National Ground Water Awareness Week brings our attention to the “hot” issues in ground water now focused in Oregon, perhaps surprising to some, in the Klamath Basin. On March 7, 2013, the Oregon Water Resources Department (“the Department”) issued its Findings of Fact and Order of Determination (“FFOD”), thus ending the administrative phase of the […]
Whitsett Water Bills (House Bill 4044 & Senate Bill 1572) Read More »
On December 11, 2013, the Oregon Court of Appeals issued a ruling interpreting the amended ORS 537.230(2) conditions. ORS 537.230(2) prescribes conditions for the Oregon Water Resources Department (“the Department”) to grant municipal permit extensions to complete construction and apply water to beneficial use in order to perfect water use rights. In this case, the
Oregon Court of Appeals Decides Cottage Grove Case Read More »
Senator Doug Whitsett”s recent e-newsletter provides some insight into EPA’s proposed rule concerning Clean Water Act Jurisdiction. Read more here.
EPA’s proposed rule concerning Clean Water Act Jurisdiction Read More »
Our office often receives questions from clients regarding the availability of water in a particular area. The Oregon Water Resources Department has a search engine that we often use to get started on this type of research. To access the search engine use the following link: http://apps.wrd.state.or.us/apps/misc/lkp_trsqq_features/default.aspx. Enter the latitude and longitude or address for
Helpful Oregon Water Availability & Information Research Tool Read More »
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 »
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 »
The Director’s Report for the Oregon Water Resources Commission January Meeting breaks down water conditions in the State: “Current Water Conditions: The surface water supply index (SWSI) is a numerical index computed for the 14 major water basins in Oregon. The index ranges from + 4.0 indicating extremely wet conditions to – 4.0 indicting extremely
OWRD Director’s Report Addresses Water Conditions Read More »
Under Oregon law, a city may provide utility services to its inhabitants “[w]hen the power to do so is conferred by or contained in its charter or act of incorporation.” (ORS 225.020). This includes providing water and sewer services “for profit” so long as the city’s charter provides and the public trust is not violated in doing so.
Portland Sued Over Sewer and Water Funds Read More »
Oregon Public Broadcasting (“OPB”) News recently featured a brief story on the Oregon Natural Desert Association’s (“ONDA”) agreement with a rancher in the Bend, Oregon area. The agreement allows for retirement of a nearly 3,000 acre federal grazing permit. Typically, the law requires retired permits to be reissued; however this particular allotment falls under a
Agreement for Retirement of 3,000 Acre Grazing Permit Near Bend Read More »
USG Oregon, LLC, a subsidiary of U.S. Geothermal, Inc., has acquired two geothermal mineral ownership interests in the Neal Hot Springs Project in Eastern Oregon. USG Oregon now holds significant mineral ownership interests in the Neal Hot Springs geothermal reservoir. The lands to which the mineral interests are appurtenant currently have two existing production wells
Laura Schroeder will present her popular “Water Rights Bootcamp” on JUNE 2 in Sisters, Oregon. This presentation will be an educational seminar suitable for all with and interest and concern for water rights in Oregon. For details and an agenda see the Schroeder Law Offices web site.
Water Law Educational Seminar Read More »
As we reported in early February, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (“DEQ”) has released a Water Quality Management Plan for the Upper Klamath and Lost River Subbasins for public review and comment. Due to ongoing drought conditions in the Klamath Basin, DEQ has extended the public comment period by 45 days to May 27,
Update: Upper Klamath and Lost River Subbasins Comment Period Extended Read More »
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 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 »
As attorneys for the Oregon Ground Water Association (OGWA), Schroeder Law Offices was pleased to do the legal research that successfully overturned the Oregon Water Resources Department’s determination of fees. As a result of advocacy for OGWA, refunds of over $100,000 were paid back to Oregon citizens after the Oregon Water Resources Department was found to have erroneously
Research Gives Fee Refund to Oregonians Read More »
The 2009 Legislative Session passed House Bill 3369. Among other things, this Bill tasked Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) with developing Oregon’s Integrated Water Resources Strategy (IWRS). The IWRS goals are to build resources and tools to assist Oregon in looking at its future water needs in terms of water quantity, water quality, ecological needs,
Get Involved in the Integrated Water Resources Strategy! Read More »
Do you keep your deeds in the safe? A secure file? If so, you surely know what water uses you are entitled to and have these records kept safe and secure reviewing them annually? If not, you’re lucky that the state has records on the water uses related to your property. However, it’s unlikely these records
Start 2010 Out Right: Organize Your Title Records! Read More »
During the next two years, OWRD and other Oregon state government agencies will be closed on the following Fridays: October 16, 2009 November 27, 2009 March 19, 2010 April 16, 2010 June 18, 2010 August 20, 2010 September 17, 2010 November 26, 2010 March 18, 2011 May 20, 2011
Oregon Water Resources Department’s (OWRD) Closure Schedule for Next Two Years Read More »
At Schroeder Law Offices, P.C., we routinely work with our clients to develop efficient water use and management systems. Upon reviewing the competition offered below, we thought of you! Thus, if you are an innovative and efficient water user, or perhaps want to share your ideas with others then you might check out this competition!
Water Efficiency: A Competition to Test Your Cutting Edge Ideas. Read More »
