OAR 690-502-0040
General Provisions
(1)
Water availability: The classifications in OAR 690-502-0050 (Main Stem Willamette River Subbasin) through 690-502-0150 (Columbia Subbasin) limit access to natural streamflow during periods when remaining available supplies are insufficient to meet existing water rights and public instream uses 80 percent of the time. When improved water availability data show that there is insufficient natural flow to support a classification, any permit issued shall further restrict or condition the time of use to when water is available.(2)
Limited licenses: The uses of surface water for which limited licenses may be issued are prescribed in ORS 537.143 (Limited license to use or store surface or ground water or to use stored water)(1). Applications for limited licenses may be accepted in the Willamette Basin unless expressly prohibited by statute, order of the State Engineer or the Commission, or by the classifications in OAR 690-502-0050 (Main Stem Willamette River Subbasin) through 690-502-0150 (Columbia Subbasin).(3)
Surface water applications: Applications to use surface water filed after April 18, 1991, shall be processed under the classifications established in OAR 690-502-0050 (Main Stem Willamette River Subbasin) through 690-502-0150 (Columbia Subbasin). Applications filed on or before April 18, 1991, shall be processed under the classification in effect at the time of the application.(4)
Storage:(a)
Unless expressly prohibited by statute, order or administrative rule, the surface waters of the Willamette River and tributaries are classified for storage from November 1 to June 30. A storage permit may be issued for a shorter time period and/or conditioned based on water availability or compatibility with other uses and needs;(b)
Secondary applications to maintain reservoir levels throughout the year may be processed if the proposed use is consistent with the classification;(c)
Water legally stored may be released or used at any time for any beneficial purpose, such as domestic, livestock, irrigation (during the irrigation season as specified in section (6) of this rule), agricultural, commercial, municipal, industrial, power, mining, recreation, fish life, wildlife, pollution abatement, wetland enhancement, public instream uses and uses allowed under a limited license.(5)
Groundwater recharge: Use of surface water to recharge groundwater shall be subject to the same limitations and season as specified in section (4) of this rule. Use of groundwater from one aquifer to recharge another shall be allowed only if consistent with the classification of the providing aquifer as specified in OAR 690-502-0160 (Groundwater Classifications and Conditions).(6)
Expanded irrigation season: Unless expressly limited by statute, court decree, order, administrative rule (including classification, except for use of stored water), water availability or any other permit condition, an irrigation season of March 1 to October 31 shall apply to future permits for primary and supplemental irrigation.(7)
Conservation: The Department shall require that special conservation and water use efficiency conditions be employed when permitting the use of water from the Columbia River Basalt Group, low-yield aquifers and water quality limited streams.
Source:
Rule 690-502-0040 — General Provisions, https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=690-502-0040.