{"id":521,"date":"2023-07-10T16:59:54","date_gmt":"2023-07-10T16:59:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/waterfront\/?p=521"},"modified":"2026-01-29T20:42:55","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T20:42:55","slug":"bi-partisan-efforts-yield-important-wins-for-water-in-oregon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/waterfront\/2023\/07\/10\/bi-partisan-efforts-yield-important-wins-for-water-in-oregon\/","title":{"rendered":"Bipartisan efforts yield important wins for water in Oregon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Oregon\u2019s 2023 legislative session concluded with <\/span>a wide-ranging drought package passing through the House and the Senate, enabling key investments necessary to building a water-secure future for Oregon\u2019s communities and ecosystems. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The investments come at a critical moment as<\/span> climate change is impacting water resources throughout Oregon. The vast majority of the state remains <\/span>vulnerable to drought<\/span><\/a> despite the abundant mountain snow that accumulated this past winter. Persistent drought conditions have <\/span>dried up<\/span><\/a> critical ecosystems like streams and wetlands, leaving endemic endangered species at risk and creating tension in communities. For some Oregonians, turning on the tap means either <\/span>contaminated water or no water at all<\/span><\/a>. The successes of this session are important steps on the path toward addressing these issues.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A $174 M investment in water<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Oregon State Representatives Ken Helm (D-27) and Mark Owens (R-60) led the development of a drought and water security package, which was recently passed by the House and the Senate and included key policies and $174 million in funding. The bi-partisan <\/span>legislative package<\/span>\u2019s<\/span> stated aims are to:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n