The Rogue Basin Water Action Community 2023 Kick-off Event is scheduled for Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 9 a.m. to Noon at the Medford Library Large Meeting Room, 205 S. Central Ave. The event is free and open to everyone.
The Rogue Basin Water Action Community flows from the ideas brought forth during Southern Oregon Pachamama Alliance's (SOPA) Rogue Valley Water Solutions Summit last fall. 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.
Water League, which engages the public about 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.
Four action teams (cohorts) emerged from the Rogue Valley Water Solutions 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 Kick-off Event 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:
Plan its regular meeting schedule,
Begin formulating its mission and
Brainstorm a few goals (3 to 5) to achieve to pursue that mission.
"The Rogue Basin Water Action Community seeks:
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 its 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 public and environmental health, welfare, and safety."
"Water League will provide the overall support and organization for the four teams all year long. It 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 them!"
For more information contact Christopher Hall, Executive Director of the Water League
PO Box 1033, Cave Junction, OR 97523 oregon.waterleague@gmail.com or (541) 415-8010.
Comments