The 2013 Oregon Legislature session will begin Monday, February 4. Of over 1200 bills introduced, several expressly or implicitly relate to water use and water management. In particular the Oregon Water Resources Department (“Department”) has introduced several bills related to water management and water use fees. SB 217, introduced by the Department, proposes a water […]
Oregon Water Funding Legislation Read More »
Congratulations to Finegan Farms, winner of the 2012 Agricultural Achievement award from the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce! Finegan Farms is one of Washington County’s most successful family farms, growing sweet corn, green beans, wheat and clover for export to markets around the world. Since the 1950’s Finegan Farms has been carefully passed down through the
Congratulations to Finegan Farms! Read More »
The Portland based conservation group, Oregon Wild, has filed suit against the Bureau of Reclamation alleging BOR has failed to adopt a Biological Opinion that will protect wild coho in the Little Butte Creek Basin. Oregon Wild alleges BOR was to provide the Biological Opinion by March 2010. Since 2003 Oregon Wild has sought changes
Oregon Wild v. BOR Read More »
The following annoucenment was issued by the Bureau of Reclamation on January 4, 2012: The Bureau of Reclamation has reissued for public comment four draft Reclamation Manual releases regarding water-related contracting activities. These draft releases provide definitions of key terms and revise existing definitions for water-related contracts, restructure and clarify Reclamation’s water transfer and conversion
Bureau of Reclamation: Water Contracting Read More »
Improved technology and surveying techniques may lead to the discovery that your water rights are located where believed or are actually authorized on incorrect property. If you are a holder of a water right which incorrectly includes a portion of authorized use appurtenant to land owned by another party (such as a neighbor) or another
Oregon Water Resources Department: Clarification of Water Rights Read More »
It is practically impossible to avoid a new story, article or observations about the economy these days. Commentary on the economy commonly concerns interest rates, the stock market, and the latest moves by the Fed. In the article “Is water the new gold?” author Anthony Mirthaydan addresses the interplay of the demand for clean fresh
Water and the Economy Read More »
Connecting urban and rural Oregon is a common theme of Oregon Agriculture. The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association recently released the DVD “Land of Contrasts, Ranching’s Commitment to Oregon,” in an effort to communicate with the general public about the values and stewardship practices Oregon ranchers have been using, and continue to use, in managing their lands.
The Agri-Business Council of Oregon’s annual 2009 Denim & Diamonds Dinner and Auction was a smashing success! Schroeder Law Offices affirmed its commitment to the Agri-Business Council of Oregon and the Keeping Ag Viable program, by being a sponsor of the event as in the past. This year, I was honored to serve as the
2009 Denim & Diamonds Event Read More »
Irrigation districts have many benefits. But just how much land is required to form one?It is surprising, but Oregon law contains no minimum acreage requirement for irrigation district formation! In the early 1900s when irrigation districts sprang up all over western United States, some in connection with projects constructed by the United States Bureau of
Irrigation District Formation Read More »
The importance of maintaining and protecting water rights is more crucial then ever. Oregon agriculture, supported by valid water rights, has long been the State’s leading sector of the economy. The impacts of Oregon agriculture are felt state and nationwide. A relatively new organization emphasizes the philanthropy of farmers around Oregon. Farmers Ending Hunger is
Farmers Ending Hunger Read More »
Though much of the news out of Salem involves discussion of the budget and shortfalls, the 2009 Legislature is considering some important water bills with an immediate impact on water use in Oregon. The summary below includes three water bills that are of interest. We encourage you to contact your Senator or Representative regarding your
2009 Water Legislation of Interest Read More »
The Oregon Department of State Lands is holding a series of workshops covering the administrative rules pertaining to Removal and Fill permitting. These workshops will be very useful for anyone requiring a Removal-Fill permit within wetlands and waters of Oregon. To see a schedule of the time and place of the workshops please visit http://www.oregon.gov/DSL/docs/removal_fill_rule_hearings_nov2008.pdf
Removal-Fill Training Read More »
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Interior and Commerce published final regulations amending certain aspects of the existing Section 7 consultation regulations under the ESA. The new regulations modify the existing regulations by specifying categories of project-specific actions which do not require consultation with permitting federal agencies. The new regulations are aimed at streamlining
Endanger Species Act: Amended Section 7 Consultation Regulations Read More »
Throughout the fall of 2007, facilitators from Oregon State University, private business and Representative Jackie Dingfelder, Chair of the House Energy and Environmental Committee, conducted a series of roundtable meetings throughout the State of Oregon to discuss Oregon’s current water needs and priorities with water users and citizens of this state. The stated purpose of these meetings was to
Statewide Water Roundtable: White Paper Read More »
The Bureau of Reclamation recently announced they are seeking letters of interest from non-Federal entities throughout the western states to conduct river basin or sub-basin studies. The Bureau is conducting the studies as part of the Water for America initiative. The Basin studies are to be cost-shared on a 50/50 basis with state, tribal and local partners.
Bureau of Reclamation: Water for America River Basin Studies Read More »
Applicants obtain water rights through Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) in a process dictated by statute and rule. There are three general phases to obtaining water rights: Water Right Application Water Right Permit Water Right Certificate The administrative process undertaken by OWRD from the application stage to the certificate stage is detailed and specifically governed by the applicable rules. Because the
Water Right: Application to Certificate Read More »
By Laura Schroeder After Ft Vannoy, permits or appurtenant water right certificates inside irrigation districts or organization are subject to third party determinations. Both landowners and irrigation districts/organizations should take action now to determine their own fates as to those permitted uses and water rights diverted, delivered, and/or in the name of the district or
Implications of Fort Vannoy Read More »
This fall, facilitators from Oregon State University, private business and Representative Jackie Dingfelder, Chair of the House Energy and Environmental Committee, have conducted a series of roundtable meetings throughout the State of Oregon to discuss Oregon’s current water situation with water users and citizens of this state. The stated purpose of these meetings has been to idenitify Oregon’s water
Statewide Water Roundtable: Salem Meeting Read More »
Throughout the arid West, water users, state agencies and federal agencies have constructed reservoirs and ponds of varying size and capacity to store water for a variety of uses. Many irrigation districts or other water delivery organizations have acquired sizable reservoirs that were initially constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation or another federal agency for the
Recreation Contracts: An opportunity for owners of water storage facilities Read More »
Written by Dominic Corollo In early July 2008 the Oregon Supreme Court ruled that the party with an ownership interest in a certificated water right is the party who initiates and completes the statutory steps necessary to acquire the water right and certificate. It is not necessarily the person who physically puts the water to
Irrigation District is Holder of Water Rights Subject to Transfer Read More »
