In 2023, Washington Wild (WW) worked with partners to successfully designate 958 river miles as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW). With an opportunity to submit another round of nominations in 2025, WW is looking at the next cohort of rivers that merit protection against water quality degradation in Washington State. Through authorizations in the Clean Water Act, state water quality management agencies can designate rivers as ORW. WW is working closely with local partners and Tribes to collaboratively move these nominations forward before final decisions at the end of 2026.
An ORW designation focuses on protecting intact watersheds that are functioning and providing ecosystem benefits like clean water, cold water refugia, salmon habitat, responsible recreational opportunities and tribal treaty rights and lifeways. The designation prohibits any further degradation of a designated river by new pollution sources, with the exception of a handful of special cases for public safety. Additionally, the proposed ORW nominations add water quality protections that increase connectivity for wildlife habitat between other protected lands. Recreational opportunities across these watersheds are plentiful and include hiking, biking, equestrian use, camping, climbing, kayaking, and other paddle sports.
