Every year the Oregon Water Resources Department (“OWRD”) allows 15 districts to change their place of use without going through a long Transfer Application process. This process, called the Irrigation District Pilot Project, allows one transfer application for every irrigation season. The Project started in 2003 and the Oregon State Legislature has extended it several times. Currently is set to sunset or end on January 2, 2022, and the most recent extension was in 2015 through the SB 267 bill. 

Through this program irrigation districts are able to change their place of use within their legal boundary only. A simple process for providing transfers in place of use can allow irrigation districts to better serve their users based on the best availability. 

Below is a list of the Districts who are a part of the Pilot Project for this 2020 season: 

1. Owyhee Irrigation District
2. Tualatin Valley Irrigation District
3. West Extension Irrigation District
4. Westland Irrigation District
5. Stanfield Irrigation District
6. Hermiston Irrigation District
7. Talent Irrigation District
8. Rogue River Valley Irrigation District
9. Arnold Irrigation District
10. Central Oregon Irrigation District
11. North Unit Irrigation District
12. Ochoco Irrigation District
13. Sutherlin Water Control District

If any Districts is unable or does not need to participate in the program, another District may take their place. Districts are identified by OWRD, who then post their information and Watermaster contact information in their public notice, per SB 267 requirement. For more information on types of Water Right Transfer Applications available to irrigation districts visit OWRD’s website regarding district transfers. 

To learn more about all things water browse our Schroeder Law Offices blog! 

It’s that time of year again! As 2018 draws to a close, Schroeder Law Offices wants to remind Oregon water users that the deadline to submit water use measurements to the Oregon Water Resources Department (“OWRD”) is December 31, 2018.

Many permits and certificates for both surface and groundwater rights contain language specifying the type of meter and frequency of measurements and reporting required in order for the user to remain in compliance with the terms of their water use rights. These requirements are typically along the lines of:

Before water use begins, the user must install a meter or other suitable measuring device approved by the Director at each point of appropriation or diversion. After use begins, the user must maintain the device in good working order.

The user must keep a monthly record of the volume of water diverted, and submit a report which includes these measurements to the Department annually, or more frequently if required by the Director. Further, the Director may require the user to report general water use information, including the place and nature of use of water under the permit.

Not all water users are required to report their water use; therefore, it is important to be aware of the conditions set forth in your permits and certificates and to make sure you remain in compliance.

If the water use reporting condition is included, you can find the reporting form on OWRD’s website here. You can also report your water use online here. You will note that the “water year,” as outlined in the reporting form, runs from October through September, annually.

Schroeder encourages water users with this condition to take meter readings at the end of each month and to keep that information in their files along with a copy of the reports submitted to OWRD annually.

Stay tuned to Schroeder Law Offices’ blog for more helpful tips and reminders, and don’t forget to submit your reports by December 31, 2018!

Do you need funding for a water related study or water use project? The Oregon Water Resources Department’s Development Program is part of Oregon’s 2017 Integrated Water Resources Strategy. The program helps individuals and communities address instream and out-of-stream water needs now and into the future by providing funding opportunities for planning and investing in water use projects. The program is now accepting applications for two funding opportunities: Water Project Grants and Loans and Feasibility Study Grants.

Water Project Grants and Loans are available for instream and out of stream water supply projects that result in economic, environmental, and social/cultural benefits. Loan application materials can be found here, and are due by 5PM on April 25, 2018.

Feasibility Study Grants provide funding to help evaluate the feasibility of a proposed conservation, reuse, or storage project. A grant can provide up to 50% of the total costs of the study, but no more than $500,000 per project. Application materials can be found here, and are due by 5PM on October 17, 2018. 

For more information regarding these funding opportunities please visit the Water Resources Department page.

As the 2017 irrigation season approaches, Oregon water permit and certificate holders may want to review the terms of those permitted and certificated uses for measurement and reporting requirements.

Many groundwater permits and certificates require annual reporting of various water measurements, most notably measurements for static water levels of wells, flow meter readings or perhaps critical ground water area measurements depending on where these uses are located.

Measurements are typically due annually but sometimes are required to be tracked monthly and submitted to the Oregon Water Resources Department. These recordings allow the Department to track changes in water levels and depending on varying levels between the years may allow the Department to require users to discontinue or reduce the rate of their water use.

Our office encourages all water users to closely review the terms of their water permits and certificates in order to understand and be responsible for the requirements and meet the terms of these rights of use. We also provide services to clients including review of water permits, certificates and related documents, refer to qualified individuals to take these recording measurements and courtesy reminder letters to our clients.

For more information on water use reporting please visit the Oregon Water Resources Departments website. For more water news and information, keep reading Schroeder Law Offices blog!