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<p class="MsoNormal">Greetings,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="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">
<span style="color:#0563C1">Oregon Water Resources Department</span></a> (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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Groundwater Allocation Policy Meetings:</i> 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: <a href="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"><span style="color:#0563C1">www.oregon.gov/owrd/programs/GWWL/GW/GWAP</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Why is the Department undertaking this process: </i>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.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Alternate formats: </i>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 <a href="mailto:Ivan.K.Gall@water.oregon.gov"><span style="color:#0563C1">Ivan.K.Gall@water.oregon.gov</span></a> for any requests or questions.
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Meeting Dates and Locations:</u></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Salem – in person and virtual option</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thursday, 9/22, 5:30-8 pm<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Oregon Water Resources Department<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">725 Summer St. NE, Suite A<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Salem, OR 97301<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Bend – in person and virtual option</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wednesday, 9/28, 5:30-8 pm<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">OSU-Cascades (room TBA)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1500 SW Chandler Ave.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bend, OR 97702<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>La Grande – in person and virtual option</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thursday, 9/29, 5:30-8pm<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eastern Oregon University (room TBA)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1 University Blvd.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">La Grande, OR 97850<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Medford area – in person and virtual option</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wednesday, 10/5, in 5:30-8pm <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jackson County Auditorium<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">7520 Table Rock Rd.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Central Point, OR 97502<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Virtual Option</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thurs, 10/6, time to be determined <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>If you have any other questions, or would like more information, please contact Ivan Gall at
<a href="mailto:Ivan.K.Gall@water.oregon.gov"><span style="color:#0563C1">Ivan.K.Gall@water.oregon.gov</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><img border="0" width="260" height="89" style="width:2.7083in;height:.927in" id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D8B715.2212E710" alt="6025_OWRD_OREGON Logo_2017-COLOR"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;color:#005DA6">Integrity | Service | Technical Excellence | Teamwork | Forward-Looking</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#005DA6"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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