VOLUNTARY INCENTIVES PROGRAM PROTECTS FORESTS AND FLOODPLAINS FOR DRINKING WATER

摘要

The McKenzie River is the sole source of drinking water for more than 200,000 residents of the Eugene, Oregon, area, as well as being the last stronghold for native Upper Willamette River Spring Chinook and Columbia River Bull Trout (Figure 1). The McKenzie River also has high scenic, recreational, residential property, agricultural and forestry value. The river is fed by a large spring system in the upper watershed that provides an excellent source of clean and abundant water throughout the year. The Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB), the region's oldest publicly-owned utility, developed a source water protection program in 2000 to address threats to the McKenzie River. Integrating input from a variety of watershed stakeholders, EWEB designed a comprehensive program to protect the McKenzie River as a reliable source of excellent drinking water.