Water is important to all Oregonians. It is vital to community well-being, economic development and a healthy environment. The 2012 Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS) recommends that the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) help communities collaboratively develop solutions to address water needs within a watershed, basin or groundwater area. Place-based planning provides an opportunity for people with an interest in water to better understand local water resources and to coordinate efforts so that they are working towards a shared vision of their water future.
Place-based planning provides a framework for communities to understand and meet their water needs now and into the future. It involves a five step process, in which a community will:
- Build a collaborative and inclusive process
- Gather information to understand water resources and identify gaps in knowledge
- Examine current and future water needs for people, the economy, and the environment
- Identify and prioritize strategic, integrated solutions to meet water needs
- Develop a place-based integrated water resources plan
Key Planning Principles:
- Locally-initiated and led collaborative effort
- Voluntary, non-regulatory process
- Includes a balanced representation of water interests
- Conducted in partnership with the state
- Addresses instream and out-of-stream needs
- Looks at water quantity, quality and ecosystem needs in an integrated approach
- Creates an open and transparent process that fosters public participation
- Builds on and integrates existing studies and plans
- Does not infringe on existing water rights
- Adheres to IWRS principles and state laws
Harney County Commissioner Mark Owens testified before the House Natural Resources Committee to make the case to extend funding to place-based planning projects that are currently in process. He serves as convener of the Malheur Lake Basin process, along with the Harney County Watershed Council.
Contributed by: Susan Morgan | Legislative Affairs Manager