Central Oregon Landwatch worked collaboratively to protect the groundwater of the Deschutes Basin and draw attention to the need to protect the Basin's sacred cold-water springs. We defeated an initial proposal from the Central Oregon Cities Association and the Central Oregon Irrigation District that would have weakened protections for the aquifer on which we all depend.
We then led a coalition of conservation organizations in negotiations with the Cities, Irrigators, and Legislators to establish protection for the area’s cold water springs. Previously, the Water Resources Department had ignored impacts of the Deschutes Basin Mitigation Program on spring systems such as the Metolius Headwaters and Alder Springs. Due to our amendment, the Water Resources Department will now report on any such impacts and return to the 2013 Legislature with a policy package option necessary to improve protections even further.
Our work produced tangible protections for the area’s groundwater without hampering prospects for needed economic recovery in Central Oregon. We will continue to work with the Department, the Cities, Irrigators, and conservation partners to assist with the passage of additional reforms in 2013.
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