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SALEM, ORE. - The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) is pleased to announce that the draft of Oregon’s Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) is now open for initial public review and comment. In partnership with the state’s other water-related agencies, OWRD led the development of the comprehensive strategy that outlines a statewide inter-agency framework to address both instream and out-of-stream water needs.
The IWRS is a way to better understand and meet Oregon’s different water needs. First adopted by Oregon’s Water Resources Commission in 2012, followed by an update in 2017, the strategy is updated every eight years (previously every five years) as directed by Oregon Revised Statute (536.220). Many water-related state agencies use the IWRS to act on and make decisions about Oregon’s water.
In partnership with Oregon’s Kitchen Table, OWRD conducted public outreach in May and June 2023 to understand Oregonian’s perspectives on water challenges and priorities. Around 1,990 Oregonians participated in small community conversations and an online survey, helping to shape the new draft strategy.
“The IWRS has been, and continues to be, important guidance for state agencies and others to take actions that help us meet the water needs of both current and future generations,” said Racquel Rancier, deputy director of the Oregon Water Resources Department.
“The strategy recognizes that water is at the foundation for all that we care about as Oregonians – and that for us to succeed in our work, we must integrate the various aspects of water management. This includes programs that focus on sufficient clean water for people to drink, grow food, maintain their health, and produce goods and services, while also recognizing the spiritual, cultural, and recreational values of our streams and rivers and the habitats they provide. The third edition of the IWRS seeks to better integrate equity considerations into the recommended actions, as water is essential to us all. We invite all Oregonians to engage in shaping our water future by providing their valuable feedback during this public comment period.”
After the current public comment period, OWRD will carefully consider feedback and make necessary revisions, at which point OWRD will hold a second public comment period before refining and finalizing the strategy. The final IWRS will guide Oregon’s water management efforts for the next eight years.
How to Get Involved
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Submit Comments: Visit our website to access the draft and provide feedback. Comments can be submitted online, by email or by mail.
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Stay Informed: Sign up for GovDelivery notifications to receive updates on the IWRS.
The Oregon Water Resources Department is the state agency charged with studying, allocating, and distributing water in Oregon. Visit www.oregon.gov/owrd.
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