Water law

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently released a new report entitled “Ground-Water Availability in the United States.”  The article is written for a broad range of audiences which makes an interesting read for anyone interested in what scientists know (and don’t know) about the nation’s groundwater supply.  In addition, comprehensive maps and diagrams illustrate the […]

As the weather starts to heat up for the summer and water becomes scarce, many areas are affected by drought.  Fortunately, the average domestic water user can avoid being a passive victim of droughts by conserving water.  Individuals and families that conserve water will reduce their personal expenses and help their community by limiting the impact

(June, 9th 2008) Today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new rule excluding transfers of water from one body of water to another from the permitting requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).  The new rule stipulates that water transfer activities that do not introduce pollutants into transferred water will not be subject to NPDES regulations.  The rule defines

The Oregon Water Resources Commission received staff guidance and public comment on a number of issues during a May 30 meeting in Burns, Or, including an aggressive budget proposal by the Water Resources Department for the 2009-2011 biennium.  The overwhelming focus of the budget proposal was on the $50 million dollars the Department proposed for

The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) committed to initiate a rulemaking to address concerns by well drillers and contractors over potential liability for well alterations under current OWRD policy. OWRD’s historic policy allowed well alterations without automatically requiring that the entire well be brought up to current construction standards.  However, recent Department policy now requires