I presented this 'concept paper' (translation: I have no data but wish to opine) at the AWRA Annual Water Resources Conference today.
Short answer: 'Yes!'
PPT: Download AWRA_Session67_AWRA2017
PDF: Download AWRA_Session67_AWRA2017
Abstract: 'Draining Oregon', The Oregonian's seminal series of late summer 2016, was an eye- opener for many Oregonians as to the depletion of the state's groundwater. Three of the messages of the series were: 1) Oregon does not know how much usable groundwater it has; 2) groundwater replenishment and withdrawal rates are not well-known; and 3) as a result, groundwater management is wanting. I will not examine the reasons why the aforementioned are true, but will explore groundwater management districts (GMDs) as a means to better steward the state's groundwater resources by enabling Oregonians to assume an active role in groundwater management. To be sure, items (1) and (2) above must be assessed before effective groundwater management can be implemented. The GMD option will focus on the Harney Basin in eastern Oregon, which was featured prominently in The Oregonian's series as an area where groundwater is being depleted. In April 2017 I started working as a volunteer to assist the residents of the basin, who, funded by the Oregon Water Resources Department, are developing a water plan. One suggested proposal is the formation of a GMD, an entity that does not exist in Oregon but can be found elsewhere (e.g., Kansas). I will explore the pros, cons, and viability of the GMD option in the Harney Basin and elsewhere in Oregon.
We had a discussion about data at the session because there were only two speakers. In Oregon we don't know much about our groundwater. There is little money to collect data. In fact, it's my contention that a some (many?) groundwater pumpers don't want to see data collected. They're happy with the status quo. Look at California - you can't even see well logs there. At least we have those online in Oregon.
Oh, yeah. Want to learn something about groundwater? Read this book!
Enjoy!
“The meek shall inherit the earth but not its water rights” – apologies to J. Paul Getty
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