Good News as Oregon Hits Pause on Flawed IWRS Update
Never let it be said your voice doesn't matter. After the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) opted to wholly rework the state's Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) rather than build upon its existing structure, we asked you to urge the OWRD to change course and focus on updating the IWRS to advance water management, climate change, and pathways to meet instream needs. OWRD heard WaterWatch members and paused the process to reconsider the scope of the update, especially as it incorporates new leadership.

Action Alert: Salem Groundwater Meeting Offers Virtual Option
OWRD will host its final public meeting on the agency's proposed groundwater allocation rule revisions this Tues. the 21st in Salem. We need you there — in-person or virtually — to speak directly to the agency about your support for the state's proposal to finally rein in its decades-long pattern of over-issuing water pumping rights. The meeting will be held at the North Mall Office Building at 755 Winter St. NE, but you can attend virtually with these links for the information-session from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and public hearing from 7 to 9 p.m.

WaterWatch Supports Appointment of New OWRD Director
Following a lengthy vetting process, Gov. Tina Kotek announced her appointment of Ivan Gall, a 26-year veteran of the OWRD, to serve as the agency's new director. WaterWatch voiced support for the appointment via an Oregon Water Partnership statement, and WaterWatch senior policy analyst Kimberley Priestley noted in the Capital Press that Gall "has the technical skills and policy know how to bring the agency into the 21st century." Gall's appointment moves to the Oregon Senate for confirmation later this month.

Defending Secondary Water Right on the Crooked River
WaterWatch, represented by Advocates for the West, has intervened in state court to defend against a challenge to the OWRD's issuance of a secondary water right to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to protect water released from Prineville Reservoir for fish and wildlife in the Crooked River. The secondary right is the final step for compliance with the Crooked River Collaborative Water Security and Jobs Act, which mandates the storage, release, and protection of roughly half the water in Prineville Reservoir for downstream fish and wildlife.

New Willamette River Instream Water Right Applications
As the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) notes, all water in Oregon belongs to the public, and a water right is needed to establish legal authorization to use water for a specific purpose. To that end, ODFW announced this week it will submit applications for new Instream Water Rights in the Willamette Basin, with details to be outlined at six public meetings, including a virtual meeting this Wed. the 22nd at 12 noon, and an in-person meeting Thurs. the 23rd at 6 p.m. at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City.

Iron Gate Dam Article Notes Passing of Klamath Advocate
"How we gonna take down the Iron Gate, and let those fish run through?" Jefferson Public Radio covered the ongoing demolition of the Iron Gate Dam — the third of four Klamath River dams now being removed — by noting the passing of Petey Brucker, a Klamath River advocate who was often in attendance at community meetings and became known not only for his commitment to the restoration of the Klamath River, but for a song he wrote and sang with advocates at rallies and events. Read the story here.

Endangered Species Day Wraps Up Week of Oregon Wildlife 
Along with spotlighting several notable birds found at Lake Abert as part of World Migratory Bird Day last week, WaterWatch spent this week featuring threatened Oregon wildlife as part of Endangered Species Week, culminating in Endangered Species Day today. Sadly, the day comes just over a week after the passing of former Congressman Pete McCloskey, who co-authored the landmark 1973 Endangered Species Act and was a founder of Earth Day. A gallery of our Endangered Species Week graphics is at WaterWatch.org.