Celebrating an enormous response to call for comments on the Deschutes

The biggest decision-point in our lifetimes for the future of the Deschutes River Basin was triggered last fall when irrigation districts submitted a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 

We worked closely with and directly supported the efforts of the community movement 30/30 for the Deschutes to advocate for a healthy river. Overall, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service received more than 1,700 comments from the public asking them to assure that an improved plan for the Deschutes River is developed!

That is a truly staggering number and a true testament to the importance of our high desert river system. We will work hard to make sure that this outcry from the public will not go unheeded.

In the coming months, we will continue to advocate with federal agencies and irrigation districts to improve the HCP as they develop the final draft document.  The final draft Habitat Conservation Plan and final draft Environmental Impact Statement are scheduled to be published in April, to be followed a month later by the agencies’ record of decision and biological opinion.

 As the discussions about the HCP unfold over the next several months, we will keep you apprised of any interesting developments.  Thank you for your support of the River and we ask for your continued vigilance over the coming year. 
 
Stay tuned for further news and ways in which you can help.