Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2008OR99B

An exploration of groundwater rights and community-based action in Umatilla County

Institute: Oregon
Year Established: 2008 Start Date: 2008-03-01 End Date: 2009-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $14,442 Total Non-Federal Funds: $28,964

Principal Investigators: Jon Lewis

Abstract: The Umatilla Basin (Oregon) shares a deep basalt aquifer with Washington and Oregon. The groundwater in this region has declined between 400 and 500 feet and the area has been designated as critical causing a suspension of additional wells except those needed for drinking water and irrigation (Oregon Water Resources Department 2003). Limited federal, state, and tribal funding for water resources planning prompted a community-based approach to groundwater management. A Task Force was formed to explore new approaches for managing the sustainability of groundwater and surface water resources. The Task Force is a real life example of a community using similar approaches to the collaborative learning process and conflict management. This grant proposal is to make a documentary film that has been requested by the Outreach Subcommittee for Umatilla County. The film will examine the issues of water that are unique to the basin, and the communication process of the community. Water issues are by far not unique to the basin and it is important to take a close examination of communication process and perspectives. As filmmaker to the project, I am concerned with the ethical consideration of the relationship between the filmmaker to the subject. It is the intention of the film to provide the community with a documentation of the collaborative learning process that is reflective, fair and balanced.