Good News as Oregon Water Right Improvement Bill Passes
House Bill 3342, which enacts significant reforms to improve water management and water right processing efficiencies, has passed the legislature and is awaiting the governor's signature. Under HB 3342, the state cannot process new water applications if they seek water in protected groundwater areas or from withdrawn streams. Groundwater restricted areas will also be better protected in water right transfer processes, and the bill introduces reforms related to extensions of time to develop a water right, which should help curb water speculation.

Water Bills Still in Play as Legislative Session Winds Down
Heading into the final weeks of the session, the Oregon Capital Chronicle detailed the various water-related bills in play, all of which WaterWatch has played a role in. These include water right transfers, contested case hearing reform, and data collection and access, among others. The need for better management was noted by Rep. Mark Owens: "We look to our river basins [and] groundwater aquifers. We've learned we probably allocated too much water. I mean, bluntly, there's not enough. There's no more water, really, to hand out."

Welcome New WaterWatch Board Member Steve Smith
Having wrapped up a 46-year career as a fishery biologist in Oregon with NOAA Fisheries, the Bonneville Power Administration, and as a self-employed fisheries consultant, we're thrilled to welcome Steve Smith to the WaterWatch of Oregon Board of Directors. After a few years of retirement to recharge his batteries, Steve is ready to apply his expertise and decades of experience to support our ongoing, collaborative work to ensure healthy rivers and fish populations for his sons' and grandkids' futures. Welcome aboard Steve!

WaterWatch Kicks Off Summer at Hollywood Block Party
Join WaterWatch in Portland's Hollywood District on Saturday, June 28th, as we table at the Community for Positive Aging's Summer Block Party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Located along NE 40th Ave. between Sandy Blvd. and NE Hancock St., the block party features live music, family activities, food, community partner tables, and workshops on emergency preparedness from Oregon Volunteers in Disaster and Care Oregon. Stop by and help us kick off summer as we connect with neighbors about WaterWatch's mission and results for Oregon's rivers!

WaterWatch Returns to Oakshire Portland Beer Hall in July
We had a great time at our Oakshire Inspires event in Eugene, so we'd like to invite you to bring your friends, family, colleagues, and fellow water advocates to Oakshire Brewing's Portland Beer Hall at 5013 NE 42nd Ave. in the Cully-Concordia neighborhood on Tuesday, July 15th, as the Portland Oakshire Brewing location welcomes WaterWatch back for another generous Oakshire Inspires event in support of our organization. While the benefit runs throughout the day, we'll be on-site from 4 to 7 p.m. with raffle prizes and more!

Sponsorship Opportunities for 40th Anniversary Event
WaterWatch's 40th Anniversary Party and Annual Celebration of Oregon Rivers will be held Saturday, Nov. 1st, at Castaway Portland, and sponsorship opportunities are available now! Join us as we reflect on four decades of river conservation success, and look toward the next 40 years and beyond. Your sponsorship will contribute to the protection and restoration of Oregon's rivers, and you'll get your brand in front of thousands of WaterWatch members and event attendees. For more information, contact development officer Jesse Robbins.

Robert Macfarlane Appearance at Powell's June 11th
British lyricist, conservationist, and nature author Robert Macfarlane, who just wrote about the removal of the Klamath River dams in the New York Times, will be at the Downtown Portland Powell's this Wednesday, June 11th, to promote his new book Is a River Alive? Known for his projects River and Mountain, as well as his 2019 book Underland, Macfarlane's latest focuses on the personhood of rivers, the critical value of fresh water, the global Rights of Nature movement, and is likely of interest to our WaterWatch community.