| H2O in the Governor's Recommended Budget |
|
$3.3 million proposed for water resource management and investment
The Governor's Recommended Budget for 2009-2011 includes resources to develop an integrated water resources management strategy for Oregon, and investments for water conservation and future water supply needs. While the $3.3 million proposed in the budget does not fund all the recommended actions in the H2O initiative, it is focused on some of the most important recommendations and provides an essential step forward for addressing critical water issues and current and future water needs in Oregon.
INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES STRATEGY
The H2O Advisory Group developed a legislative concept, designed to build upon existing statutory language in ORS 536.220 that directs the Water Resources Department (WRD) to work cooperatively with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on the development of an integrated water resources strategy for Oregon. The Governor's budget includes resources to support this bill, including 2 FTE for WRD and 1 FTE for DEQ to work on development of the strategy and to create a public process for meeting future water needs.
(Approximately $490,000 General Fund)
WATER CONSERVATION AND SUPPLY IMPLEMENTATION
Innovative water conservation and supply projects are necessary for Oregon to be responsive and adapt to the impacts of climate change while protecting surface and groundwater supplies. Building on the feasibility study efforts started under SB 1069, the Governor's Recommended Budget includes $2.5 million in Lottery-backed bonds to complete the first stages of needed infrastructure projects that will eventually restore irrigation to prime agriculture land in the Umatilla Basin. In addition to addressing critical groundwater problems in this area, this aquifer recharge project will result in additional cold water flows in the Umatilla River during summer months, which will benefit fisheries.
($2.5 million Lottery-backed bonds)
WATER QUALITY REVIEW FOR ASR PROJECTS
The Governor's budget includes resources for DEQ to work with WRD, agricultural groups, and other stakeholders to ensure that future aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) and artifical recharge (AR) projects do not result in further degradation of shallow groundwater quality, but rather restore water quantity in depleted deep aquifers, while simultaneously improving shallow aquifer water quality.
(Approximately $196,000 General Fund)
FRESH WATER MANAGEMENT
The Governor's budget includes funds for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to better address water development issues related to the stream flow needs of fish and wildlife. These resources will allow the agency to engage more fully in water right application reviews, assist in resolving water use requests with instream flow needs, and provide analysis to identify ecological flows, channel maintenance, and peak flows necessary for healthy ecosystems.
(Approximately $182,500 General Fund)
|
|
|
| H2O Advisory Group |
|
Key stakeholders and state agencies are represented
Katie Fast, Oregon Farm Bureau
John DeVoe, WaterWatch
Willie Tiffany and Dan Eisenbeis, League of Oregon Cities
Anita Winkler, Oregon Water Resources Congress
Mark Landauer, Oregon Special Districts Association
Bob Levy, Board of Agriculture
Phil Donovan, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Teresa Huntsinger, Oregon Environmental Council
Jeff Stone, Association of Oregon Nurseries
Oregon Water Resources Department
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
|
|
|
|
