The DEQ has determined that certain stream segments in the Upper Klamath and Lost River subbasins do not meet state water quality standards. DEQ has identified water quality problems associated with temperature, nitrogen, phosphorus and biochemical oxygen demand, or “BOD.” Under the guides of the Federal Clean Water Act, the DEQ has developed a plan […]
The Oregon Water Resources Department recently released a fact-sheet detailing the 2009 Instream Accomplishments. According to the Department, Oregon’s instream program leads the nation with leases or transfers of approximately 1,700 cubit feet per second allocated to instream use for “fish and wildlife, recreation, and pollution abatement.” Consequently, the Department also reports that at least
2009 Oregon Instream Accomplishments Read More »
During the 2010 Special Session of the Oregon Legislature, the House Committee on Environment and Water is considering House Bill 3661. This Bill proposes to change the current ground water exemption statute: ORS 537.545. Under the Bill, exempt well water use for single domestic purposes would be limited to an amount not more than 5,000
Oregon Legislature Considers Changes to Exempt Well Rules: House Bill 3661 Read More »
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced new regulation, effective December 18, 2009, of the allowable level of endothall residues in or on commodities. By establishing tolerances for the level of endothall, the EPA has cleared the way for the use of such products in irrigation and livestock watering. The new tolerances were requested by United
New EPA Tolerances for Endothall Residues Read More »
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality recently released a memo detailing the fiscal outlook for Oregon’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Loan Program. Since the CWSRF Loan Program was established in 1990, the DEQ has made low interest loans totaling more than $750 million to eligible projects. Congress increased CWSRF loan program funding for
2010 funding for Oregon’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program Read More »
The 2009 Oregon Legislative Highlights, a Continuing Legal Education publication of the Oregon State Bar, is now available for purchase. The publication provides summaries of hundreds of bills impacting nearly every area of law, such as commercial and consumer law, land use law, and environmental and natural resources law. While much of the 2009 legislation
2009 Oregon Legislative Highlights Read More »
On December 12th Laura Schroeder, along with Brent Keith, presented a 5-hour Advanced Water Law Academy in Bend, Oregon. Held just prior to the opening of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Annual Convention and Trade Show, the interaction with attendees proved to be both educational and entertaining. During the Academy presentation, materials and topics covered were
Final Water Law Academy of 2009 Read More »
The Agricultural Law Section of the Oregon State Bar recently released its 2009 Legislative Report. The report covers a wide range of legislative developments impacting agricultural interests such as an increase in Oregon state gas tax and title fees, a field burning ban for most of the Willamette Valley, and a bill allowing for utility
2009 Agricultural Law Section Legislative Report Read More »
To get a working basic knowledge of water law in Oregon, consider attending a Water Law Bootcamp. Laura Schroeder teaches an all day educational water law seminar for free. The sponsoring organization, usually Water for Life, provides coffee and lunch and charges less than 25% of other similar continuing education accredited seminars. As a former
Water Rights Bootcamp Read More »
The Oregon Water Resources Department recently announced that the Department has $1.6 million available for funding under the Water Conservation, Reuse and Storage Grant Program. Under the Program, OWRD will match up to $500,000 in funding from another source for each project. The intent of the Program is to encourage feasibility studies and environmental analysis
OWRD Announces Grant Program Read More »
Storage capacity is obviously an important aspect of any municipal or domestic water supplier’s system. Increased storage capacity does any number of things for a water provider, including reducing the strain on equipment during summer peak demand times, increasing a water provider’s day-to-day flexibility, and providing for water during times of emergency. We recently attended
In the world of water law, we often receive calls from clients and potential clients that live many miles away from our Portland office, and sometimes hundreds of miles from the nearest major airport. In many cases, a site visit to the client’s land is necessary to get a lay of the land, or a
The many uses of Google Earth Read More »
