Have environmental protections ever gone too far in this country? Who will speak for our natural world? Who will protect the water for future generations? To be a good ancestor, we must protect what’s left.

Vote yes on Measure 20-373, the Lane County Watersheds Bill of Rights, which will support stewardship of essential ecosystems for a healthy environment.

Water is the very foundation of life. Essential. We all live downstream.

Most voters share deep concerns about the future of our natural world. Measure 20-373 aims to protect and prevent further harm to waterways and fragile ecosystems, bringing the public right to clean water directly to protect rights of the river itself.

Legislators know it is time to halt pollution and degradation. Large polluters need regulations. Big businesses will not change their ways until made to do so. Engaging science-based evidence for local watershed protection will help to abate polluters.

Big money is being spent to oppose Measure 20-373. Opponents have focused on instilling fears of massive future litigation and disruption to local water utilities or fire protectors’ work — even while they openly agree that clean, healthy watersheds are very important. What solutions are recommended if not this legislation?

Has public health ever been more important than corporate profits?

Data centers now under development will be water-intensive operations raising a new set of pollution problems including toxic discharge and heat pollution. To meet Lane County Watersheds Bill of Rights criteria, data center developers will need to comply with safe protocols.

We all benefit from protecting our waterways, minimizing introduced toxins. Vote yes on Measure 20-373.

Joan Kleban
Eugene