2015 Oregon Revised Statutes
Volume : 13 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food
Chapter 536 - Water Resources Administration
Section 536.220 - Policy on water resources generally; integrated state water resources strategy.

(1) The Legislative Assembly recognizes and declares that:

(a) The maintenance of the present level of the economic and general welfare of the people of this state and the future growth and development of this state for the increased economic and general welfare of the people thereof are in large part dependent upon a proper utilization and control of the water resources of this state, and such use and control is therefore a matter of greatest concern and highest priority.

(b) A proper utilization and control of the water resources of this state can be achieved only through a coordinated, integrated state water resources policy, through plans and programs for the development of such water resources and through other activities designed to encourage, promote and secure the maximum beneficial use and control of such water resources, all carried out by a single state agency.

(c) The economic and general welfare of the people of this state have been seriously impaired and are in danger of further impairment by the exercise of some single-purpose power or influence over the water resources of this state or portions thereof by each of a large number of public authorities, and by an equally large number of legislative declarations by statute of single-purpose policies with regard to such water resources, resulting in friction and duplication of activity among such public authorities, in confusion as to what is primary and what is secondary beneficial use or control of such water resources and in a consequent failure to utilize and control such water resources for multiple purposes for the maximum beneficial use and control possible and necessary.

(2) The Legislative Assembly, therefore, finds that:

(a) It is in the interest of the public welfare that a coordinated, integrated state water resources policy be formulated and means provided for its enforcement, that plans and programs for the development and enlargement of the water resources of this state be devised and promoted and that other activities designed to encourage, promote and secure the maximum beneficial use and control of such water resources and the development of additional water supplies be carried out by a single state agency that, in carrying out its functions, shall give proper and adequate consideration to the multiple aspects of the beneficial use and control of such water resources with an impartiality of interest except that designed to best protect and promote the public welfare generally.

(b) The state water resources policy shall be consistent with the goal set forth in ORS 468B.155.

(3)(a) The Water Resources Department shall develop an integrated state water resources strategy to implement the state water resources policy specified in subsection (2) of this section. The department shall design the strategy to meet Oregon’s in-stream and out-of-stream water needs.

(b) The Water Resources Department shall work in close cooperation with the Department of Environmental Quality and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop the integrated state water resources strategy in consultation with other state, local and federal agencies, with other states, with Indian tribes, with stakeholders and with the public.

(c) The Water Resources Department, in close cooperation with the Department of Environmental Quality and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, shall develop data on an ongoing basis to forecast Oregon’s in-stream and out-of-stream water needs, including but not limited to in-stream, underground water, human consumption and water supply needs, for the purpose of developing and updating the integrated state water resources strategy.

(d) The integrated state water resources strategy shall describe the following:

(A) Oregon’s in-stream and out-of-stream water needs, including but not limited to ecosystem services, water quality and water supply needs.

(B) Objectives of the strategy.

(C) Actions that are designed to achieve the objectives of the strategy.

(D) Plans related to the challenges presented by climate change.

(E) Provisions to ensure communication and partnership with key stakeholders.

(F) Specific functions and roles to be played by state agencies, including but not limited to the State Department of Agriculture, the State Forestry Department, the Department of Human Services, the Oregon Business Development Department, the Department of Land Conservation and Development, the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, the State Parks and Recreation Department, the Department of State Lands and other relevant state agencies.

(G) Public policy options and recommendations.

(H) Relevant strategy factors, including but not limited to population growth and land use change.

(I) Recommendations of the Water Resources Department regarding the continuous monitoring of climate change effects on Oregon’s water supply and regarding water user actions that are necessary to address climate change.

(e)(A) The Water Resources Commission shall give the Environmental Quality Commission, the State Department of Agriculture and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife notice of the integrated state water resources strategy prior to adoption of the strategy. The strategy shall take effect upon adoption by the Water Resources Commission.

(B) The Water Resources Commission shall review and update the integrated state water resources strategy every five years. The Water Resources Commission shall give notice to the Environmental Quality Commission, the State Department of Agriculture and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife prior to adopting any revisions of the strategy. Revisions of the strategy shall take effect upon the Water Resources Commission’s adoption of the revised strategy by reference in rule.

(4) This section does not limit the authority granted the Environmental Quality Commission or the Department of Environmental Quality under ORS chapter 468B. [1955 c.707 §1; 1989 c.833 §53; 2009 c.907 §44; 2013 c.1 §76]

Note: Sections 2 and 3, chapter 780, Oregon Laws 2015, provide:

Sec. 2. (1) As used in this section, "place-based integrated water resources" means waters that are from sources within a single drainage basin or within an area that is a subset of a single drainage basin.

(2) The Water Resources Department may issue grants from available moneys to facilitate the preparation of place-based integrated water resources strategies that are consistent with state laws concerning the water resources of this state, state water resources policy and department requirements. The department may issue grants under this subsection to:

(a) A person;

(b) A public body as defined in ORS 174.109; or

(c) An Indian tribe.

(3) The department may enter into contracts or agreements with, and provide technical assistance and information to, a person, a public body as defined in ORS 174.109 or an Indian tribe for the development of place-based integrated water resources strategies.

(4) Place-based integrated water resources strategies described in subsections (2) and (3) of this section must:

(a) Be developed in collaboration with a balanced representation of interests;

(b) Balance current and future in-stream and out-of-stream needs;

(c) Include the development of actions that are consistent with the existing state laws concerning the water resources of this state and state water resources policy;

(d) Facilitate implementation of local solutions;

(e) Be developed utilizing an open and transparent process that fosters public participation; and

(f) Be developed in consultation with the department.

(5) The Water Resources Commission may adopt rules for the administration of this section. [2015 c.780 §2]

Sec. 3. (1) Section 2 of this 2015 Act is repealed July 1, 2019.

(2) The repeal of section 2 of this 2015 Act does not affect any rights or responsibilities established in a grant, contract or agreement made under section 2 of this 2015 Act prior to July 1, 2019.

[2015 c.780 §3]