WaterWatch Defends Drift Creek at State Supreme Court
Oral arguments were heard earlier this month at the Oregon Supreme Court as WaterWatch defended our Court of Appeals win last year that protected an instream water right on Drift Creek, a tributary of the Pudding and Molalla rivers in Marion County. The case resulted from a proposal to build a dam across Drift Creek that would submerge about three miles of the stream and several family farms under a 350-acre reservoir, and harm the migration, spawning, and rearing of steelhead, Coho salmon, Pacific lamprey and cutthroat trout.

Neil Brandt Addresses Presidential Election Aftermath
In a message shared with WaterWatch members and supporters following last week's presidential election, WaterWatch executive director Neil Brandt struck a hopeful tone in spite of the environmental challenges expected from the incoming administration. "Our track record of victories over the last four decades is as impressive as it is lengthy," said Neil. "There's a reason for that. WaterWatch is highly effective at achieving strategic wins and reforms for Oregon's rivers, no matter who occupies the White House."

WaterWatch Reflects on the Passing of an Environmental Giant
The Oregon environmental community is heartbroken over the death of conservation leader Bob Sallinger on Oct. 31st at the age of 57. The executive director of Willamette Riverkeeper and Bird Conservation Oregon, and the former conservation director at the Bird Alliance of Oregon, Bob was known throughout the state as a champion for birds, wildlife, state forests, and leaves an extraordinary legacy. The Oregonian featured an article on Bob's passing in the Nov. 4th issue, including remarks from WaterWatch board member Kaitlin Lovell.

WaterWatch Returns to Portland Patagonia Dec. 19th
Join us Saturday, Dec. 19th, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Patagonia store in Downtown Portland at 1106 W. Burnside St., just across from Powell's Books, as WaterWatch returns to Patagonia to discuss our work to preserve streamflows in Oregon rivers, remove outdated impediments to fish passage, share our 2024 successes and accomplishments, and take part in some holiday tabling as we help gift wrap purchases in recycled Patagonia tote bags — with a few WaterWatch extras included. Visit our Events page for more.

Instream Applications for Upper Willamette Coming Soon
Public comment will begin soon for the next batch of proposed new instream water right applications for Willamette River streams and tributaries in the Upper Willamette, up to and including the river's headwaters near Eugene. Part of an overall package of 269 instream applications for Willamette basins submitted by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife earlier this year, your response to our appeals for support in the northern and middle basins has been fantastic. We'll let you know when the Upper Willamette is online.

Instream: Missed Opportunities in Columbia Treaty Update
As noted in our article on the Columbia River Treaty update in the fall issue of Instream, an agreement in principle announced over the summer was a "major disappointment for U.S. conservation interests, and appears to largely confirm the status quo, with no additional water to augment streamflows for fish." While a proposed flood risk study was never undertaken and ecosystem function wasn't added as a third primary purpose of the treaty, it remains to be seen whether it will be considered by the incoming Trump administration.