Oregon’s Integrated Water Resources Strategy Discussion Draft

On December 22, 2011, Oregon’s Integrated Water Resources Strategy (“IWRS”) Discussion Draft was distributed to the public for review and comment. The Discussion Draft’s purpose is to understand Oregon’s water needs and to articulate a strategy to meet those needs in the future. As outlined in Section 42 of House Bill 3369 (2009), the Oregon Water Resources Department was directed to develop an Integrated Water Resources Strategy for Oregon in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Oregon Department of Agriculture.

The Discussion Draft focuses on instream needs as well as out-of-stream needs, including issues of water quantity, water quality, and the ecosystem. Because the issues outlined in the Discussion Draft may affect your interests we recommend reviewing this document, a copy of which can be accessed through the following link: http://www.wrd.state.or.us/OWRD/LAW/docs/IWRS/2011_December_Discussion_Draft.pdf

For additional information regarding the project please visit the project website at http://www.wrd.state.or.us/OWRD/LAW/Integrated_Water_Supply_Strategy.shtml. As outlined on the website, public comments in response to the Discussion Draft will be accepted until Thursday, March 15, 2012. All comments should be submitted by electronic mail to waterstrategy@wrd.state.or.us. Please contact our office at (503) 281-4100 or counsel@water-law.com if you would like assistance with preparing and submitting comments regarding any of the issues outlined in the Draft.

Upcoming events focused on this Discussion Draft include:

(1) Policy Advisory Group Meeting on March 8, 2012 in Salem, Oregon;
(2) August 2012 Water Resources Commission Meeting in Salem, Oregon to consider the IWRS for adoption, with implementation following.

Therese Ure of our office is available to answer any additional questions you may have.