Who are We?

The Illinois Valley Watershed Council (IVWC) was created by residents of the watershed in 1994, and is a community organization that promotes voluntary actions to improve the health of the watershed.  The Council was originally formed due to initial concerns of agriculture regulations and the listing of threatened fish species, namely the Coho Salmon.  The activities of the Council are guided by our mission statement, bylaws, and policies.

The primary goals of the IVWC include sharing information, coordinating restoration and protection actions to help address watershed management issues in the Illinois Valley, reducing the duplication of activities, and providing a framework for coordination and cooperation among key interests.  Council membership is open to any person who owns land or lives in or is an agent of lessee of a property owner in the Illinois Valley watershed and its tributaries.  The Council earned 501(c)3 non-profit status in 2014, and currently a Board of Directors of 14 members from diverse interests and geographic regions of the watershed serves as the decision-making body.

Mission of the Illinois Valley Watershed Council

The Illinois Valley Watershed Council shall promote and sustain the health of the Illinois Valley Watershed.  Stewardship, restoration, education, community involvement, and strategic partnerships are the tools we use in pursuit of this purpose.

What is a Watershed Council?

Oregon’s watershed councils emerged from House Bill 3441, which passed in 1995.  Under this resolution, watershed councils must be locally organized, voluntary and non-regulatory.  Watershed Councils are part of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, which is an effort to recover threatened and endangered salmon and steelhead populations and to meet federal water quality standards.  More information is available through the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.