Amy Gulick Presentation at Clackamas REI March 5th
Join WaterWatch of Oregon at the Clackamas Town Center REI on Tuesday, March 5th, at 6 p.m. as we welcome award-winning nature photographer and author Amy Gulick for a special evening of photos and stories from her book The Salmon Way: An Alaska State of Mind. The Clackamas REI is located just west of I-205, exit 14, via Sunnyside Road. Due to time limitations the presentation will begin at 6 p.m., so we recommend you arrive early to find a seat. We look forward to seeing you! RSVP here if you plan on attending.

WaterWatch Prevents Damaging New Groundwater Permit
Following opposition from WaterWatch, the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) has denied a significant new groundwater right of almost 17 cubic feet per second, or cfs, it initially proposed to approve in the Malheur Lake Basin in 2016, despite the agency being unable to determine if water was available. An updated groundwater review found groundwater levels have declined in the area, prompting the agency's revised determination that water is unavailable within the capacity of the resource.

Dismissal Looms Over Winchester Dam Owners' Lawsuit
A lawsuit filed by the Winchester Water Control District (WWCD), i.e. the owners of Winchester Dam, awaits a judge's decision after a hearing last week. State regulators initially found the Winchester Dam reservoir is storing 91 acre-feet more water than allowed under the dam's water storage claim. When asked by regulators to come into compliance, WWCD instead filed a lawsuit to overturn application of state water law and carve out a special rules exemption for Winchester Dam. State regulators have asked the court to dismiss the case.

Comment Period for Integrated Water Resources Strategy
March 5th marks the start of the initial public comment period for the state Water Resource Department's Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) draft. Intended to guide agency planning and budget requests, identify water concerns, and promote workable solutions amidst our rapidly warming climate, the state requires the IWRS to be updated every five years. Register now at our WaterWatch Action Alert page so you don't miss talking points or concerns we may need to share as part of the comment process. More to come!

Partnership Aims to Bring Water Policy Into 21st Century
As detailed in the inaugural edition of Currents, WaterWatch is proud to serve as one of the seven organizations of the Oregon Water Partnership, working together to bring state water data into the 21st century, support smart water management, protect and restore Oregon's rivers and aquifers, and build resilience for Oregon waterways in the face of climate change and drought. Visit the new website for the Oregon Water Partnership for more on the coalition's work and achievements thus far.

WaterWatch Represented at Environmental Conference
Communications manager Tommy Hough will represent WaterWatch of Oregon in a panel discussion on working with journalists and spokespersons next Thursday, Feb. 29th, at an environmental communicators "mini-conference" at the University of Oregon to kick off the 42nd annual Public Interest Environmental Law Conference (PIELC) that weekend. The event will be held at the Erb Memorial Union (EMU) at 1395 University St. in Eugene. The conference is open to the public, though there is a suggested contribution.