The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) invites the public to submit written comments and/or to attend public hearings on proposed amendments to the:
- Grande Ronde Program Rules (OAR Chapter 690, Division 508)
- Malheur Program Rules (OAR Chapter 690, Division 510)
- Owyhee Basin Program Rules (OAR Chapter 690, Division 511)
The rules establishing the Grande Ronde reservations of water are set to expire February 7, 2017; the Malheur and Owyhee Basin reservations are set to expire on January 7, 2017, unless extended in rule by the Water Resources Commission. A reservation of water for future economic development sets aside a quantity of water for storage to meet future needs, but 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 reservations.
The Department will accept written comments on all three rule amendments until 5:00 p.m. on July 29, 2016. Under ORS 183.335(2)(b)(G), the Department is also requesting public comment on whether other options should be considered for achieving the substantive goals of the rules, 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 508, Division 510 and Division 511
RULE CAPTION:
- Updates to Grande Ronde Basin Program and Extension of Reservations
- Updates to Malheur Basin Program and Extension of Reservations
- Updates to Owyhee Basin Program and Extension of Reservations
SUMMARY: A reservation of water for future economic development sets aside a quantity of water for storage to meet future needs. The rules establishing the Grande Ronde Basin, Malheur Basin and Owyhee Basin reservations of water are set to expire in early 2017, unless extended by rule by the Water Resources Commission. The rule amendments would extend reservations of water for future economic development for the:
- Upper Grande Ronde Subbasin and Middle Grande Subbasin of the Grande Ronde Basin for an additional 20 years, and changes reporting requirements.
- Three Malheur reservations of the Malheur Basin for an additional 20 years, and changes reporting requirements.
- Owyhee reservations of the Owyhee Basin for an additional 20 years, and changes reporting requirements.
In addition, all three rule proposals include expansion of classified uses to clarify that the allowable uses include agricultural, commercial, and flow augmentation for instream use, and to address inconsistencies in terminology.
ATTACHMENTS: Attached are copies of:
- Notices of Proposed Rulemaking Hearings;
- Statements of Need and Fiscal Impact;
- Proposed Rules.
WEBSITE: The Notices of Proposed Rulemaking Hearings, Statements 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: The deadline to submit written comments on the three separate rule proposals is 5:00 p.m. on July 29, 2016. Please send those 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 HEARINGS: You may provide oral or written comments at any of the rulemaking hearings, which will take place:
DATE AND TIME: Grande Ronde Basin Rules—July 27, 2016 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
LOCATION: Cook Memorial Library Meeting Room, 2006 4th Street, La Grande, OR 97850
DATE AND TIME: Malheur Basin Rules—July 28, 2016 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
LOCATION: Ontario Library Meeting Room, 388 SW 2nd Avenue, Ontario, OR 97914
DATE AND TIME: Owyhee Basin Rules—July 28, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Owyhee Watershed Council, 106 Owyhee St., Adrian, OR 97901
If you have questions, please contact:
Rule Coordinator
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.