Oregon Legislature Roundup: Bills for Water Quality and Wildlife

The 2025 legislative season is chock full of bills that will result in water quality protection. Here are some bills Rogue Riverkeeper has been working on this legislative session.

Legislation, Private Forestry, Water Quality, WildlifeKlamath SiskiyouMarch 25, 2025wildlife, beavers, beaver, pollution, Water Quality, legislative, Oregon legislature, bills

Oregon bill seeks to continue support for beavers

Representative Pam Marsh has reintroduced legislation in support of beavers. Now with bipartisan support, including chief sponsorship from Republican Representative Mark Owens, and backing from diverse organizations ranging from Farm Bureau to the Defenders of Wildlife, the “Landowners Living with Beaver Grant Program Fund" bill is now gaining traction in the legislature.

Legislation, Water Quality, WildlifeKlamath SiskiyouFebruary 27, 2025beaver, beavers, Water Quality, wildfire, top story, wildlife, legislative, Oregon legislature, policy

CAMPAIGN WIN: No charter jet boats above Table Rock Road Bridge on the Rogue River!

In a unanimous vote, the Oregon State Marine Board voted to approve its first-ever rules for boat operations on the Upper Rogue River! Click to read more about this campaign success.

Jet Boats, Take Action, Water Quality, Water UseKlamath SiskiyouJanuary 28, 2025Rogue River, upper rogue river, jetboat, jet boat, public hearing, public comment, action, top story, success

UPDATED DECEMBER 2024: OSMB has proposed a rule for jet boats on the Upper Rogue

In response to the ongoing conflicts on the Upper Rogue between user groups and concerns over jet boat impacts, the Oregon State Marine Board has proposed a rule for the future of Upper Rogue jet boat use. Click to read the update on this topic.

Jet Boats, Take Action, Water QualityKlamath SiskiyouNovember 21, 2024jetboat, jet boat, hellgate jetboat excursions, upper rogue river, rogue basin, Rogue River, Water Quality, oregon's kitchen table, okt, action, Take Action, top story

Spawning Chinook Salmon return home to the Rogue Basin!

Middle Rogue tributaries like Bear Creek flowing through Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, Medford and Central Point often have Chinook spawning through the end of October into the beginning of November.

Bear Creek, Events, WildlifeHaleigh MartinSeptember 9, 2024Salmon, chinook salmon, spawning, Events, top story, fall

UPDATED OCTOBER 2024: Upper Rogue Update: Jet Boats & More

This spring and early summer, in response to the ongoing conflicts on the Upper Rogue between user groups and concerns over jet boat impacts, four state agencies engaged with Oregon’s Kitchen Table (OKT) to solicit input on the management of the Upper Rogue River. Click to read the update on this topic.

Jet Boats, Take Action, Water QualityKlamath SiskiyouAugust 27, 2024jetboat, jet boat, hellgate jetboat excursions, upper rogue river, rogue basin, Rogue River, Water Quality, oregon's kitchen table, okt, action, Take Action, top story

There must be something in the water (is it E. coli?)

Every summer, Rogue Riverkeeper offers water quality updates as a free community resource to encourage safe recreation across the Rogue basin. Learn more about what we test for and how we do it.

e. Coli, Swim Guide, VolunteersKlamath SiskiyouAugust 21, 2024top story, water quality monitoring program, Water Quality, water quality standards, Swim Guide, e. coli, Rogue River, rogue basin

The Future of the BLM's Rogue River Management

Five years after Congress designated 120 miles of the Wild Rogue’s tributaries as Wild & Scenic, we are still waiting for the Medford BLM to update the management plan. As part of an update, we are looking to amplify recommendations laid out in the agencies’ own report. Read more.

Clean Water Act Defense, Legislation, Take Action, Water Quality, Water Use, Wild & Scenic Rivers ActHaleigh MartinJune 26, 2024rogue basin, Rogue River, management, blm, bureau of land management, Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, outstandingly remarkable values, orvs, Wild Rogue, wyden, senator wyden

Protection of Riparian Habitats Offers Some of Our Best Chances to Protect the Rogue’s Water Quality

Learn about what makes a “good” vs a “bad” riparian area, and understand Rogue Riverkeeper’s role in riparian area management and advocacy.

Bear Creek, Water Quality, WildlifeKlamath SiskiyouJune 12, 2024riparian, rogue basin, Clean Water Act, Bear Creek, bear creek, Rogue River, Water Quality, wildlife, aquatic, habitat

Beaver Legislation Update

UPDATED: Considering that Oregon is known as the “Beaver State,” regulations are lacking to protect this iconic animal that is present in so many waterways and provides so many ecological and hydrological benefits. Can we, as humans, use our skills to coexist with this essential critter? Proposed HB 3464 will change how Oregonians relate to beavers.

Bear Creek, Stormwater, Take Action, Water Quality, WildlifeKlamath SiskiyouFebruary 6, 2024beavers, beaver, water, water resour, bear creek, streams, legislative, Oregon legislature, testimony, action, Take Action, wildlife

Celebrate Wetlands on World Wetlands Day!

Celebrate World Wetlands Day by learning about the critical role that wetlands play here in the Rogue River watershed!

Clean Water Act Defense, Water Quality, Water UseKlamath SiskiyouJanuary 29, 2024wetland, rogue basin, Rogue River, Clean Water Act rollbacks, Clean Water Act

UPDATED 12/18/23: Proposed Phoenix development to threaten water quality

City of Phoenix Planning Commission approved a a proposed Final Order for the project which includes protection for this spring to allow it to continue contributing cold, clean water for healthy aquatic habitats!

Bear Creek, Take Action, Water QualityKlamath SiskiyouDecember 4, 2023Water Quality, Bear Creek, pollution, water pollution, petition, Take Action, action, top

Blue Heron Creek: A Triumph Amidst Environmental Challenges in the Rogue Valley

In the heart of southern Oregon near the Bear Creek Greenway, a much-needed victory has taken place. Learn more about Blue Heron Creek here.

Bear Creek, Clean Water Act Defense, Water QualityKlamath SiskiyouNovember 22, 2023Water Quality, Clean Water Act rollbacks, Clean Water Act, clean water, streams, Streams, top story, Rogue Riverkeeper, Rogue River, tributary

The Clean Water Act of 2023: Understanding Its Implications and Why Rogue Riverkeeper Stands Watchful

Last week the House Democrats introduced the Clean Water Act of 2023 and we find ourselves at a crucial crossroads for our rivers and water bodies nationwide. Learn more about the CWA of 2023 and what its updates could mean in this blog.

Clean Water Act Defense, Legislation, Take Action, Water QualityKlamath SiskiyouOctober 24, 2023Clean Water Act rollbacks, Clean Water Act, clean water, Water Quality, water pollution, wetland, streams, policy, Oregon legislature

The Importance of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act: A Plea for the Rogue River

The beauty and magnificence of Rogue River has inspired countless visitors to this Wild and Scenic waterway. The Rogue is not just a picturesque landscape; it is vital to the environment, culture, and recreational activities that our communities rely on. It is for these reasons that in 1968, Congress initiated the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act (WSRA).

Klamath SiskiyouOctober 18, 2023

2023 Water Quality Report: Mostly Good, But One Concern Looms

Our 2023 Water Quality Monitoring Program concluded in September. The results? Mostly optimistic! We tested various waterways and recreational spots for E. coli, Oregon's standard for water contact safety, and you can see the results here.

e. Coli, Swim Guide, Water QualityKlamath SiskiyouOctober 4, 2023Water Quality, water quality monitoring program, e. coli, Volunteers, top story, rogue basin, Rogue River, clean water, Swim Guide

Salmon are en route to the Rogue River basin!

Fall is the time that salmon return inland to their natal watersheds from the Pacific Ocean. Read about the salmon lifecycle and see opportunities to get outside with us to spot spawning salmon for yourself!

Events, Bear Creek, WildlifeKlamath SiskiyouSeptember 25, 2023Salmon, Salmon Stroll, Bear Creek, spawning, Rogue River, rogue valley, rogue basin, coho salmon, chinook salmon, top story, Events

UPDATE: August 2023 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Ruling

Your help is needed. On Tuesday, August 29, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in the Sackett v. EPA case that notably shrinks the waters previously sheltered under the WOTUS framework.

Ballots due August 22 for a special election in Gold Hill that will impact the Rogue River

For voters registered in the small town of Gold Hill, ballots for a special election are due on August 22. This special election is to determine if the city of Gold Hill will be annexed into the Rogue Valley Sewer Services district (RVSS). Learn more here.