The Source Water Collaborative (“SWC”) is a group comprised of federal, state and local partners working to protect the source of America’s drinking water in lakes, rivers, streams and aquifers.  The SWC recently launched a new tool, “Your Water Your Decision” designed to help organizations and communities highlight their specific water protection needs to local

The Oregon Water Resources Department recently released a fact-sheet detailing the 2009 Instream Accomplishments. According to the Department, Oregon’s instream program leads the nation with leases or transfers of approximately 1,700 cubit feet per second allocated to instream use for “fish and wildlife, recreation, and pollution abatement.” Consequently, the Department also reports that at least

During the 2010 Special Session of the Oregon Legislature, the House Committee on Environment and Water is considering House Bill 3661.  This Bill proposes to change the current ground water exemption statute: ORS 537.545.  Under the Bill, exempt well water use for single domestic purposes would be limited to an amount not more than 5,000

The Nevada Supreme Court last week put lingering municipal water use applications at risk. See the article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal at: http://www.lvrj.com/news/state-high-court-deals-setback-to-pipeline-proposal-for-southern-nevada-83014557.html. In light of the decision, we recommend municipalities with municipal water use applications filed before 2003 make precautionary refilings immediately (as did the Southern Nevada Water Authority). It is important that

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced new regulation, effective December 18, 2009, of the allowable level of endothall residues in or on commodities.  By establishing tolerances for the level of endothall, the EPA has cleared the way for the use of such products in irrigation and livestock watering. The new tolerances were requested by United

Connecting urban and rural Oregon is a common theme of Oregon Agriculture. The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association recently released the DVD “Land of Contrasts, Ranching’s Commitment to Oregon,” in an effort to communicate with the general public about the values and stewardship practices Oregon ranchers have been using, and continue to use, in managing their lands. 

The Agri-Business Council of Oregon’s annual 2009 Denim & Diamonds Dinner and Auction was a smashing success! Schroeder Law Offices affirmed its commitment to the Agri-Business Council of Oregon and the Keeping Ag Viable program, by being a sponsor of the event as in the past. This year, I was honored to serve as the

On December 12th Laura Schroeder, along with Brent Keith, presented a 5-hour Advanced Water Law Academy in Bend, Oregon.  Held just prior to the opening of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Annual Convention and Trade Show, the interaction with attendees proved to be both educational and entertaining.  During the Academy presentation, materials and topics covered were

The Agricultural Law Section of the Oregon State Bar recently released its 2009 Legislative Report.  The report covers a wide range of legislative developments impacting agricultural interests such as an increase in Oregon state gas tax and title fees, a field burning ban for most of the Willamette Valley, and a bill allowing for utility

This comes from Terry Witt at Oregonians for Food and Shelter: This is a new National Corn Growers Association video on the subject of increased sustainability in agriculture.  It debuted October 3 on the program This Week in Agribusiness. The short video features family farmers telling the story of how better management and modern technology