OAR 690-502-0020
Policies
(1)
Surface water allocation:(a)
Protect undeveloped streams with instream values for public instream uses;(b)
Seek a balance in the future appropriation of water between instream and total out-of-stream uses on those streams already significantly developed for out-of-stream purposes;(c)
Preserve opportunities for future economic development by reserving water for future use;(d)
Minimize the likelihood of over-appropriation due to new uses;(e)
Manage stored waters which have been released for instream purposes to meet flow needs reflected in established instream water rights;(f)
Allow irrigation use for the longest period possible between March 1 and October 31 provided sufficient water is available.(2)
Groundwater management:(a)
Prevent excessive water level declines, restore aquifer stability in areas of decline and preserve with limited storage capacity for designated uses;(b)
Identify low-yield aquifers and inform local agencies of probable groundwater capacity limitations for some uses;(c)
Ensure safe municipal and domestic groundwater supplies by participating with the Department of Environmental Quality and the State Health Division in a formal monitoring program to document changes in quality and provide data for aquifer management;(d)
Minimize impairment of surface water uses resulting from hydraulic connection between groundwater and surface water;(e)
Encourage the development of programs for making groundwater resource information available to the public and local agencies.(3)
Municipal and domestic water systems: Support coordinated water service planning and consolidation by water purveyors to preserve and protect adequate and safe drinking water supplies for human consumption in the Willamette Basin.(4)
Reservoir coordination:(a)
Promote funding to study and implement the Willamette River Basin Review Study reconnaissance phase recommendations with significant potential to assist the state in meeting its resource management objectives;(b)
Formalize reservoir operation guidelines with the Corps of Engineers to meet state water management objectives and enter into a memorandum of understanding or other agreement that defines the reservoir coordination process and water management objectives.(5)
Water conservation:(a)
Implement programs to eliminate wasteful water use;(b)
Improve the efficiency of water use through implementation of voluntary conservation measures;(c)
Give priority to developing subbasin conservation plans and providing public assistance in areas of known over-appropriation of surface water and groundwater and in water quality problem areas as listed by the Department of Environmental Quality.(6)
Land use coordination: Promote effective state and local water resource planning and protection and efficient water use through coordination with land use programs.
Source:
Rule 690-502-0020 — Policies, https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=690-502-0020.