Is Western Water Law Sustainable?
January 15, 2014: Noon to 1:15 pm
Three experienced water law practitioners shared their perspectives on whether Oregon’s water law is sustainable to meet future water supply needs. Janet Neuman, Senior Counsel at Tonkon Torp LLP and former professor and co-director of the Natural Resources Law Institute at Lewis & Clark Law School provided an overview of western water law and Oregon’s unique provisions for allocating and protecting public waters. Martha Pagel, shareholder with Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt and former Director of the Oregon Water Resources Department, made the case for sustainability under Oregon’s existing legal framework, focusing on market-based incentives for re-allocating supply and restoring in-stream flows. John DeVoe, Executive Director of WaterWatch of Oregon, Inc., discussed the need for additional regulatory tools to address depleted stream flows, protect fish and aquatic resources, and ensure adequate resource protection in developing new sources of supply.
Details:
Date/Time: Wednesday, January 15, noon to 1:15 pm
Location: Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, 19th Floor, PacWest Center, 1211 SW Fifth Ave, Portland, Oregon (validated parking available)
Lunch: brown bag
Cost: No cost for SFS members, $10 at the door for others
Phone: If you must participate by phone, let Ms. Pangburn know by email, and she will send the call number and pass code.
Materials:
- Is Western Water Law Sustainable? by Martha Pagel, Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt
- Seven Key Points on Western Water Law by Janet Neuman, Tonkon Torp LLP
- The Oregon System of Water Rights by Janet Neuman (excerpts), Tonkon Torp LLP