This website contains up-to-date information and archives for the Southern Willamette Valley Groundwater Management Area, including:
- Print-ready versions of all official documents and reports
- Schedule of upcoming events
- Archives for all the GWMA Committee & sub-committee meetings
- Research reports and graduate student theses
- Press releases and links to media stories
- Contact information for everyone involved in the project
- Volunteer monitoring project information
The GWMA Action Plan
The Southern Willamette Groundwater Management Area Action Plan (PDF-3.6MB) was approved by the Groundwater Management Area Committee on November 9, 2006. See the Action Plan page for more details.
Groundwater Management Area Formation
Groundwater in the Willamette Valley between Eugene and Albany shows signs of contamination by human activities. Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) declared a Groundwater Management Area (GWMA) on May 10, 2004 because of high concentrations of nitrate in the water.
- View a map of the GWMA.
- Read the fact sheet about the declaration.
- Get more detailed background information.
Agency Staff, the GMWA Committee & Working Groups
Staff from DEQ, Lane Council of Governments (LCOG), Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), and Oregon State University Extension Service (OSU Ext) have responsibility for different aspects of the GWMA project. Other agency staff also contribute. See the page for more details.
A Groundwater Management Area Committee was appointed by DEQ to work with staff in the development of a strategic plan to protect and improve the quality for groundwater within the GWMA.
Members of the GWMA Committee represent different groups who could have an impact on groundwater or who may be impacted by its contamination.
Each of the four responsible agencies led a working group: Commercial & Industrial (DEQ); Public Drinking Water (LCOG); Agricultural (ODA); and Residential (OSU Ext). The working groups were composed of a few GWMA Committee members, staff from multiple state and local agencies, and other interested parties.