SEPTEMBER 2007: FORUM
Water problems are serious and it’s getting worse
THE
AUGUST COVER story [THE
FIGHT FOR WATER] was excellent. As someone who has
represented a number of municipal water and wastewater
organizations at the Oregon Legislature, I and others with an
interest in water policy issues have been struggling to
describe Oregon’s water supply crisis to state
decision-makers for years.
The plain fact is that we are facing a very serious collision
as two significant trends approach an inevitable intersection:
Oregon’s population is projected to increase
significantly over the next 40 years, yet at the same time our
surface water sources are almost entirely appropriated and
groundwater sources are limited in many high-growth areas.
Though the state’s economic and environmental health
depends on sufficient water supply and infrastructure, we still
do not have a strategic statewide plan to address these needs.
The Oregon Water Resources Department has historically been
under-funded and struggles valiantly to do the best they can
under difficult circumstances. We are finally getting some
recognition of the problem, but still need additional resources
to meet these crucial needs. Articles like yours are a huge
help. It should be on the summer reading list for every
policy-maker.
Amanda Rich
Western Advocates, Salem
Have an opinion? E-mail feedback@oregonbusiness.com
