[IWRS] Save the Date: Groundwater Allocation Policy Outreach Meetings

[COOK Nirvana * WRD]

Greetings,

The Oregon Water Resources Department<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.oregon.gov%2Fowrd&data=05%7C01%7CNirvana.COOK%40water.oregon.gov%7Cf85206751d8c45d099f308da856534df%7Caa3f6932fa7c47b4a0cea598cad161cf%7C0%7C0%7C637968966972230660%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=rWkFcN2F9eTHh7tQjIRZXKE5ZNhKx3uq6xHW45AyYQ4%3D&reserved=0> (OWRD) will be holding 5 facilitated outreach meetings across the state in late September and early October to share information and ideas about updating the OWRD groundwater allocation policy. The purpose of this email is to provide advance notice of the meeting dates so you can save the date; however, more detailed information will be forthcoming.

Groundwater Allocation Policy Meetings: The meetings will provide a review of Oregon's framework for groundwater allocation, and initial ideas of revisions to the groundwater allocation process. There will be an opportunity for meeting participants to ask questions and provide public input. Please note that this policy will only affect people who are interested in applying for new groundwater rights in Oregon. It will not impact existing groundwater users.  See meeting information at the end of this email.  More details about meeting details, agenda topics, and meeting format will be shared in the coming weeks. Agendas, background materials, and meeting summaries will also be posted online at:  www.oregon.gov/owrd/programs/GWWL/GW/GWAP<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.oregon.gov%2Fowrd%2Fprograms%2FGWWL%2FGW%2FGWAP&data=05%7C01%7CNirvana.COOK%40water.oregon.gov%7Cf85206751d8c45d099f308da856534df%7Caa3f6932fa7c47b4a0cea598cad161cf%7C0%7C0%7C637968966972230660%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=CI4WcyoJWTBN70wsXPWCiAwRU6M6vYNafg9iXCNVhB0%3D&reserved=0>.

Why is the Department undertaking this process: Groundwater development results in impacts, either in the short-term or long-term, to groundwater and surface water resources. The current groundwater allocation process is designed to prevent those groundwater uses that would have a relatively immediate impact (a year or less), and yet allow those uses whose impacts build over time (years). Over the long-term, this has resulted in declining groundwater levels and reduced surface water flows. The Water Resources Commission has directed the Department to develop recommendations for a plan of action that will lead to a modernized groundwater allocation policy that is more sustainable and protective of senior water right holders, both surface and groundwater.  The Department is seeking input from the public on an approach.  Information obtained during these workshops will be utilized to prepare an initial draft of rules, which will then be discussed with a rules advisory committee to further refine the draft rules in preparation for public comment and hearings to develop a final draft of rules for Commission consideration.

Alternate formats: OWRD can provide documents in an alternate format or in a language other than English upon request. As OWRD plans for these upcoming meetings, please let them know of any accessibility or interpretation needs or requests. Please email Ivan.K.Gall at water.oregon.gov<mailto:Ivan.K.Gall at water.oregon.gov> for any requests or questions.

Meeting Dates and Locations:
Salem - in person and virtual option
Thursday, 9/22, 5:30-8 pm
Oregon Water Resources Department
725 Summer St. NE, Suite A
Salem, OR 97301

Bend - in person and virtual option
Wednesday, 9/28, 5:30-8 pm
OSU-Cascades (room TBA)
1500 SW Chandler Ave.
Bend, OR 97702

La Grande - in person and virtual option
Thursday, 9/29, 5:30-8pm
Eastern Oregon University (room TBA)
1 University Blvd.
La Grande, OR 97850

Medford area - in person and virtual option
Wednesday, 10/5, in 5:30-8pm
Jackson County Auditorium
7520 Table Rock Rd.
Central Point, OR 97502

Virtual Option
Thurs, 10/6, time to be determined

If you have any other questions, or would like more information, please contact Ivan Gall at Ivan.K.Gall at water.oregon.gov<mailto:Ivan.K.Gall at water.oregon.gov>.

[6025_OWRD_OREGON Logo_2017-COLOR]
Integrity | Service | Technical Excellence | Teamwork | Forward-Looking


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/iwrs/attachments/20220824/fcfcd98b/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 9106 bytes
Desc: image001.jpg
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/iwrs/attachments/20220824/fcfcd98b/attachment.jpg>