An Overview of Water in Oregon Senate Environment & Natural - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

An Overview of Water in Oregon

Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee

January 20, 2009

• Dr. Brenda Bateman

Senior Policy Coordinator Oregon Water Resources Dept.

Outline

• 1. Brief Overview of the Water Resources Department
• 2. What Are Some of the Challenges We’re Facing? and

What Foundations Are Already in Place?

• 3. 2009 Legislative Highlights

Overview of Water Resources

• Surface water
• Ground water

2007 W ater Consum ption by Sector

Muncipal Systems Domestic Wells Industrial Agriculture

2007 Water Consumption by Sector

Instream – Another Key Water Use

• Fish and wildlife
• Recreation
• Transportation
• Hydropower
• Aesthetics / Scenic waterways
• Water Quality Purposes

= Instream Water Rights

How Is Water Managed in Oregon?

• Natural Resources Departments and Commissions
• Coordinated through the Governor’s Cabinet

Water Resources, Dept. of Environmental Quality, Dept. of Human Services, Dept.

• f Fish and Wildlife, Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Forestry, Oregon Watershed

Enhancement Board, Dept. of State Lands, DOE, DOGAMI, DLCD, PUC, Parks and Rec., Dept. of Justice, Columbia River Gorge Commission, Marine Board & more

Oregon Water Resources Department

• Water Resources Department (WRD) ~

– The “Water Quantity Agency” – No Federal counterpart – Responsible for allocation and distribution of water – Consults with other agencies in its decision-making

• Water Resources Commission has policy oversight

Water Resources Commission 2008

Water Resources Department

Mission: “Serving the public by practicing and promoting wise long-term water management.” Two co-equal goals: Water Stewardship and Water Supply

• Water

Rights Program

• Adjudication

Program

• Customer

Service Group

• Hydroelectric

Program

• Water Distribution
• Water Right

Changes

• Well Construction

Inspection

• Water Supply

& Conservation

• Hydrographic Data

Collection

• Fiscal Accounting

& Budgeting

• Human Resources
• Support Service
• Water Development

Loan Program

• Water Resources

Commission

• Policy / Legal

Coordination

• Citizen Response &

Public Information

• Intergovernmental

Coordination

• Information

Management

• Public Safety
• Surface Water /

Ground Water Investigation

Technical Services Water Rights and Adjudications Field Services Administrative Services Director’s Office

39 22 68 12 6

How We’re Organized

Dependence on General Fund

2007-09 Legislatively A pproved W RD Budget by Source

General Fund, $26,603,527 Other Funds, $7,021,101 Federal Funds, $1,176,003

What Is Oregon Water Law?

• Established in 1909
• All water is publicly owned
• With some exceptions, water users must obtain a

“water right” or permit that establishes a priority date to use water from any source.

• Like most western states, Oregon uses the

“Doctrine of Prior Appropriation.”

• The Dept. is responsible for > 85,000 water rights.

Four Fundamentals of Water Rights

• Beneficial Purpose without Waste

Surface or ground water may be legally diverted for use only if it is used for a beneficial purpose without waste.

• Priority Date

The water right priority date determines who gets water in time of

• shortage. The more senior the water right, the longer water is available.
• Appurtenancy

Generally, a water right is attached to the land described in the right, as long is the water is used. If the land is sold, the water right goes with the land to the new owner.

• Must Be Used

Once established, a water right must be used as provided for in the right at lease once every five years, otherwise the right is subject to cancellation.

How Has Water Law Evolved?

• The 1955 Ground Water Act authorized the state to

manage ground water resources.

• Beginning in 1955, Basin Plans authorized the state to

manage water at a watershed level.

• The 1987 Instream Water Right Act has allowed Oregon

to protect more water instream (> 900 cubic feet per second) than any other western state.

• The Allocation of Conserved Water Program allows water

users to apply conserved water to new lands, new uses, and instream uses.

So How Does WRD Manage Water Rights?

What Are the Challenges We’re Facing? What Foundations Already Exist?

• Understanding Our Water Resources
• Meeting Oregon’s Water Needs
• Managing Our Water Resources

Understanding Our Water Resources

Understanding Our Water Resources

Fully Allocated Surface Water - Summer

Understanding Our Water Resources

Unallocated Winter Flow

Understanding Our Water Resources

Ground Water

Understanding Our Water Resources

Climate Change

Meeting Oregon’s Water Needs

Meeting Oregon’s Water Needs

Population Growth Projections

The U.S. Census Bureau projects the arrival of another 1 million people in Oregon by 2030.

Meeting Oregon’s Water Needs

Oregon Water Supply and Conservation Initiative

1. Statewide water demand forecast 2. Inventory of potential water conservation opportunities

Meeting Oregon’s Water Needs

Oregon Water Supply and Conservation Initiative

1. Statewide water demand forecast 2. Inventory of potential water conservation opportunities 3. Inventory of potential water storage sites (above & below ground) 4. Community water resource planning grants

Meeting Oregon’s Water Needs

Feasibility Study Grants (SB 1069 in 2008)

Meeting Oregon’s Water Needs

Developing and Communicating a Long-Term, Integrated Water Resources Strategy

• One of two western states without a water supply plan
• Water Resources Commission’s (WRC) statutory authority,

with the Department implementing

• Partners: Environmental Quality Commission and DEQ, other

natural resource and economic agencies, a diverse group of stakeholders

• Vehicles for this discussion: SB 193, WRD & DEQ budgets
• Building upon a strong foundation

Managing Our Water Resources

• Partnering with Communities (HB 5535)
• Staffing Needs (WRD’s budget in HB 5551)
• Protection/Stewardship (HB 2231 and HB 2232)
• Data Needs (Water-Use Measurement SB 194)
• Meeting Economic Development Goals (SB 195)

Managing Our Water Resources

Partnering with Communities (HB 5535)

“From River, to Aq “From River, to Aqui uifer, to Fi fer, to Field elds” The Oregonian, De Dec.

• c. 27, 2008

27, 2008

Managing Our Water Resources

Staffing Needs (WRD’s Budget Is in HB 5551)

147.60

Managing Our Water Resources

Protection/Stewardship of Ground Water

• Maintaining well inspection and data programs

(HB 2231 & HB 2232)

• HB 2231 raises “start card” (new well) fee

from $125 to $225 per water well.

• These fees pay for the Department’s well

inspection program.

• HB 2232 establishes a new fee for new

geotechnical holes ($25 for first well at a project site and $10 thereafter).

• These fees pay to collect, process and post

data on-line for state agencies, consultants, and property owners to use.

Rusted, leaky well casing.

Managing Our Water Resources

Data Needs

• Ground water data
• Surface water stream flow
• Surface water use (measured at the diversion)…SB 194

Managing Our Water Resources

Meeting Economic Development Goals

• Wave Energy (SB 195)
• Builds upon HB 2925 & HJM 22 (2007)
• Allows small wave energy projects to

connect to the grid, and provides for…

• Temporary exemption from ORS 543.017(a)

(no fish injury)

• Special advisory committee to recommend

siting standards

• Rules promulgated by the Water Resources

Commission to require additional protections while the exemption is in effect.

2009 Legislative Highlights

• Long-term integrated water resources planning,

partnering with DEQ and other agencies (SB 193)

• Water-Use Measurement (SB 194)
• Wave Energy (SB 195)
• Fee Bills (HB 2231 and 2232)
• Implementation of the Umatilla Basin Aquifer

Recovery Project (SB 5535)

• Budget (HB 5551)

Questions?

Brenda.O.Bateman@wrd.state.or.us 503-986-0879