Or. Admin. R. 690-310-0140 - Public Interest Review; Groundwater
(1) Unless the applicant requests withdrawal
of an application following the initial review described in OAR 690-310-0080,
before issuing a proposed final order, the Department shall determine whether
the presumption under OAR 690-310-0130 is established for the proposed
groundwater use, as described in OAR 690-310-0130.
(2) If the Department determines that the
presumption is not established, the Department shall determine whether the
proposed use will impair or adversely affect the public welfare, safety and
health under ORS 537.525 and may either:
(a) Propose denial of the application upon a
finding that the use will impair or adversely affect the public welfare, safety
and health; or
(b) Make specific
findings to demonstrate that even though the presumption is not established,
the proposed use will not impair or adversely affect the public welfare, safety
and health and propose approval of the application with appropriate
modifications or conditions.
(3) If the Department determines that the
presumption is established or that the proposed use can be modified or
conditioned to meet the presumption criteria:
(a) The Department shall further evaluate the
proposed use, any comments received, information available in its files or
received from other interested agencies and any other available information to
determine whether the presumption is overcome. The Department may find that the
presumption is overcome if a preponderance of evidence shows that the proposed
use will not ensure the preservation of the public welfare, safety, and health
under ORS 537.525 as demonstrated in
comments or a finding of the Department that shows:
(A) The specific aspect of the public
welfare, safety, and health under ORS
537.525 that would be impaired
or detrimentally affected; and
(B)
Specifically how the identified aspect of the public welfare, safety, and
health under ORS 537.525 would be impaired or
adversely affected.
(b)
In making the determination in (3)(a) of this rule, the Department shall, at a
minimum, consider the factors listed below, including any potential effects
that the proposed use may have on these factors, where applicable:
(A) Water use efficiency and the avoidance of
waste;
(B) Threatened, endangered
or sensitive species;
(C) Water
quality;
(D) Fish or
wildlife;
(E) Recreation;
(F) Economic development;
(G) Local comprehensive plans, including
supporting provisions such as public facilities plans;
(H) Stability of groundwater levels;
and
(I) Thermal characteristics of
groundwater source.
(c)
In making any determination or finding in subsection (3)(a) of this rule, the
Department may consult and communicate with state and federal agencies and
local governments, as appropriate.
(4) If the Department determines that the
presumption is established and not overcome under the provisions of section (3)
of this rule, the Department shall issue a proposed final order recommending
issuance of the permit subject to any appropriate modifications or conditions.
If the Department then receives a protest filed pursuant to OAR 690-310-0160,
which asserts the presumption is not established or should be overcome, the
Department shall evaluate the protest and supporting evidence in accordance
with this section and section (5) - (7) of this rule. The Department shall find
that the presumption is overcome if a preponderance of evidence shows that:
(a) One or more of the four presumption
criteria listed in OAR 690-310-0130(1) (a)-(d) are not met; or
(b) The proposed use would not insure the
preservation of the public welfare, safety and health, including:
(A) The specific aspect of the public
welfare, safety and health that would be impaired or detrimentally affected;
and
(B) Specifically how the
identified aspect of the public welfare, safety and health would be impaired or
detrimentally affected.
(5) If the Department finds under section (4)
of this rule that the presumption is overcome, the Department shall issue a
final order in accordance with OAR 690-310-0190 denying the application unless
the Department makes specific findings to demonstrate that the issuance of a
permit will ensure the preservation of the public welfare, safety and health
under ORS 537.525.
(6) If the Department finds under section (4)
of this rule that the presumption is not overcome, the Department shall issue a
final order in accordance with OAR 690-310-0190 approving the application with
any appropriate modifications or conditions.
(7) If the Director finds that a significant
dispute about the proposed water use related to the public welfare, safety and
health under ORS 537.525 exists and a protest has
been filed under OAR 690-310-0160, the Director shall schedule a contested case
hearing.
Notes
Stat. Auth.: ORS 536.027
Stats. Implemented: ORS 537.525 & ORS 537.621
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