The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) invites the public to submit written comments and/or to attend a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Hood Basin Program Rules (OAR Chapter 690, Division 504). A reservation of water for future economic development sets aside a quantity of water for storage to meet future needs. The rules establishing the Hood Basin reservations are set to expire onOctober 17, 2016, unless extended in rule by the Water Resources Commission. A reservation of water does not in itself provide economic benefits to a community; however, it does provide the opportunity to develop water projects for agricultural economic development in the future. Therefore, if these reservations were to expire, there would be no future opportunity to develop water under the reservation.
OWRD will accept written comments on the rules until 5:00 p.m. on June 30, 2016. Under ORS 183.335(2)(b)(G), OWRD is also requesting public comment on whether other options should be considered for achieving the rule’s substantive goals while reducing negative economic impact of the rule on business. More information is provided below and in the attached documents.
Rulemaking Information for OAR 690, Division 504
RULE CAPTION: Updates to Hood Basin Program and Extension of Reservation
SUMMARY: A reservation of water for future economic development sets aside a quantity of water for multipurpose storage to meet future needs. The rules establishing the Hood Basin reservations are set to expire on October 17, 2016, unless extended in rule by the Water Resources Commission. This revised rule would extend reservations of water for future economic development for the West Fork Hood River Subbasin, East Fork Hood River Subbasin, Neal Creek Subbasin, Mosier Creek Subbasin, Eightmile Creek Subbasin and Fifteenmile Creek Subbasin of the Hood Basin for an additional 20 years, and would change reporting requirements that apply to the Oregon Department of Agriculture and Oregon Water Resources Department. In addition, the rules include expansion of classified uses to clarify that the allowable uses include agricultural, commercial, and flow augmentation for instream use; pursuant to ORS 538.200, addition of withdrawal of rivers that form waterfalls; and to address inconsistencies in terminology.
ATTACHMENTS: Attached are copies of:
WEBSITE: The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Hearing, Statement of Need and Fiscal Impact, and the Proposed Rules are also available at: http://www.oregon.gov/owrd/Pages/law/Department_Rulemaking.aspx
HOW TO SUBMIT WRITTEN COMMENTS: You may comment on the proposed rules by sending written comments by 5:00 p.m. on June 30, 2016, to:
Mail: Rule Coordinator, Oregon Water Resources Department, 725 Summer St. NE, Suite A, Salem, OR 97301-1271
Fax: (503) 986-0903, Attn: Rule Coordinator
Email: rule-coordinator@wrd.state.or.us
PUBLIC HEARING: You may provide oral or written comments at either rulemaking hearing, which will take place:
DATE AND TIME: June 22, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Hood River Library, Community Meeting Room, 502 State Street, Hood River, OR 97031
If you have questions, please contact:
Rule Coordinator, (503) 986-0874, rule-coordinator@wrd.state.or.us
Note: The services, programs, and activities of the Department are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities. The Department intends to comply with the ADA. If you are interested and need special accommodations to participate in the public hearings, please contact the Department at (503) 986-0874, at least 48 hours prior to the hearing.rule-coordinator@wrd.state.or.us