Attorney Sarah Liljefelt presented at Halfmoon’s Water Laws and Regulations seminar on June 7th on the topic of Oregon Groundwater, teaching a group of engineers about groundwater ownership, regulation, and acquisition of groundwater use rights in Oregon. This week, on June 28th, Sarah will present at the Oregon State Bar Environmental & Natural Resources Section’s […]
Oregon Groundwater Presentations Read More »
Water use conditions in the Klamath Basin continue to worsen in 2018. On March 8, 2018, a water “call” was made in the Klamath Basin, and the Oregon Water Resources Department (“OWRD”) began the validation process for shutting off junior water users. Within the week, on March 13th, Governor Kate Brown declared a drought in
Conditions in the Klamath Basin Worsen in 2018 Read More »
In November 2017, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) published the Willamette Basin Review Feasibility Study, Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment (Study). The purpose of the Study (which can be viewed in its entirety here) is to evaluate the reallocation of 1,590,000 acre-feet of Willamette Valley Project stored water. The Study
Study: Willamette Valley Project Reallocation Read More »
Law Clerk Jakob Wiley will be presenting on unitization approaches to aquifer governance at the next Groundwater Advisory Committee (“GWAC”) meeting held June 30, 2017. He will be presenting his research on voluntary aquifer governance agreements, focusing on aquifer governance rather than groundwater management. The approach is the topic of his graduate thesis as part
Collective Aquifer Governance by Contract Presentation Read More »
The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (“ODFW”) filed applications for numerous instream water use rights in the last few months for salmon habitat in the Hood River basin. Instream water use rights in Oregon are held by state agencies for the preservation of a public purpose, like preserving salmon habitat. Beginning in December
Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife files for Instream Rights in Hood River Basin Read More »
The Lander County Commission (“LCCD”) is funding a program for sage grouse enhancement projects and is currently looking for land owners that reside in Lander County (not just ranchers) to participate in a sage grouse project. LCCD first received funding for the project in 2014 when they were granted $50,000 to begin projects benefitting the
Sage Grouse Project Funding Available in Lander County, Nevada Read More »
Last month, attorney Sarah Liljefelt organized a tour of the Whooshh Innovations fish passage structure constructed for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on the Washougal River. Members of the Oregon State Bar Environmental and Natural Resources Section attended, including attorneys in private practice, working for the State of Oregon, and public interest. Whooshh
Flying Fish Passage! Read More »
The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association posted a news release on May 16, 2016 regarding the Permittee Outreach Workshop. This workshop is geared towards Nevada Cattlemen and Cattlewomen who graze cattle on BLM permits. With the listing of the Sage Grouse as “Not warranted” now more than ever it is imperative to establish with state and Federal
Nevada Public Land Grazing Workshop on Sage Grouse Plan Implementation Read More »
On September 18, 2015, the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) and United States Forest Service (“USFS”) issued Records of Decision (“RODs”) related to land management in support of sage grouse populations on lands managed by the agencies. The RODs put land use plans in place in lieu of listing sage grouse under the Endangered Species
Sage Grouse Land Use Plans and Law Suits Read More »
Sage Grouse Conservation without an Endangered Species Act Listing: Digging into the National Greater Sage Grouse Planning Strategy Records of Decision By Sarah Liljefelt and Lucy Page Chesnutt, Schroeder Law Offices, PC Note: this article originally appeared in the Oregon State Bar’s Environmental and Natural Resources Section publication, E-Outlook. On September 18, 2015, in a coordinated effort,
Sage Grouse Conservation Read More »
BLM’s Sage Grouse Plan Collaboration-Implementation is underway. As part of the BLM’s effort to ensure collaboration and engagement during implementation of the sage grouse plans, the BLM is sending out invitations to stakeholders to begin the dialogue. These invitation only meetings will occur on: April 22nd in Salt Lake City, UT April 26th in Boise,
Sage Grouse Workshop Read More »
On August 27, 2015, the USDA unveiled a new plan to help conserve sage grouse habitat, and which many hope will keep the greater sage grouse from being listed under the Endangered Species Act. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vislack announced a four-year plan that will invest $211 Million in conservation funds to help build and preserve
USDA Unveils $211 Million Sage Grouse Conservation Plan Read More »
