2013 Oregon Revised Statutes
Volume : 13 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food
Chapter 541 - Water Distributors; Water Releases; Conservation and Storage; Water Development Projects; Watershed Management and Enhancement
Section 541.621 - Review of grant application; rules; project priority; mandatory considerations; net environmental public benefit.

(1) The Water Resources Commission shall adopt rules establishing guidelines for the Water Resources Department's review of applications for a grant filed under ORS 541.611 and for the assessment of projects for which grants are sought. The guidelines shall include:

(a) Evaluation of the awarding of grants as a financial incentive to accomplish the goals of the grant program;

(b) Consideration of the financial needs of applicants and other special circumstances; and

(c) Consideration of the economic public benefit, social and cultural public benefit and net environmental public benefit of the project.

(2) The guidelines shall give priority to projects that:

(a) Recharge aquifers in limited and critical ground water areas;

(b) Are designed to deliver the greatest net environmental public benefit;

(c) Include in-stream flow restoration components;

(d) Conserve water; or

(e) Are water storage projects that provide for stored water to be used for restoring or augmenting streamflows in a manner that conserves, maintains and enhances water quality, aquatic life, fish life or other ecological values.

(3) The guidelines shall require that the department consider the following:

(a) Local support for the project;

(b) Oregon's in-stream and out-of-stream water needs as influenced by existing and anticipated climate change;

(c) The project's potential to facilitate economic development;

(d) The projected impact of the project on public health matters relating to water; and

(e) Statewide water needs.

(4) The commission shall adopt rules for use by the Water Resources Department in assessing the net environmental public benefits of a project under ORS 541.616. The commission must consult with, and provide a 60-day period for the receipt of comment from, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the State Parks and Recreation Department, the State Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environmental Quality before the commission adopts a rule described in this subsection. [2009 c.907 §22]

Note: 541.621 is repealed July 1, 2015. See section 40, chapter 784, Oregon Laws 2013.