300 Comments Submitted in Support of SB 427
Thank you to all our water advocates who weighed in with testimony in support of Senate Bill 427, which would require the state to ensure streamflows aren't diminished when reviewing proposed water right changes, known as transfers. WaterWatch Senior Policy Analyst Kimberley Priestley testified in support of SB 427 at a Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Committee hearing on Tuesday, and 300 supportive remarks were ultimately submitted to the legislature. There's more on SB 427 at this Oregon Water Partnership fact sheet.

Oregon Needs Science and Data-Driven Water Management
Additional thanks to our WaterWatch members and supporters who offered written and verbal testimony in support of the Oregon Water Resource Department's budget bill SB 5543 at both the legislature's Joint Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee hearing on Feb. 20th, and in email correspondence to legislators. As our climate grows increasingly warmer and drier, Oregon needs effective science and data-driven water management, and OWRD is the state agency tasked with ensuring that smart, responsible water management.

WaterWatch Senior Policy Analyst Comments on Water Bills
With the legislative session in full swing, WaterWatch was quoted in three Capital Press articles this month, including one on HB 3364, which would revise rules for grants used to develop water supply projects, and an article on HB 3419, which would build the water use measurement and reporting toolbox of the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD). Our testimony to ensure public health, groundwater quality, and ecosystems are protected in aquifer storage and recovery projects was also noted in an article on HB 2988.

Limited Number of 40th Anniversary YETI Water Bottles
WaterWatch of Oregon is celebrating our 40th birthday this year, and to commemorate our four decades of advocacy for instream water rights, water policy reform, removal of obsolete dams and fish passage barriers, and sustainable water management in the service of native fish and wildlife, river recreation, and Oregon communities, our limited edition 40th anniversary custom YETI water bottles are now available in four colors: seafoam, black, canopy green, and navy blue. Quantities are limited, so order yours today!

Women's Adventure Film Tour at Aladdin Theater March 9th
Join WaterWatch next Sunday, March 9th, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Aladdin Theater at 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave. for the Portland stop of the Women's Adventure Film Tour, just ahead of the Fly Fishing Film Tour screening later that day. We'll connect with attendees about WaterWatch's 40th anniversary and our ongoing campaigns, and share more on getting involved with WaterWatch in our efforts to preserve Oregon's world-class rivers and fly fishing. Both film tours also stop at the Tower Theatre in Bend on Saturday, March 8th.

Big Turnout for Daniel Coe Event at Portland Filson
We can't begin to express our gratitude to Daniel Coe for such a fascinating presentation on Tuesday at the Portland Filson store, and we encourage you to visit Daniel's website for more on his amazing cartographic art and prints. We'd also like to thank Anna and the Filson team who made their wonderful space available, were patient and generous with their time, provided a spread of food from area establishments, and invited Gigantic Brewing to provide refreshments. Find all our photos from the Daniel Coe event at our Flickr account.