Or. Admin. Code § 690-512-0020 - Groundwater use in the Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Area of Concern

(1) The Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Area of Concern (GHVGAC) is established to ensure that groundwater in the GHVGAC is appropriated within the capacity of the resource and that new appropriations of groundwater assure the maintenance of reasonably stable groundwater levels and prevent depletion of the groundwater resource. Current data, comprising substantial evidence, indicate that groundwater levels are declining in areas of the GHVGAC. Additional allocation of groundwater within the GHVGAC may exacerbate these declines. A comparison between estimated annual recharge and previously allocated groundwater volumes indicates that groundwater is fully allocated in some areas of the basin. Subject to further study, the Department will not allocate additional groundwater permits unless the permit is issued consistent with OAR 690-512 rules. For the purpose of this rule, the GHVGAC is as described and shown in Exhibit 1.

(2) Except as provided in subsections (4), (5), (6), and (7) of this section, groundwater in the GHVGAC is classified only for exempt groundwater uses as specified in ORS 537.545.

(3) In processing applications to appropriate and use groundwater within the GHVGAC, the Department may not find that the proposed use will ensure the preservation of the public welfare, safety and health unless the use is classified, and unless water is available for the proposed new use as described in subsections (4), (5), (6), and (7) of this section.

(4) Voluntary Cancellations for Groundwater Availability. Notwithstanding OAR 690-300-0010(57) and except for exempt groundwater uses, for the purposes of processing applications pursuant to ORS 537.621 and OAR 690-310-0130, an applicant who agrees to application of these rules to a completed pending application may request the Department find that groundwater is available for the proposed use(s) in the GHVGAC consistent with this subsection. In reviewing an application for a permit to appropriate groundwater, the Department may find that groundwater is available if:

(a) The proposed use does not have the potential for substantial interference as determined pursuant to OAR 690-009; and,

(b) The total rate and duty of the proposed groundwater use is offset by the contemporaneous and voluntary cancellation or partial cancellation of an existing primary groundwater certificate or primary permit within the GHVGAC as provided in subsection (c) of this section; and,

(c) The primary groundwater certificate or primary groundwater permit that is voluntarily cancelled or partially cancelled is not subject to forfeiture or cancellation for non-use and is equal or greater in rate, duty and acreage as compared to the rate, duty and acreage of the new appropriation sought; and,

(d) The application was pending and the groundwater right being cancelled was subject to transfer, permit amendment, or has a pending application for an extension of time that is subsequently approved, as of April 15, 2016; and the applicant has provided confirmed offset water to the Department by April 15, 2019.

(e) Notwithstanding subsection (2) of this section, if groundwater is available for a proposed new use consistent with this subsection and if the use is the type of use described in OAR 690-512-0010(1), the proposed use will be considered a classified use.

(5) Any primary permits or primary certificates that are voluntarily cancelled or partially cancelled within the GHVGAC that have not been specifically identified as offset for an application pending before the Department under section (4) will be made available for offset for pending applications under section (4) on the basis of priority determined by the tentative priority date.

(6) Groundwater Availability Where Voluntary Cancellation is not Sought. If an applicant does not elect to pursue processing of a pending groundwater application under subsection (4) of this section, and the well or wells associated with the pending application are located in the Northwest or South sub-areas of the GHVGAC, the applicant may request the Department to process a pending application pursuant to this subsection. These two sub-area locations are shown on Exhibit 1, and are designated based on limited groundwater level trend information. For the purposes of this subsection and processing applications pursuant to ORS 537.621 and OAR 690-310-0130, and notwithstanding OAR 690-300-0010(57), groundwater is available for appropriation to new proposed uses on pending applications in these sub-areas in the GHVGAC, if:

(a) The proposed use does not have the potential for substantial interference pursuant to OAR 690-009;

(b) Since April 15, 2016, there has not been a total of 7,600 acre feet of irrigation permits issued in the Northwest sub-area, and 1,660 acre feet of irrigation permits in the South sub-area. For the purposes of allocating water under this subsection, applications will be processed in the order they are received by the Department.

(c) Permits issued according to this subsection shall be conditioned to prohibit use of water if, based on the Department's Harney Basin groundwater study, the Department cannot make a finding that the groundwater use is within the capacity of the resource, is not over appropriated, or will not cause injury to senior water users. The permit holder may provide offset water in the manner described in subsection (4) within three years of the final report being issued. The Department shall make the findings described in this subsection for each permit issued under Section 6 within one year of completing the Harney Basin groundwater study. The Department's findings described in this subsection shall include site-specific substantial evidence.

(d) The application was pending as of April 15, 2016, and the applicant confirms to the Department in writing, within 6 months of April 15, 2016, that they wish for their permit to be issued under section (6) of these rules.

(e) If groundwater is available for a proposed new use consistent with this subsection and if the use is the type of use described in OAR 690-512-0010(1), the proposed use will be considered a classified use.

(7) Each permit issued according to subsections (4) and (6) must be conditioned as follows:

(a) Include a requirement for construction of a dedicated observation well at a location determined by the Department, to the same depth as the production well, within 6 months of permit issuance, or the permit may be cancelled. This 6 month deadline shall not be extended. Failure to construct a dedicated observation well within 6 months of permit issuance shall cause the watermaster to regulate off any future use under the permit.

(b) All groundwater pumping authorized by this permit is prohibited if March groundwater levels indicate 18 feet or more of decline has occurred, as measured in the observation well or any authorized irrigation well, when compared to the first March measurement. Subsequent groundwater pumping may occur with Department approval during the year(s) a subsequent March groundwater level measurement indicates the groundwater level at the observation well has recovered to less than 18 feet of decline when compared to the first March measurement.

(c) Notwithstanding OAR 690-008-0001 (8b and 8c), all permits issued in the GHVGAC must include the following condition: Any well authorized under this permit shall be located more than 1,320 feet from any existing senior exempt, permitted or certificated well(s) not owned by the permit holder. Any well authorized on this permit, when located between 1,320 feet and 2,640 feet of any senior exempt, permitted or certificated well not owned by the permit holder, shall immediately cease pumping groundwater if Department staff, during investigation of a complaint, determine 10 feet or more of measured groundwater level interference related to the authorized well use has occurred in the complainant's senior exempt, permitted or certificated well.

(8) The Department shall keep an accounting, and track the status of, existing groundwater permits, certificates and groundwater applications pending within the GHVGAC as of April 15, 2016. This information shall be provided to any person upon request. Updated information shall also be kept and made available at the Watermaster's office in Burns.

(9) The Department shall report annually on the implementation of these rules to the Water Resources Commission early each calendar year beginning in 2017. The Commission may amend these rules to adjust the boundaries of the GHVGAC, or amend or repeal these rules. The Department's report to the Commission shall include at least the following information:

(a) New groundwater permits issued within the GHVGAC after April 15, 2016;

(b) An update on groundwater level data, and the groundwater study to assist the Department and Commission in understanding the aquifer system in the study area, and;

(c) Staff recommendations, if any, regarding whether this section of rules should be amended or repealed.

(10) The Department study referenced in 690-512-0020(1) shall be designed to collect substantial data on the groundwater flow system in the GHVGAC. The final report containing study findings shall be scientifically peer-reviewed. The study is planned to be completed by the end of the year 2020.

(11) The Department shall plan and conduct the study in coordination with a local Groundwater Study Advisory Committee (SAC) to be jointly appointed by the Department and the Harney County Court. The committee may include, but not be limited to: local irrigators, well drillers, irrigation/pump contractors, members of the scientific community, a representative of the Harney County Court, conservation and instream interests, and interested members of the public. The Department will work with the SAC and individual water users to encourage the collection and use of hydrogeologic data. As part of the study process, the Department shall review and consider relevant data provided by or through the Groundwater SAC. The Department shall report quarterly to the Groundwater SAC to provide updates on the study status, data analyses and preliminary findings, and shall collaborate with the SAC with regard to actions and decisions that may result from the study. The Department shall provide the SAC a draft of the groundwater study report for review and comment prior to publishing the final report. The final groundwater study report shall be peer-reviewed.

(12) Within 1 year after the Groundwater Study discussed in subsection 11 has been published by the Department, the Department will convene a Rules Advisory Committee to explore whether there is a need for updates or changes to these rules. Members of the Groundwater Study Advisory Committee will be invited to participate on the Rules Advisory Committee.

Notes

Or. Admin. Code § 690-512-0020

WRD 2-2016, f. 4-14-16, cert. ef. 4/15/2016

Exhibits referenced are not included in rule text. Click here for PDF copy of exhibit(s).

Stat. Auth.: ORS 536.340(1)(a), 537.525(3),(5),(7) and (8), 537.621(2), 537.777(1), & 537.780(1) and (1)(h)

Stats. Implemented: