Press Release: Lane County Watersheds Bill of Rights Qualifies for May 2026 Ballot

Contact:
Michelle Holman
541-525-9901
mholman@peak.org
www.ProtectLaneCountyWatersheds.org

Eugene, OR — September 1, 2025 — The Lane County Watersheds Bill of Rights has officially qualified for the May 19, 2026 ballot as Measure 20-373, after organizers submitted over 14,000 signatures from Lane County residents. The measure will now go before voters, giving the community the opportunity to decide on stronger legal protections for local watersheds and clean water.

“This campaign shows the deep commitment Lane County residents have to protecting the rivers, streams, and all water sources that sustain life here,” said Michelle Holman, Chief Petitioner and longtime community advocate. “Clean water is not just an environmental issue—it’s a public health issue, an economic issue, and a legacy we owe to future generations.”

Kunu Bearchum, also a Chief Petitioner, added: “Our watersheds are living systems, not just resources to be extracted. By recognizing the rights of all water sources, this initiative ensures that our communities have the tools we need to stand up for clean water, healthy ecosystems, and future generations.”

Why Measure 20-373 Matters

Lane County’s watersheds provide drinking water, irrigation for farms, and habitat for fish and wildlife. Yet these waterways face increasing threats from pollution, overuse, and climate change. The Watersheds Bill of Rights (Measure 20-373) seeks to address these challenges by:

• Recognizing and protecting the rights of rivers, streams, and aquifers to exist, flourish, and regenerate.
• Ensuring that community members have stronger legal standing to defend clean water when it is threatened.
• Creating local authority to set higher protections for water quality than state or federal minimums when needed.

A Community-Driven Effort

The campaign to qualify the measure reflects a broad grassroots effort, with volunteers and community groups collecting signatures across the county. “The overwhelming support we received while gathering signatures makes clear that Lane County residents want clean, safe water prioritized over corporate pollution and short-term profits,” Holman said.

Looking Ahead

If passed in May 2026, Measure 20-373, Lane County would join other communities in the United States and around the world in passing a Rights of Nature citizen initiative.  Advocates believe this step is critical to ensuring long-term resilience in the face of climate change, drought, and industrial pressures.

“This is about protecting the commons we all depend on,” Bearchum said. “Every drop of water that flows through our forests, fields, and taps is part of a living system we must care for. This initiative gives Lane County voters the chance to safeguard that system for generations to come.”