What is the 100-Year Water Vision?
In 2019, former Governor Brown initiated the 100-Year Water Vision, a community engagement process to elevate water concerns of Oregonians and call for strategic investments to address these challenges. Completed in 2020, the Vision called for Oregonians to “invest strategically in infrastructure and ecosystems across all regions to support resilient communities, vibrant local economies, and a healthy environment for all who live here." Following the release of the Vision, the 2021 Oregon Legislature made historic investments in Oregon's water resources by passing a $538 million water package.
Outreach Summary
During the fall and winter of 2019, the Governor's Natural Resources Office and state agencies listened, learned, and gathered information about the 100-Year Water Vision and its associated goals and problem statements. Individuals and organizations across Oregon could engage in a variety of ways, in person and online. A technical workshop, attended by more than 150 people, helped state agencies better define water data and information gaps. Engagement findings are summarized in the Executive Summary and the Full Engagement Report.
During the outreach process, the nine Sovereign Tribes of Oregon sent a letter to Governor Brown sharing Tribal perspectives on water and noted the importance of Tribal engagement in any water planning process. The Tribes requested the establishment of a Tribal Water Task Force to provide a forum to educate state agencies about Tribal water interests and issues and to educate Tribes about state water-related agencies. The 2023 Tribal Water Task Force Report includes several recommendations for continued engagement.
Our Shared Vision
The participants in the 100-Year Water Vision developed the following Vision:
“To address changes in climate and population dynamics, Oregonians will take care of our water to ensure we have enough clean water for our people, our economy, and our environment, now and for future generations. Oregonians will invest strategically in infrastructure and ecosystems across all regions to support resilient communities, vibrant local economies, and a healthy environment for all who live here."
100-Year Water Vision Document (2020)
Draft Vision Document (2019)
What's Next?
Participants in the Vision process called for the findings to be included in the next update to the Integrated Water Resources Strategy. The Draft 2024 Strategy reflects the 100-Year Water Vision engagement, system and management challenges, opportunities, and call for investments, providing a place for the Vision to be carried forward.
Additional Documents
Governor Brown's Letter to the Legislature - February 2020