Rogue Basin Water Action Community – 2023 Kick-Off Event

The Water Action Community flows from the ideas brought forth during SOPA’s Rogue Valley Water Solutions Summit last fall. Water League, which engages the public Water stewardship, is collaborating with SOPA to support the next steps that individuals and action groups can take to make a difference in the Rogue Basin.

More than 200 people, including Indigenous wisdom keepers, panelists from across the state of Oregon, and citizens concerned for the efficient and beneficial use of the Rogue Valley’s water met over the course of the 6-part Water Solutions Summit series.

Four action teams (cohorts) emerged from the summit that are critical to the health and well-being of our valley’s water. The format for February 4 will include an examination of “What is” and “What could be.”

The action-driven cohorts will explore:

• Rights of Nature, Indigenous Perspectives, and the Public Trust Doctrine
• Funding, Legislation, Water Rights, and Water Law
• Equity for Aquifers, Agriculture, Wetlands and Waterways
• Water Equity for Domestic, Industrial, and Commercial Uses

During the Water Action Community – 2023 Launch on February 4, folks can sign up for one or more cohorts they’d like to join and then enter a breakout session during which each team will meet to:

1. Plan its regular meeting schedule,
2. Begin formulating its mission and
3. Brainstorm a few goals (3 to 5) to achieve to pursue that mission.

We seek:

• Greater community ties based on our relationship with water and a better understanding of the Rights of Nature;
• Understanding and adoption of traditional ecological knowledge, and to support water sovereignty for Indigenous Peoples;
• Better communication between the community and their decision makers;
• Actions that result in greater beneficial uses of water and actions that increase water quality;
• Equity for water users who have experienced injustice;
• Protections for water sources such as groundwater, aquifers, headwaters, surface waters, wetlands, springs, lakes, and ponds by use of the Public Trust Doctrine, changes in rules and statutes, implementation of conservation best practices, and enforcement of existing water laws;
• To identify the public interest in all its diversity as it pertains to water with an eye to the public and environmental health, welfare, and safety.

Water League will provide the overall support and organization for the four teams all year long and will be available to attend all team meetings to keep a central hub connection, hear needs and suggestions, and report on related actions of other teams.

If you want to be part of the action and get in league with water, Come join us!