Oregon Water Partnership Applauds Gov. Kotek’s Executive Order to Promote Resilience of Communities and Natural Working Lands and Waters

(PORTLAND, OR – October 23, 2025) Governor Tina Kotek released an Executive Order today that aims to accelerate the adoption of strategies and actions to address significant challenges from a changing climate. More frequent and severe drought, declining river health, groundwater depletion and competing water needs threaten the reliability of safe, clean water for Oregon communities, fish and wildlife.

By establishing a clear goal of protecting and restoring an additional 10 percent of Oregon’s lands and waters over the next decade, Executive Order No. 25-26 is an important step forward to increase the resilience and sustainability of Oregon’s communities and ecosystems.

“As Oregon faces hotter, drier summers and more severe droughts, this Executive Order provides a critical framework for building resilience,” said Rachel O’Connor, Director, Resilient Water Systems at Environmental Defense Fund. “By prioritizing data-driven planning and collaboration across agencies and communities, it ensures we’re better prepared to manage scarce water supplies and safeguard the future of the people and landscapes that defi ne Oregon.”

“Governor Kotek’s executive order is a call to action for state agencies to help our communities, rivers, and aquifers adapt to a changing climate,” said Zach Freed, Sustainable Water Program Director for The Nature Conservancy. “This executive order will increase the pace and scale of these eff orts through greater cross-agency collaboration.”

“We commend Governor Kotek for including river protection, restoration and connectivity in this Executive Order,” said Kimberley Priestley, Senior Policy Analyst at WaterWatch of Oregon. “Climate change is inextricably linked to freshwater resources, and this EO sets important benchmarks for Oregon as we work for a sustainable water future.”

“Oregon’s communities need smart water management to ensure access to safe, clean and plentiful drinking water,” said Karen Lewotsky, Water Program Director & Rural Partnerships Lead at Oregon Environmental Council. “This Executive Order promotes a science-based, values-driven approach to enable Oregonians to withstand the pressures and challenges of climate change and to protect and manage Oregon’s vital water resources and natural and working lands.”

“Governor Kotek’s Executive Order to protect Oregon’s lands and waters reflects the kind of leadership Oregonians need to face a changing climate together,” said Dylan Kruse, President of Sustainable Northwest. “Strong, healthy watersheds are the foundation of thriving rural and Tribal communities where nature, people, and local economies flourish together. As part of the Oregon Water Partnership, we’re proud to support the governor's commitment to caring for natural and working lands and waters.

“This Executive Order is a meaningful and forward-looking policy that will make a difference on the ground for places that Oregonians fish, recreate, and live,” said James Fraser, Oregon Policy Director at Trout Unlimited. “We appreciate the Governor’s leadership on this proactive conservation measure.”

“This is an important step to improving stewardship of our shared water supply, for Oregon’s communities today and into the future,” said Stacey Detwiler, Oregon Policy Director at the Wild Salmon Center. “We look forward to working with Governor Kotek’s office, legislators, agency staff, and community members to ensure that water resiliency remains a high priority." 

Oregon Water Partnership is a coalition of seven conservation groups that work together to secure reliable access to cold clean water to sustain healthy communities, livelihoods, and ecosystems. Our members: Environmental Defense Fund, Oregon Environmental Council, Sustainable Northwest, The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, WaterWater of Oregon and Wild Salmon Center.