Marika E. Sitz

Attorney

Marika E. Sitz

OVERVIEW

Marika E. Sitz helps clients evaluate, obtain, and protect water rights. In her practice, Marika provides practical counsel to help clients achieve their water right goals, including conducting water right diligence, responding to water right regulation, evaluating water use or water right acquisition options, interfacing with state and federal agencies, and developing creative solutions against the backdrop of water shortages and significant limitations on new water development. As part of her practice, Marika monitors water policy discussions and developments to ensure her advice is relevant and responsive to changes in Oregon’s evolving water law landscape.

Marika was born and raised in rural Eastern Oregon but has lived and worked in some of the largest urban regions in the county and in the world, including Beijing, China. This varying experience has given Marika an understanding of the water challenges that are unique to rural and urban settings, and she uses this perspective to inform her work for clients in rural and urban areas of Oregon and Washington.

Prior to law school, Marika led the Oregon Water Coalition, a nonprofit organization focused on fostering a greater understanding about the role of water in agriculture. Marika maintains her commitment to advancing education about the wise use of this critical resource in her practice, and advocates for agricultural, special district, and irrigation district clients to highlight the important role they play in the efficient, sustainable use of water.

In addition to water rights matters, Marika regularly works on special district formation and governance matters and assists clients through all stages of agricultural or restoration-focused property transactions.

Education

  • J.D., University of Oregon School of Law, 2021
    • Environmental and Natural Resources Law Concentration
  • B.A., Human Biology, concentration in Food and Agriculture Systems, Stanford University, 2015

Admissions

  • State of Oregon
  • State of Washington

Membership and Activities

  • Oregon Women for Agriculture (2024-Present)
  • Oregon Water Resources Congress (2021-Present)
  • Eastern Oregon Women’s Coalition, Board of Directors (2017-2024)
  • Oregon State Bar Environmental and Natural Resources Section Executive Committee (2022-2024)

Presentations

  • “Water Rights 101,” Oregon Water Law conference, The Seminar Group, Portland, OR, October 25, 2024
  • “Oregon Storage Water Certificate Transfer Update.” Oregon Association of Water Utilities Annual Management and Technical Conference, Sunriver, OR, March 5, 2024
  • “Oregon Groundwater Allocation Rules Update.” Oregon Association of Water Utilities Annual Management and Technical Conference, Sunriver, OR, March 5, 2024
  • “Water Law 101.” Oregon Water Caucus, presented jointly with Steve Shropshire, February 2024
  • “Water Rights Transfers.” Oregon Water Law conference, presented jointly with Kimberly Grigsby, GSI Water Solutions, Inc., The Seminar Group, Portland, OR, October 27, 2023
  • “Water Rights 101,” Oregon Water Law conference, The Seminar Group, Portland, OR, October 27, 2023
  • “Oregon Groundwater Regulation Developments.” Oregon Association of Water Utilities Annual Management & Technical Conference, Sunriver, OR, March 10, 2023.
  • “Water Issues in Oregon–A policy update,” Oregon Women for Agriculture, February 2022
  • “Water Law 101.” Hermiston Farm Fair, November 2021

RESOURCES

2022 Eastern Oregon Economic Summit

June 16, 2022

The Eastern Oregon Women’s Coalition is hosting the Summit which will include industry tours, speakers, and a series of discussion panels focused on regional economic updates, federal and state legislative updates, program and industry updates, and more.

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Understanding the new climate rules

March 2, 2022

The Climate Protection Program (CPP), Oregon’s new regulatory program starting in 2022, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, achieve co-benefits from the reduction of other non-greenhouse gas air contaminants and improve the welfare of communities of color, tribal communities, communities experiencing lower incomes and rural communities. Attorney Marika E. Sitz explores the mechanics of the CPP and its potential impact on nurseries and other businesses in a recent article published by Digger Magazine.

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Marika E. Sitz Joins Jordan Ramis as Associate Attorney

November 2, 2021

Jordan Ramis PC is pleased to announce Marika E. Sitz has joined the firm as an associate attorney, joining the firm’s Environmental and Natural Resources team.

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