Or. Admin. R. 695-046-0196 - Evaluation Criteria

Water acquisition grant applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the application describes:

(1) The significance of the projected ecological outcomes, including how the proposed Water Acquisition Project:

(a) Achieves or helps to achieve any professionally accepted flow target during the period of use;

(b) Addresses limiting factors identified in professionally accepted conservation plans for habitat conservation needs or water quality;

(c) Provides benefits to impacted species and life stages;

(d) Monitors and tracks project impacts over time, as appropriate for the transaction type and duration;

(e) Monitors project compliance, as appropriate for the transaction type and duration; and

(f) Contributes to climate change adaptation.

(2) The alignment of proposed costs with the work necessary to accomplish the objectives described in the application, including:

(a) The ownership, use, validity, and reliability of the water right;

(b) How the proposed cost of the Legally or Contractually Protected Instream Flow is consistent with local or regional market conditions; and

(c) How the term of the proposed Water Acquisition Project is appropriate to meet the habitat, species, or water quality needs.

(3) How the proposed activities are part of a strategic effort or long term vision for restoring instream flows in the watershed, including how the proposed Water Acquisition Project:

(a) Complements other habitat conservation actions and needs;

(b) Will lead to future expansion of instream flow restoration; and

(c) Addresses Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, or other federal or tribal fish and wildlife agency priorities for aquatic habitat, Oregon Department of Agriculture or Oregon Department of Forestry priorities for water quality, or Oregon Department of Environmental Quality water quality management or implementation plans, if established.

(4) The capacity and qualifications of the applicant, including staff or consultants to be retained, to accomplish the proposed Water Acquisition Project activities described in the application and to sustain the projected ecological outcomes over the project term.

Notes

Or. Admin. R. 695-046-0196

OWEB 2-2020, adopt filed 04/27/2020, effective 5/1/2020

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 541.906

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 541.932(9)