National Position 

The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that natural resources should be managed as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems. Resources should be conserved and protected to assure their future availability. Pollution of these resources should be controlled in order to preserve the physical, chemical and biological integrity of ecosystems and to protect public health.

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Agriculture

National Position: Statement of Position on Federal Agriculture Policy, as Announced by National Board, October 1988: The LWVUS believes that federal agriculture policies should promote adequate supplies of food and fiber at reasonable prices to consumers, farms that are economically viable, farm practices that are environmentally sound and increased reliance on the free market to determine prices.

 

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE. Federal policy should encourage a system of sustainable, regenerative agricultural production that moves toward an environmentally sound agricultural sector. This includes promoting stewardship to preserve and protect the country’s human and natural agricultural resources. 

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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. Agricultural research, development and technical assistance should continue to be a major federal function. Resources should be targeted to developing sustainable agricultural practices and addressing the needs of mid-size farms.

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AGRICULTURAL PRICES. The LWVUS supports an increasing reliance on the free market to determine the price of agricultural commodities and the production decisions of farmers, in preference to traditional price support mechanisms.

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AGRICULTURE AND TRADE. U.S. efforts should be directed toward expanding export markets for our agricultural products while minimizing negative effects on developing nations’ economies. Consistent with the League’s trade position, multilateral trade negotiations should be used to reduce other countries’ barriers and/or subsidies protecting their agricultural products.

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FARM CREDIT. Farmers should have access to credit with reasonable terms and conditions. Federally provided farm credit is essential to maintaining the viability of farm operations when the private sector is unable or unwilling to provide the credit farmers need. Of these policies, the League believes the most essential for the future of agriculture are: encouraging sustainable agriculture; providing research, information and technical assistance to agricultural producers; and increasing reliance on the free market to determine prices.

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Air Quality - Adopted May 1968

The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that all segments of society (government, industry, agriculture and individual citizens) must share responsibility for improved air pollution abatement practices.

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1. In more specific terms, the League supports:

   • Adequate standards for control of all sources of pollution and strict enforcement of established rules and regulations;

   • A comprehensive, coordinated program for management of air as a natural resource;

   • Adequate financing for air pollution abatement programs;

   • More research to determine causes and effects of air pollution and methods of control, better coordination of research programs, and increased sharing of information.

2. League agrees:

   • Individuals, too, must recognize their responsibility in abatement programs and be willing to accept restrictions on their own activities, particularly with respect to automobiles and backyard burning.

   • Effective public education programs are necessary if the public is to:

     1. recognize the seriousness of the problem; and

     2. appreciate the necessity to support improved pollution abatement.

   • In general, industry must be prepared to pay the cost of abatement for its own pollution, but members recognize the usefulness of some form of financial incentives:

     1. to assist small or distressed industries; and

     2. to prevent undue delay in obtaining relief from pollution.

     3. The members prefer loans and direct grants over forms of tax relief.

   • Polluters should bear the cost of pollution abatement in proportion to their contribution to the problem. (Actually everyone will pay, whether in taxes, in product cost, or in bearing the consequence of inadequate pollution abatement.)

3. In considering Oregon’s relationship with other governmental units, League concludes:

   • Because both the desirable air quality and the problems of pollution vary from one area to another:

     1. The state has a right to set higher standards for pollution than those set by the federal government.

     2. The state has a responsibility to set higher standards for pollution when local conditions demand it.

     3. Federal standards in all cases should be recognized as a minimum below which state standards cannot be set.

   • As air pollution does not recognize state boundaries, participation in interstate compacts is desirable in order to control pollution on an airshed basis.

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Climate Change

National Position On Climate Change: LWVUS supports a price on carbon emissions that will increase in stages, as part of an overall program to improve energy efficiency and to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy, fast enough to avoid serious damage to the climate system.

 

Revised June 5, 2016:  LWVUS supports aggressive efforts to restore balance to the planet’s climate systems by reducing the atmospheric carbon dioxide to 350 parts per million (ppm), the upper safe limit.  The target set by scientists requires an immediate 8% global greenhouse gas emissions annually; in conjunction with carbon dioxide storage through mass reforestation, and soil management.  Further, we support transitioning off of fossil fuels to alternative forms of energy: wind, hydroelectric, wave, tidal, geothermal, and solar; and prioritizing a just transition to all Americans. In 2016, LWVUS passed 3 resolutions:  LWVUS consider signing onto an Amicus Brief with the 21 youth plaintiffs from Our Children’s Trust; LWVUS support the United States ratification of the UN COP 21 Paris Agreement; LWVUS should continue working for full implementation of the EPA Clean Power Plan, especially at the state level, as a first step, and should call on the White House to implement an updated science-based Climate Action Plan that stabilizes global warming by bringing CO2 levels down to no more than 350 ppm by 2100. 

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Offshore and Coastal Management - Adopted May 1990, 2013

The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes responsible and responsive government management of the public’s coastal and nearshore natural resources shall be based upon:

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1. A complete environmental assessment, cumulative impact analysis, and baseline data specific to Oregon.

2. Recognition of coastal states and local government’s rights, jurisdictions, and responsibilities to preserve and protect marine and coastal environment and economy.
    

Federal government’s offshore activities must be consistent with Oregon’s approved Coastal Zone Management Plan. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports uniformity of regulations governing the coastal management zone, with opportunity for public input. Jurisdictions should have the ability to enhance regulations to better address local conditions. The League supports the development and maintenance of local comprehensive plans and development codes. Funding should be adequate for effective management and enforcement and should come from a variety of sources. The League opposes any revision, interpretation, or application of Oregon’s established marine policy that would diminish Land Conservation and Development Commission Goal 19’s strong environmental and natural resources conservation policy giving clear priority to long-term renewable resource uses. The League of Women Voters of Oregon opposes oil and gas exploration and development within the state’s territorial sea, and requests the state to oppose any federal lease sales within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone off the Oregon coast. The ecological integrity, renewable natural resources, and beneficial uses of Oregon’s ocean water must be protected. The League of Women Voters of Oregon opposes exploration and development of marine minerals within the state’s territorial sea. The League supports academic research that would not adversely affect the ecological integrity, renewable natural resources, and beneficial uses of the state’s territorial sea. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a state policy that calls on the federal government to ban the exploration and development of marine minerals with the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone off the Oregon coast. Should a ban not be effected, the following must be required:
 

1. An unbiased, credible scientific E.I.S. should be completed prior to any offshore mineral exploration or recovery operation.

2. Offshore mineral activities should be evaluated for degradation of the marine environment, risk to ocean fisheries, and coastal erosion problems.

3. A complete socioeconomic impact statement of offshore developments effect on the states and coastal economy should be made.
    

The League of Women Voters of Oregon affirms the public’s right to be completely informed, actively involved and assured the opportunity to participate in decisions about offshore exploration and development, as well as onshore facilities that support offshore development. The League of Women Voters of Oregon endorses adequate industry-financed oil spill contingency funds, compensation funds, and company bonding for marine mineral mining activities to cover claims for damage caused by their operations, onshore support facilities, and transporting vessels. Governments and other claimants should be reimbursed for, but not limited to, the following:
 

1. Oil spill clean-up costs.

2. Loss of natural resources or loss of use of natural resources.

3. Impairment of earning capacity.

4. Damage to real or personal property and personal injury.
    

The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a policy which allows the state to terminate or modify a lease for environmental endangerment or for public safety within the state’s territorial sea. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the creation and operation of marine reserves and protected areas on the Oregon Coast. Siting and management of reserves should reflect a variety of factors, including habitat, species diversity, fisheries and tourism, with sound science being the most critical. The reserves should have identified goals, and continuous funding should come from multiple sources. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports active research into ocean energy technologies. Research should incorporate evaluation of impacts on marine habitats and the coastal economy. Funding should be from multiple sources. Commercial deployment should be allowed only after adequate scientific research is completed and regulations have been adopted. Monitoring should be ongoing with necessary actions and modifications taken to protect the marine environment. Commercial operations should agree to bear the cost of remediating and restoring any environmental damage. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports actions to restore and preserve estuaries to assure they function effectively in the long term. Measures could include additional reserves, streamside protection, planting, removal of invasive species, scientific research, restoration, and response to climate change. Funding should be from multiple sources. Estuary restoration should encourage education and volunteer involvement. The League recognizes that dredging may be necessary to keep deep-water channels open for maritime commerce. Prior to activity, environmental assessments must be completed to ensure protection of habitat. Design and execution should minimize damage to natural habitats. Recognizing that mining affects water quantity, quality, and habitat, mining practices should be strictly regulated to minimize damage and require restoration. In some instances, where preserving water quality and habitat is vital, mining should be banned.

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Energy Conservation - Adopted May 1973; Educational Update 2003*
 

• The members of the League of Women Voters of Oregon support state policies which promote long range planning for conservation and wise development of energy sources. The League believes the public should have an opportunity to influence decisions on the development of particular sources and the citing of specific installations. League supports:

  1. A governmental agency to evaluate power needs estimates and plan source development. This agency should include representatives of:

     1. utility companies,

     2. the general public, and

     3. all levels of government.

  2. Governmental programs to provide public education and information to encourage information participation in all power decisions, both for production and conservation.

• The League believes that in any decision to build a power plant:

  1. The most important consideration is environmental quality;

  2. Of lesser importance, but to be taken into account are:

     1. size of electric bills and prices of goods,

     2. industrial development,

     3. cultural standards.

• The League supports the following conservation measures:

  1. Rate structures encouraging the wise use of energy. To this end League favors:

     1. a low base rate for essential use, above this,

     2. higher rates to discourage waste.

  2. Government funding of research and development efforts to discover new technologies:

     1. to provide efficient methods for energy production and use with minimal environmental damage,

     2. emphasis should be given to renewable resources.

  3. Governmental programs to provide public education and information.

  4. Building codes which will specify standards of design and insulation that minimize waste of energy used for heating, cooling, and lighting.

• The League believes that state or region should be allowed higher standards for nu-clear plants than those set by the federal government.
   

*Updated in 2003 for background information only – no position change.

 

Nuclear Energy - Adopted May 1980

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The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that the nuclear power program must be managed to protect current and future generations and to maintain an environment beneficial to life.
 

1. Technical uncertainties must be publicly recognized and planned for,

2. Responsibility for establishing and maintaining a waste system must not be deferred to future generations, and

3. Effective coordination among all levels of government – federal, state, local – and the private sector is imperative in planning and carrying out programs for transportation, waste storage, and safety, with responsibility and authority clearly designated.

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Forests - Adopted at Convention, May 2021

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The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes:

 

That all benefits of the forests—ecological, human and economic—are inextricably interconnected. Healthy forests are essential to habitat for a diversity of plant and animal life, to the hydrologic cycle, and to carbon storage to mitigate global warming. In addition, healthy forests are essential to a forest products industry with the jobs and goods they provide, and to the economic and aesthetic values of their recreational opportunities. Therefore, The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports:

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Laws and policies to ensure that forest management (for timber extraction, recreation or any other activity) is carried out in a manner that will sustain healthy forests, streams and habitats. The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that the following are essential elements of an adequate forest practices policy:

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1. The public must be informed and involved in the decision-making process in the development of regulations. There must be adequate public notice of forest practices permit applications, hearings, meetings and proposed actions. Public review and comment at each phase of policy and regulation development should be required. Citizens and stakeholders must be represented on the decision-making bodies;

2. ​There must be authority and funding for enforcement of regulations. Existing land use and forest practices regulations must be monitored and enforced, and should be responsive to changing scientific knowledge. There must be coordination of regulations for public and private lands among governmental entities;

3. ​Riparian zones are an integral part of the forest ecosystem and must be regulated adequately to protect the streams and the wildlife dependent upon the streams;

4. ​(stet.) Education should be made available to timber owners on scientifically sound forest practices with the establishment of a small landowners’ agency for this purpose;

5. ​Environmental values of the lands proposed for trade must be considered before the economic values;

6. Trained appraisers, with public oversight, must be used. The right of appeal must be available to the public;

7. ​Full accounting of all costs, including cumulative ecological impacts, of timber harvests and other forest uses must be considered in forest activity decisions;

8. ​Forest management must be responsive to scientific research and knowledge and should include:

• mapping, classification and protection of all streams,

• more and better data—including total watershed analysis,

• evaluation of cumulative effects of various activities in the forest in the consideration of individual forest practice permits, and

• planning for sustainability of forest ecosystems.

  9. ​​The State should consider ecological protections the most important factor in deciding which activities to allow on state forest lands;

  10. Motorized activities should be restricted and in separate areas from non-motorized activities

Forest roads must be built, maintained and decommissioned to have the least impact on the forest ecosystems. Some areas on state lands should be roadless;​

  11. Educate consumers about the human and ecological values of our forests as well as the opportunities and benefits of more efficient use of forest products, recycling and the use of alternatives to wood;​

  12. Fund independent scientific research that would include improved forest practices and ecologically sound alternatives to the use of wood;​

  13. Tax benefits and compensation should be considered to encourage small landowners to manage their forests in an ecologically sustainable manner;​

  14. Oregon schools must be fully funded with less reliance on timber harvests; and​ Trust lands should remain in public ownership. 

 

Hard Rock Mining - Adoption of this position was ratified by the LWVOR Board May 2022. 

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The League of Women Voters of Oregon recognizes society's need for key minerals, and also the potential harmful environmental, health, and human impacts that mining for these minerals can produce.  

Currently there is little hard rock mining in Oregon, and much of Oregon’s topography is not well-suited to mining. However, minerals such as gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, and uranium have been mined in the past, and these and new minerals such as lithium may be mined in the future in Oregon.

Hard rock mining in Oregon is governed by a complex and interconnected set of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and permitting processes, which include provisions for environmental protection, economic evaluation, and reclamation of mining sites.

 

The League supports an approach to the overall regulation and oversight of hard rock mining that will:

 

1. Modify leasing and permitting decision criteria to eliminate the dominance of mineral rights over alternate public land uses, environmental protection, and of ecosystem services such as biodiversity and climate regulation.

2. Improve leasing, permitting, and oversight processes to assure ample opportunities for public disclosure and stakeholder comment.

3. Modernize standards for policy review to ensure adequate protection of health, safety, other industries, air, water, habitats, and ecosystem services, and require mining operations on public lands to comply with all environmental regulations.

4. Establish procedures to protect specific areas of critical environmental concern, for example, by allowing states, political subdivisions, or stakeholder groups to petition to exclude mining in special areas, and/or provide for expedited review of areas that may be inappropriate for mining.

Further, the League would support reforms to federal mining laws and practices that will:

 

1. Effectively repeal the directive in the Hard Rock Mining Law of 1872 that hard rock mining take precedence over all other uses of public lands.

2. Strengthen and enforce mining financial responsibility requirements, so that they (a) compensate taxpayers for industry resource extraction on public lands, by establishing a system of permitting, leasing and royalty fees for domestic and foreign mining exploration, extraction, and revenues; and (b)establish funding mechanisms and procedures to reclaim mining sites, restore ecosystems adversely affected by mining operations, remediate environmental degradation, and provide for long-term monitoring.

Finally, the League supports changes in Oregon's laws and practices that will:

 

1. Strengthen existing statutory provisions for mine operators' reclamation bonds or alternative security, particularly as they relate to long-term site care and monitoring needs and ensure that permits issued by the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries include the costs of department oversight and review.

2. Enhance opportunities for public input concerning mining on public lands, and adopt policies that support and encourage public participation in actions that may impact the State’s environmental resources and local economies.

3. Promote and incentivize recycling programs that reduce consumption and support reuse and recycling of non-renewable virgin metal minerals, in order to reduce the mining and extraction of these materials and to protect and conserve other environmental and natural resources; adopt legislation that establishes metal recycling patterned after Oregon’s E-Cycles Program. Among the objectives of a metal recycling program would be: (a) developing consumer information and education on the economic and environmental value of reuse and recycling of metals; (b) providing free recycling at widely dispersed collection sites throughout the State; (c) promoting state and regional processing sites for refurbishment, recovery, and reuse of metal materials; and (d) funding DEQ administration and monitoring compliance at collection and processing sites.
    

Hazardous Materials - No national position at this time
 

Land Use - Adopted May 1995; Educational Update 2002*

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Citizen Participation

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Citizen participation, education, communication and ongoing reevaluation are essential elements in the comprehensive planning process. Recognizing the need for effective citizen participation, the League of Women Voters of Oregon believes the following factors should be considered in establishing citizen advisory groups in all jurisdictions within the state involved in land use planning:
 

1. Representation on a broad socioeconomic, geographic and occupational basis.

2. Appointment for a specific project with specified goals and terms, and provision for an adequate orientation to the purposes of the agency.

3. Provision for communication among citizens, citizen advisory groups and planning agencies.
    

The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports appointment of Citizen Involvement Committees (CICs), separate from planning commissions, to assist local governing bodies with their citizens’ involvement programs.

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Regional and Urban Growth

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The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports a system of local government based upon constitutional home rule for metropolitan districts, counties and cities. The League recognizes certain principles of good local government. These are:
 

1. Democratic representation and control.

2. Basic simplicity with power to plan for future growth or change.

3. Consideration of the interdependence of land use, transportation and environmental quality in all comprehensive plans.
    

The League supports the establishment of a regional government in an area where planning and delivery of services can be more efficiently and economically provided by such a government.

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Statewide Planning

The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) as the statewide planning agency. We also support the 19 statewide land use goals. The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports policies that promote both conservation and development of land as a natural resource, in accordance with Oregon’s land use goals. Applying this principle, the League believes:
 

• The state should have the prime responsibility for establishing statewide planning goals and for supervising and coordinating comprehensive land use plans, with participation by citizens and by local and regional governments.

• The state, with citizen participation, should identify, regulate and enforce areas of critical statewide concern.

• Consideration of accurate information concerning water availability and quality should be a prime factor when making land use decisions.

• Taxation and assessment policies should support comprehensive land use plans.
   

The League of Women Voters of Oregon supports protection of private property rights commensurate with overall consideration of public health and environmental protection. *Updated in 2002 for background information only – no position change.

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Parks - Adopted January 1999

The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that a parks system is an appropriate function of state government and should provide the following services:

• Acquire, protect and preserve natural, scenic, cultural, historic, and wildlife sites and other resources;

• Provide camping and a variety of other recreational opportunities, consistent with the natural environment;

• Offer interpretive and educational information and programs regarding the history, culture, and natural resources of the state and the features of specific parklands;

• Protect public ownership of beaches;

• Secure affordable and safe access to parks and ocean beaches.

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 PROGRAM. The LWVOR believes that to be effective the Oregon parks system must have:

• Competent personnel in sufficient numbers;

• Clear assignment of responsibility;

• Adequate, stable funding;

• Coordination with different agencies and levels of government;

• Well-defined channels for citizen input and review;

• Consideration of local concerns when consistent with statewide public interest;

• Reasonable protection from crime and vandalism;

• Cooperation and coordination with the private sector when in the public interest; and

• Long-range planning.

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FUNDING. The LWVOR supports a balance and varied mixture of revenues for Oregon’s parks with the General Fund providing basic support for departmental operations. While the LWVOR believes user fees are sometimes appropriate, the League opposes them for non-intensive, brief visits. The sale of annual use permits is encouraged. Other appropriate revenue sources include but are not limited to recreational vehicle and automobile registration fees, lottery funds, and certain specific charges, such and bottle taxes. The Oregon parks system should actively seek donations of land, funds, facilities and services.

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SERVICE PROVISIONS. The LWVOR advocates the efficient provision of services in state parks under state supervision and control. In general, the League is opposed to the private management of parks but supports well-supervised contracts for services with a reasonable return for the Oregon parks system. Use of correction-system and volunteer labor is supported if it is well supervised.

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PLANNING. The LWVOR believes that the Oregon parks system requires a long-range strategic plan that includes periodic evaluation and is adequately funded. Such a plan should give high priority to:

• Preservation and maintenance of existing parks;

• Protection and expansion of public access to ocean beaches;

• Acquisition of additional park resources;

• Provision of campground facilities and day-use areas; and

• Protection of scenic waterways.

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Pesticides and Other Biocides - Study Completed 2021 - Position Adopted 2023

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The League of Women Voters of Oregon affirms that pesticides and other biocides should be managed as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems, and their use should be controlled in order to preserve the physical, chemical and biological integrity of ecosystems and to protect public health, and that agriculture policies should promote farm practices that are environmentally sound and sustainable.

 

LWVOR Supports:

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• Initial pesticide and biocide testing for registration has proven insufficient for preventing harm. We recommend increased testing by governmental agencies and third parties. We must identify and weigh benefits that balance safety versus toxicity, protecting food security while safeguarding public health and the environment.  

• Decisions for testing should be based upon a timeframe between 5 to10 years, or as new scientific data dictates. Varying weather conditions can greatly influence pesticide drift, impacting nearby bodies of water, schools, and communities including agricultural workers. The registrant of the Pesticide or Biocide currently bears the burden of proof for safety however the current regimen of tests is insufficient.

• When approving the use of a Pesticide or Biocide we must consider: Risk to humans, animals, the environment, economic harm, cost to business, impact on food security, and the spread of invasive species and disease.

• Pesticide labels should be improved to include: Regulations restricting use, hazards of use, best practices of use to minimize harm. Labels should be clearly written and easy to see and understand in multiple languages and use graphics to clarify explanations.

• Federal and state agencies bear the responsibility for pesticide policy, based on research by pesticide manufacturers. These government agencies should also contribute to pesticide research with support from other groups.

 

• We support using adaptive pesticide management, focusing on continual observation of current regulatory practice outcomes. As scientific advances reveal environmental and health impacts, as well as impacts on food security, the system should include the ability to rapidly react to new risk assessment data.

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 2019: The League supported SB 853 and HB 3058, which related to pesticides, including prohibiting chlorpyrifos and requiring licensing for neonicotinoids. They did not pass. 

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Seismic Risks - Adopted March 1995

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The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that all levels of government share the responsibility of coordinating, implementing and funding an effective program to mitigate Oregon’s earthquake and tsunami hazards. Priority must be given to mitigation that protects human life and safeguards critical life support systems.

 

The League supports:

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• Educating the public about the grave significance of Oregon’s earthquake and tsunami threat and encouraging preparedness.

• Improving the safety of transportation systems and establishing alternate routes around bridges and overpasses which are likely to be unsafe after an earthquake or tsunami.

• Establishing tsunami warning signals and evacuation routes.

• Evaluating dams that threaten population centers and taking remedial actions, such as reinforcing dams, and developing maps and downstream notification procedures.

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LWVOR supports as essential elements of an effective earthquake and tsunami program:

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1. Comprehensive education efforts:

   • All school children should be taught to understand Oregon’s earthquake and tsunami hazards and how to respond to various situations and conditions that may arise.

   • Schools’ earthquake and tsunami plans, education and drills should be monitored and analyzed for adequacy.

2. Improved preparedness:

   • Federal, state, and local chain of command should be established and fully coordinated. The emergency communication system should be enhanced and regularly tested.

   • Emergency Services should be accessible and housed in safe buildings. Citizens should be encouraged to develop emergency plans, including supply kits.

   • When citing critical facilities, tsunami run up and inundation as well as seismic factors such as severe ground shaking, liquefaction, massive landslide potential, and subsidence should be considered.

   • Geological reports identifying property at risk should be on file and accessible to the public. Property that poses extreme hazards should be designated as unbuildable.

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Solid Waste - No national position at this time.

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Water Policy – Quality and Quantity - Adopted April 2011; Replaced positions on Water Policy and Planning (adopted January 1977; revised March 1985) and Water Quality (adopted January 1969)

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The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that water is a resource that should be managed for the benefit of the public and as sustainable habitat for all life forms. The League supports Oregon state policies and statutes that promote comprehensive long-range planning for conservation and management of ground and surface water and the improvement of water quality. Regulating agencies that govern the protection and conservation of water should be transparent and provide the public easy access to information. The League supports management approaches that maximize interagency communication to include but are not limited to:
 

1. Uniform definitions of “beneficial uses” and other terminology for both quality and quantity management,

2. Coordination of activities including water allocation, measurement, monitoring/ testing, enforcement of water law and the promotion of water conservation,

3. Well-defined statutory enforcement procedures and the funding to protect water resources held in common, and

4. Recognition of the variability of local/basin/watershed quality and quantity needs.
    

The League recognizes the application of historic prior appropriations of water but supports modifications in order to accomplish the following:
 

1. Consider both in-stream and out-of-stream beneficial uses of water,

2. Facilitate changes from one beneficial use of water to another,

3. Provide incentives for water user conservation,

4. Incorporate evolving scientific understanding of natural water systems in waste management,

5. Develop priority uses for water in times of shortage, and

6. Expand protection of in-stream beneficial uses such as minimum perennial stream flow.
    

The League believes that the interdependence of land use planning and water planning must be recognized and required at all levels of government:
 

1. Local comprehensive plans, watershed plans, basin plans, state and regional plans should be coordinated and complementary.

2. Roles and responsibilities of all decision makers and agencies affecting water resource and quality issues should be clearly defined.
    

The League believes that all planning for ground and surface water should include consideration for both the quality of the water and the availability of water to meet the beneficial uses. Planning at all levels should consider existing water rights and current and projected uses. The League acknowledges that this may be best accomplished at the watershed/basin level if adequate funding and professional staffing are available. Basin/ watershed water management should be efficient and economical, responsive to public need, flexible to allow for changes over time, and lead to conservation and allocation of the resource in the public interest. Transfers of water between basins should require coordination with planning and water use in both basins. The League recognizes that effective planning for water protection and use is most effective with a complete inventory of the water resource including all domestic wells and encourages moving toward this goal. Priority efforts should be directed to geographic areas with identified problems and vulnerabilities. The League opposes degradation of all of Oregon’s surface and ground water. The League supports policies and legislation that integrate water quality into resource management and include but are not limited to standards for:
 

1. Potable water and drinking water treatment facilities,

2. Placement and inspection of septic tanks and alternative individual treatment systems,

3. In-stream surface water quality for recreational use, including primary contact sports, commercial and sport fishing, and habitat protection,

4. Ground water quality for recognized beneficial uses,

5. Agricultural, municipal, forestry and industrial wastewater discharge and runoff,

6. Uniform water quality testing protocols– updated as scientific methodologies improve,

7. Permitting and enforcement procedures with agency funding adequate to ensure timely compliance,

8. Adequate, well maintained sewers and sewage treatment facilities and

9. Control and treatment of runoff from non-pervious surfaces.
    

The League recognizes that conservation strategies for surface and ground water, including but not limited to incentives, regulations and rationing in emergency situations, are needed to meet future demand. Individuals, agriculture, municipalities, forestry and industry should be encouraged to develop practices to reduce water usage and minimize pollution. Support should be provided for upgrading and maintaining the equipment necessary for water conservation. The League supports the need to build resiliency and innovation into water planning in order to address climate change impacts. Public involvement should be encouraged throughout the water management and planning processes. The processes should be transparent and include educational components. The League acknowledges that all water users must share in the cost of water management.  Rate payers should have primary responsibility for infrastructure maintenance, delivery and conservation. The state should have primary responsibility for planning, research, data collection and public outreach. Permit fees should be a significant contributor to the development of infrastructure.

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Water Resources of the Columbia River and the Columbia River Task Force Adopted 1979

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1. In order to meet the present and future water needs within the Columbia River Basin, the League of Women Voters believes comprehensive planning on a basin-wide basis for conservation, development, and management of the water is essential to the optimum utilization of our water resources. Machinery is needed which will:

   • Provide coordinated planning and administration among federal, state, and other agencies;

   • Establish a process for resolving conflicts among uses;

   • Establish procedures which provide information and an opportunity for citizen participation in policy decisions affecting the directions which water resources development will take.

2. The federal government has a necessary role in financing water resources development, but state and local governments and private users should share such costs, as far as possible, based on benefits received and the ability to pay.

3. The League of Women Voters believes that wise planning for the use of water in the Columbia River Basin requires an inventory of the water resource within the Basin.

   • This inventory should include all water-related information including:

     1. ground and surface water sources,

     2. viable water rights,

     3. current use, and

     4. projected future needs.

   • The inventory should be readily available to concerned agencies and the general public.

4. The League also believes that minimum stream flows should be established as a public right and maintained on all streams in the Columbia River Basin.