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SALEM, Ore. – Addressing Oregon’s water challenges is an all-hands endeavor – Oregonians are best served when agencies are working toward common goals. Those goals are articulated in the 2025 Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS).
Earlier this month, the Oregon Water Resources Commission adopted the 2025 IWRS, a roadmap for numerous agencies interacting with water to address these issues head-on through coordinated action. You can view the plan online at owrd.info/iwrs.
The IWRS lays out key actions that fit within three priority areas:
- Act with urgency to protect in-stream and out-of-stream uses
- Assist the state and communities to prepare for water scarcity
- Adapt to water scarcity by stretching our water supplies
“It is incumbent upon all of us to embrace creative, new solutions when it comes to water management and take strong action to enhance the resilience of our natural lands and communities,” Governor Tina Kotek said. “The actions laid out in this strategy are critical to achieving our shared goals and advancing water security for all Oregonians.”
This is the third iteration of the IWRS, with the first version being released in 2012. Prior versions have inspired improvements in water resource data collection, management, planning and water project funding.
“Everyone needs cold, clean, and abundant water,” said Ivan Gall, Director of the Oregon Water Resources Department. “As communities grapple with an era of water challenges, we must think differently and act urgently. This strategy strongly supports enhanced data collection, helping us better understand how much water is available, assess water quality, and determine the needs of people and ecosystems most affected by water challenges.”
A key improvement in the 2025 IWRS is clear prioritization of actions, helping agencies with limited resources identify the most promising pathways to progress. It also puts climate change front and center, with concrete actions to help Oregonians mitigate and adapt.
The IWRS incorporates feedback from diverse voices across Oregon. Residents of all 36 counties offered opinions and concerns, including surveys available in nine languages and hosting numerous community conversations.
Oregon’s Tribal sovereign nations were invited to provide their expertise and experience, and the IWRS reflects the priorities the inter-agency team heard throughout the process.
“The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) are very pleased with the updated 2025 Oregon Integrated Water Resources Strategy,” said Anton Chiono, Habitat Conservation Project Leader for the CTUIR. “This roadmap for the future of Oregon’s water management builds upon a strong foundation and is the product of years of thoughtful public input and the tireless dedication of Water Resources Department staff. While the path ahead is challenging, the IWRS will help guide the way to a future that protects our precious water resources for both Oregon’s ecosystems and all the people who depend upon them.”
Two rounds of public comment helped shape the final document, incorporating input from Tribes, communities, organizations, and water users who will be instrumental in the IWRS’ success.
"The Oregon Association of Conservation Districts believes that the IWRS is truly an excellent document that lays out the full range of actions we must take to make sure that our limited water resources serve the full range of beneficial uses as best possible,” said Stan Dean, chair of the advocacy committee for the Oregon Association of Conservation Districts. “Kudos to all who contributed to development of the IWRS. The biggest challenge moving forward will be finding sufficient funding and resources to take the actions that we need to take."
At OWRD, next steps include developing a workplan with partner agencies to begin taking action on IWRS recommendations. The agency will continue to offer opportunities to weigh in as these plans take shape.
To learn more about the Strategy, visit owrd.info/iwrs.
About the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD): The Oregon Water Resources Department works to assure sufficient and sustainable water supplies are available to meet current and future needs. The agency administers laws governing management and distribution of Oregon’s surface and groundwater resources. For more information, visit oregon.gov/owrd.
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