A Project of the Natural Resources Law Institute Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College


Program Summary

The Columbia River Basin is an immensely rich ecosystem, supplying many human demands. It is also an environmental and cultural treasure for Indian Tribes, the region, and the nation. However, the Northwest has begun to face the reality that its water resources are both limited and imperiled. The Columbia River Basin's future as a healthy and productive community depends on the region's ability to sustain the economic, environmental, and cultural values of the Basin as a whole.

The Northwest Water Law and Policy Project is a grant-funded research and public education organization whose goal is to promote a regional dialogue concerning sustainable use of the Northwest's water resources. The Water Project seeks to promote this dialogue by (1) conducting and disseminating research in key areas of water law and policy through published research studies; (2) publicizing water law reform efforts and furnishing accurate news and analysis through our quarterly newsletter, Big River News; (3) sponsoring conferences on water-related issues in the Columbia River Basin; and (4) developing educational workshops for watershed councils throughout the region.

The Water Project is developing educational workshops for watershed councils to provide information on law and policy issues that affect the work of councils. Two workshops have already been conducted, one in the Yakima River watershed, and the other in the Rogue River watershed. These workshops educated participants on the Endangered Species Act and related issues.

Because the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College is nationally recognized for its expertise on natural resources law and policy issues, the Water Project is able to present workshops that address a variety of subjects. The Water Project does not advocate for any particular group or position and is therefore able to develop workshops that provide an objective analysis of natural resources law and policy.

Contact Information

We welcome your input concerning useful subjects and locations for future workshops.

Please contact:

Michael Fife
Watershed Program Coordinator
Northwest Water Law and Policy Project
10015 SW Terwilliger Blvd
Portland, Oregon 97219
(503) 768-6762
water@lclark.edu