Nash secures Senate win for Walla Walla water rights
Published 4:00 pm Thursday, April 24, 2025
- Sen. Todd Nash and Rep. Bobby Levy answer questions from constituents Sept. 16, 2024, at the Wallowa County Fairgrounds in Enterprise. Nash recently shepherded a bill on water rightss in the Walla Walla Basin through the Senate. It is now in Levy's hands in the House.
Shepherds SB 761 through upper chamber; likely to sail through House
SALEM — Enterprise’s Sen. Todd Nash on Wednesday, April 23, shepherded through a key water management bill in the Oregon Senate that is a continuation of the work of his predecessor.
Former Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, initiated the bill last year to promote long-term water sustainability in the Walla Walla Basin.
The legislation is the result of a collaborative effort involving the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Rep. Bobby Levy, R–Echo, Nash and Hansell.
SB 761 strengthens local water rights and supports vital infrastructure projects that will benefit farmers and anglers in the Umatilla Basin, boosting two of the region’s most important industries, according to a press release.
“Irrigation districts have a unique opportunity to save water through management efficiencies,” Nash said.
Nash is vice chairman of the Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Committee.
“This approach, which reduces water use but still allows for perennial crops, is analogous to only turning on the faucet when you need a drink, rather than letting it run all day,” Nash said.
The bill balances the needs of farmers, irrigators, tribal goals and environmental interests, ensuring the Walla Walla Basin’s water supply remains viable for future generations.
The bill authorizes the Water Resources Department to approve applications by certain water districts within the Walla Walla Basin to lease existing water rights for temporary conversion to in-stream water rights if certain conditions exist and the department makes certain determinations. According to the Legislature’s website, the bill has minimal fiscal impact and no revenue impact.
Nash said SB 761 comes with a companion bill that would provide $2.5 million for irrigation infrastructure.
“There’s going to be continued work on this for some time,” he said.
SB 761 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. As of April 23, it is awaiting its first reading in the House.
Nash is optimistic for the bill’s chances both in the House and once it reaches the governor.
After it got a unanimous vote in the Senate, “I think it’ll go right through” the House. He said he hasn’t discussed it with Gov. Tina Kotek, so he doesn’t know her stance on it.
But, he said, “I have no reason to believe that she wouldn’t support it.”