This article was published on: 05/30/18 11:50 AM
Artwork by Susan Luckey Higdon
The state of Oregon has released its 2017 Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS). The purpose of the strategy is to “bring various sectors and interests together to work toward the common purpose of maintaining healthy water resources to meet the needs of Oregonians and Oregon’s environment for generations to come.”
The DRC applauds and supports the state’s efforts to strengthen its understanding of water resources, and to coordinate with agencies and communities to plan for our present and future community and ecological needs.
The strategy highlights and supports:
- Improved measurement and understanding of surface and groundwater resources
- Further definition of instream and out of stream needs/demands
- Understanding and planning for impacts and needs related to climate change and drought
- Support for place-based efforts to manage water resources
The DRC is heavily invested in many of these actions in the Deschutes, including ensuring that sufficient flow is restored to our rivers and streams and commitment to a place-based approach to water management. The DRC looks forward to continued partnership with the state on these issues.
Click to view a full draft of the IWRS.