Protect and Restore Free Flowing Oregon Rivers

2011 will be a critical year for Oregon's rivers.  The State Legislature is in session and must solve budget shortfalls in many important agency areas including the state water resources department.  This agency is responsible for managing the public's water (we all own this critical resource) and the budget cuts that may come to pass will severely hamper their ability to manage water and enforce the existing rules that protect stream flows and underground sources of cold clean water.

WaterWatch, unlike many conservation organizations, commits significant staff resources to work on legislative issues that protect our water.  Kimberley Priestley is our senior policy analyst with 16 years of experience before the state legislature and the Water Resources Commission.  Kimberley has reviewed dozens of legislative concepts and proposals already this session and her keen eye for detail and her intimate knowledge of the existing rules are often all that stand between a bad idea becoming law.

Additionally, WaterWatch invests resources in a professional lobbyist and this Session has retained Jim Myron, a long-time conservationist and former lobbyist for several state agencies and the former Governor.  Jim is in the halls of the Capitol on a daily basis keeping track of the procedural and political nuances.  The Session will last until June.

Together WaterWatch's Legislative team promotes common sense solutions to Oregon's water issues.

Your gift helps keep this team ready and working hard.

Thank you for your support.

Links:

• A summary article on pending environmental legislation