Or. Admin. Code § 690-511-0010 - Classifications

(1) The maximum economic development of this state, the attainment of the highest and best use of the waters of the Owyhee Basin, and the attainment of an integrated and coordinated program for the benefit of the state as a whole will be furthered through utilization of the aforementioned waters only for domestic, livestock, municipal, irrigation, flow augmentation, commercial, agriculture, power development, industrial, mining, recreation, wildlife, and fish life uses, and the waters of the Owyhee Basin are hereby so classified with the following exceptions:

(a) The maximum economic development of this state, and the attainment of the highest and best use of the waters of the mainstem of the South Fork Owyhee River from the Oregon - Idaho border to Three Forks (the confluence of the North, Middle and South Forks Owyhee River), and the main stem Owyhee River from Crooked Creek (river mile 118) to the mouth of Birch Creek (river mile 76), and the attainment of an integrated and coordinated program for the benefit of the state as a whole will be furthered through utilization of the aforementioned waters only for domestic, livestock, municipal, irrigation, industrial, mining, recreation, wildlife, and fish life uses and the aforementioned waters are hereby so classified.

(b) The maximum economic development of this state, the attainment of the highest and best use of the waters of the natural lakes of the Owyhee Basin, and the attainment of an integrated and coordinated program for the benefit of the state as a whole will be furthered through utilization of the aforementioned waters only for domestic, livestock, irrigation of lawn or noncommercial garden not to exceed one-half acre in area, power development not to exceed 7 1/2 theoretical horsepower, recreation, wildlife, and fish life uses, and the waters of the natural lakes of the Owyhee Basin are hereby so classified.

(2) Surface water classification:

(a) Owyhee River and its tributaries above the Owyhee Reservoir are withdrawn from further appropriation for irrigation purposes by order of the State Engineer dated May 27, 1929.

(3) Stored water may be used for any beneficial purpose.

(4) Storage, of up to 1,000 acre-feet of water in the Owyhee Basin, for domestic or livestock purposes authorized under water rights with priority dates after November 6, 1992, shall be exempt from regulation for storage of water reserved under OAR 690-511-0110.

Notes

Or. Admin. Code § 690-511-0010

WRD 2-1997, f. & cert. ef. 2-25-97; WRD 8-2016, f. & cert. ef. 10/18/2016

Stat. Auth.: ORS 536

Stats. Implemented: ORS 536.220 & 536.310