Groundwater Rules Comments Must be Received by 5 p.m.
Written comments in support of proposed groundwater allocation rules are due to the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) by 5 p.m. TODAY. If you've been waiting to write or send them, do so now. And we've made it easy — visit WaterWatch.org for talking points, details, and addresses. The easiest way to submit your remarks is via email, but it's imperative your comments are received by the close of business today. Help rein in the state's decades-long pattern of over-issuing water pumping rights and "defaulting to yes."

Welcome Jesse Robbins to the WaterWatch of Oregon Team
WaterWatch's new full-time development officer Jesse Robbins began work this week after 15 years in the fly fishing industry, with additional service as president of the Redsides Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Springfield and work with Guiding for the Future and Science on the Fly. A graduate of Bates College in Maine, Jesse's thesis focused on regional economic benefits following the removal of the Edwards Dam from the Kennebec River, and his byline has appeared in The Flyfish Journal, The Drake, Modern Huntsman, and other outlets.

Powder River TMDL Approved by Dept. of Enviro. Quality
Thanks to everyone who submitted comments to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) this winter after we sounded the alarm about pushback the agency was receiving in addressing the high level of bacteria in the rivers and streams of the Powder River Basin. We asked DEQ to move forward with adoption of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the river, and we're happy to report it was approved and submitted as required to the EPA. Thank you for your advocacy on the importance of clean rivers for fish, wildlife, and recreation!

Bend Source Editorial Board Endorses Groundwater Rules
Recent remarks by executive director Neil Brandt on groundwater in the Source Weekly must have made an impact on the paper's editorial board as the Central Oregon outlet voiced its support for revisions to Oregon's groundwater allocation rules in last week's issue. According to the paper, "In an era of megadrought and ongoing climate change," new groundwater rules are "the right move on behalf of OWRD" and "long overdue." As noted above, written comments in support of the proposed rules are due to OWRD by 5 p.m. today.

Annual Auction Tickets Go On Sale This Month
WaterWatch's 22nd Annual Celebration of Oregon Rivers returns to the World Forestry Center in Portland's Washington Park on Saturday, Oct. 5th, in our biggest fundraising event of the year. Tickets go on sale later this month with an early bird option for best value. You won't want to miss this year's celebration as we head into our 40th year, and while auction packages are still coming together it's not too early to make your sponsorship commitment. Contact executive director Neil Brandt or development officer Jesse Robbins for details.