Chapter 694 Oregon Laws 2011

 

AN ACT

 

HB 3623

 

Relating to the Deschutes Basin ground water study area; creating new provisions; amending section 5, chapter 669, Oregon Laws 2005; and declaring an emergency.

 

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

 

          SECTION 1. Section 5, chapter 669, Oregon Laws 2005, is amended to read:

          Sec. 5. (1) The Water Resources Commission shall repeal the rules referred to in section 2 [of this 2005 Act], chapter 669, Oregon Laws 2005, on January 2, [2014] 2029.

          (2) Ground water permits and mitigation projects approved before the repeal remain valid and effective.

 

          SECTION 2. (1) As used in this section, “Deschutes Basin ground water study area” has the meaning given that term in ORS 540.531.

          (2) The Water Resources Department shall periodically review the department program for the Deschutes Basin ground water study area. The review shall include, but need not be limited to, the identification of regulatory and statutory changes that may improve the program in order to address and mitigate injury to existing water rights and spring systems and to offset measurable reductions of scenic waterway flows.

          (3) The department shall report to the Legislative Assembly every five years on outcomes of the department program for the Deschutes Basin ground water study area. The report shall include, but need not be limited to, program impacts on other users of the Deschutes River Basin, the potential timing of mitigation, identification of zones of impact, a review of impacts on the headwaters of the Metolius River and other key reaches of the Metolius River system, the potential timing of federal, state and local storage improvements and other issues identified by stakeholders.

 

          SECTION 3. This 2011 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2011 Act takes effect July 1, 2011.

 

Approved by the Governor August 2, 2011

 

Filed in the office of Secretary of State August 2, 2011

 

Effective date August 2, 2011

__________