Oregon’s
Integrated Water Resources Strategy
The Oregon Water Conference
CH2M Hill Alumni Center – Oregon State University
May 24, 2011
Brenda Bateman, Project Manager
Alyssa Mucken, Oregon Water Resources Department
Bruce McIntosh, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Gene Foster, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Stephanie Page, Oregon Department of Agriculture
The Oregon Water Conference
CH2M Hill Alumni Center – Oregon State University
May 24, 2011
Purpose
Oregon’s House Bill 3369 (2009)
•
Directs WRD to lead efforts
to “understand and meet”
Oregon’s water needs.”
•
Partner with DEQ, ODFW,
ODA, other agencies,
tribes, stakeholders, public
•
Account for coming
pressures
Oregon Has Many Water Issues to Address
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Fully allocated streams
Declining aquifers
Approximately 15,000 stream miles impaired
Area-wide groundwater contamination
Fish populations at a fraction of historic levels
Habitat loss, deteriorating infrastructure, etc.
Impaired Waters
Clean Water Plans
Low Summer Flows
Higher Winter Flows
Current Climate
Future Climate Scenario
Water and Agriculture
Irrigated farms produced over 80% of the
total value of Oregon’s harvested crops
Issues facing irrigators:
Climate change
- Growing demands on
water resources
- Endangered species
- Energy costs
- Incentives
- Technical assistance
-
Water and Agriculture
41% of irrigated farms reported improvements
between 2003-2008 to USDA-NASS
Barriers to Greater Efficiency:
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Up-front cost
Difficulty securing financing
Other investments, such as labor saving
investments have quicker payback
Operational costs – energy and labor may go
up even as water use goes down
Awareness of opportunities and incentives
Fish Species
Opportunities to Restore Streamflows
Where are we today?
Phase I:
Setting
the Stage
(Fall 2009)
Phase II:
Identifying
Water Needs
(Early 2010)
Phase III:
Developing
Recommended
Actions
(2010-2011)
Phase IV:
Producing the 1st
Strategy
(2012)
Phase V:
Implementation
& Evaluation
(2012-17)
IWRS Framework
Vision
Goals
Objectives
Critical Issues
Guiding Principles
Recommended Actions
Recommended Actions
How can we meet Oregon’s water needs
today, and into the future?
Next Steps in the Strategy
→ Develop the draft Strategy for public release Fall 2011
→ Vet, revise, and release final version Summer 2012
→ Water Resources Commission notify other Boards
→ Adopt Fall 2012
→ Deliver to Legislative Assembly in 2013, with
recommendations
→ Update every five years
How can you be involved in the Strategy?
 Find information on our website (www.wrd.state.or.us)
 Join the electronic mailing list
 http://listsmart.osl.state.or.us/mailman/listinfo/iwrs
 Send us your thoughts
 waterstrategy@state.or.us
 Alyssa Mucken, 503-986-0911
Thank You!
Questions?