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SALEM, ORE. - The Oregon Water Resources Commission unanimously recognized three locally developed place-based integrated water resources plans in March and June 2022. In its recognition, the commission acknowledged the importance of the place-based plans in solving critical water issues facing Oregon and reaffirmed a commitment to a partnership approach for a more secure water future. The three partnerships with state-recognized plans are:
- The Upper Grande Ronde River Watershed Partnership, convened by Union County. The planning area closely follows the boundaries of Union County. View the Upper Grand Ronde plan here.
- The Lower John Day Place-Based Partnership, convened by Gilliam County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Mid-John Day Watershed Council. The planning area includes portions of seven counties, extending downriver from the mouth of the North Fork John Day River to the Columbia River. View the Lower John Day plan here.
- The Mid-Coast Water Planning Partnership, convened by Seal Rock Water District. The planning area is comprised of several basins along the coast from Cascade Head to Cape Perpetua. View the Mid-Coast plan here.
Each planning partnership worked with the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) and a variety of state and local partners through a five-step planning process to:
- Form a balanced group and develop a governance agreement.
- Work to understand the surface water and groundwater resources of the area.
- Calculate the water needs of both instream and out-of-stream water interests.
- Identify critical issues and develop strategies.
- Finalize, adopt, and begin implementing the plans.
An interagency team recommended each of the three plans receive state recognition after conducting a review of the plans to evaluate whether they followed and met the criteria to receive state recognition.
Place-based integrated water resources planning is a recommended action of the State of Oregon’s Integrated Water Resources Strategy. OWRD has piloted this collaborative approach to water planning since 2016. The Department’s authority to provide financial and technical assistance for this type of planning sunsets in June 2023 at which time the Department will propose legislation to allow it to continue to support water planning and is working with the partnerships, stakeholders, state agencies, tribes, and others to craft a legislative proposal.
“The plans developed in partnership with the state show an increased understanding of the water situation and a commitment by Oregonians to working together collaboratively,” said Tom Byler, director of the Oregon Water Resources Department. “I’m inspired by what can be accomplished through such partnerships.”
The partnerships are now implementing their plans, which will take significant time, energy, and financial investments by both the state and the local communities to secure a better water future for Oregon. Similar efforts are underway in the Harney Basin as their Community-Based Water Planning Collaborative recently reached consensus and adopted the groundwater portion of their integrated water plan on July 28. With this milestone, the collaborative will work to complete its full plan by the end of 2023.
The Oregon Water Resources Commission provides oversight of the Oregon Water Resources Department, the state agency charged with studying, allocating, and distributing water in Oregon. Visit www.oregon.gov/owrd.
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