A Legacy of Cooperative Water Management Honored with the Inaugural Presentation of the 2014 Bob Main Award
The Deschutes River Conservancy (DRC) awarded the first ever Bob Main Award to Kyle Gorman of the Oregon Water Resources Department at the DRC’s 8th Annual RiverFeast dinner.
This award was created in memory of Bob Main (1943-2013) to recognize an individual who is dedicated to shaping innovative solutions to complex water management issues in the Deschutes Basin.
Main was the first individual from the Oregon Water Resources Department to hold a stakeholder position on the Deschutes River Conservancy Board of Directors. Before retiring in 2001, Main was the Region Manager for the South Central Region which includes the Deschutes, the Klamath and Lake Basins.
Main had a passion for water management and collaborative river restoration in the Deschutes Basin and a desire to teach people about the process. Of his many contributions, he notably helped the State of Oregon and Tumalo Irrigation District navigate the first water rights transfer to protect water instream in Tumalo Creek in the 1990s.
As the current South Central Region Manager and a long-time board member of the Deschutes River Conservancy, it was fitting that the first award be given to Kyle Gorman. Gorman has worked for the Oregon Water Resources Department in many capacities since 1990 and thought of Bob Main as a mentor and friend.
“I was honored to be recognized with this award,” said Gorman. “I worked with Bob for over 20 years and in that time, I learned a great deal about cooperative water management, collaboration and the intricacies of Deschutes River management. He was always looked upon as source and wealth of information about many things but especially, the Deschutes River Basin. I have tried to emulate and do the best that I can to carry on this legacy but I know that trying to fill his shoes would be impossible, so I do the best I can and do things that would have made him proud.”
Bob Main’s children, and his wife, Liz, were present for the unveiling of the new award and were very moved to see Main’s legacy recognized.
“We thank the DRC for creating a special award that honors Bob’s vision and legacy. Bob believed all stakeholders need to be at the table to determine the future of the river we love. We are so pleased that the first recipient of this award will be Kyle, in recognition of his work toward this important goal.”
The Deschutes River Conservancy plans to give this award annually to an individual who is passionate about water related issues and dedicated to helping to shape innovative solutions for a greater water management strategy for the Deschutes Basin. The DRC has been working cooperatively with the region’s stakeholders since 1996 to restore over 200 cubic feet per second (cfs) to the rivers and streams of Central Oregon.
For more information about the Deschutes River Conservancy, please visit www.deschutesriver.org.
