SALEM – A bill that would allow those with water rights in the Walla Walla Basin to temporarily release those rights to in-stream has been passed by the Oregon House of Representatives and is now headed to the governor’s desk.
Senate Bill 761 has been touted from the start for its collaboration with the state of Washington and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Rep. Bobby Levy (R-Echo) was a chief sponsor of the bill and carried it to the floor. In her speech she mentioned Senate Bill 1567, which was passed in 2024 under the impetus of Sen. Bill Hansell (retired), and how it paved the way for Oregon to work with other stake holders in the basin to help implement the Walla Walla Water 2050 Strategic Plan.
“The Walla Walla water basin is one of the most water stressed areas in the state, and yet it is also home to some of our most collaborative and forward-thinking water users,” said Levy. “This is exactly the kind of protocol and practical place-based water management strategy we should be encouraging across the state.”…