OWRD’s Reimbursement Authority Program provides water users with an opportunity to expedite final action on extension and transfer applications. Through the program, the water user enters an agreement to pay the costs necessary for OWRD to engage outside contractors to conduct OWRD’s review of the application. The benefit is clear. Rather than sitting in a pile indefinitely, the application is reviewed.
If you’re a municipally, however, you shouldn’t plan on utilizing the program for your water permit extension applications. Under ORS 537.230, OWRD is required to consult with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (“ODFW”) prior to approving a municipal extension application that will affect waterways holding sensitive, endangered or threatened fish. Unfortunately, the reimbursement authority program does not extend to the ODFW, which has been reviewing a backlog of municipal extension applications in the Willamette Valley since 2006. OWRD reports that municipal and quasi-municipal Rogue River basin extensions will follow next. Reimbursement authority will not push your application to the top of ODFW’s pile.
