Oregon Administrative Rules
Chapter 690 - WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
Division 380 - WATER RIGHT TRANSFERS
Section 690-380-2120 - Change in Point of Diversion to Reflect Historical Use

Universal Citation: OR Admin Rules 690-380-2120

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 9, September 1, 2024

(1) As provided in ORS 540.532, any individual who holds a water right certificate or decree may request a change in point of diversion or appropriation to reflect the historical use of water at a point of diversion or appropriation other than that described in the water right certificate or decree. The individual shall use the Department's water right transfer application form, clearly marked "Historic Change in POD," and, except as otherwise provided in section (2) of this rule, include the information required in OAR 690-380-3000.

(2) An individual requesting a change in the point of diversion or appropriation under section (1) of this rule shall provide to the Department the following additional information:

(a) Evidence that the actual, current point of diversion or appropriation for the water right in question has been in use for more than 10 years;

(b) A map meeting the requirements of OAR 690-380-3100, except that it need not be prepared by a certified water rights examiner. The map shall be of sufficient detail and clarity to identify the true point of diversion or appropriation including but not limited to:
(A) The county tax lot number, township, range and section, and to the nearest quarter-quarter section or latitude and longitude as established by a global positioning system; and

(B) The locations of the point of diversion or appropriation as specified in the water right certificate or decree and the actual, current point of diversion or appropriation;

(c) Evidence that there has been no claim of injury prior to the request for the change in point of diversion or appropriation. The evidence shall include a statement from the local watermaster, based upon the watermaster's knowledge and Department records, that no complaint of injury has been made due to the use of water at the actual, current point of diversion or appropriation.

(3) On receipt of an application for a change in point of diversion or appropriation under section (1) of this rule, the Department shall:

(a) Provide the applicant a list of the affected water rights. The list shall include, but is not limited to:
(A) Any water right with an intervening point of diversion or appropriation;

(B) Any water right for use of stored water being delivered from an upstream reservoir to a downstream user;

(C) Any water right upstream from a significant inflow of water if the request moves the proposed point of diversion upstream, above the inflow, from the authorized point of diversion;

(D) Any water right downstream from a significant inflow of water if the request moves the proposed point of diversion downstream, below the inflow, from the authorized point of diversion;

(b) Provide the applicant a copy of a notice to be mailed or hand-delivered to the affected water right holders that:
(A) Describes the locations of the authorized and actual points of diversion or appropriation;

(B) States that the recipient on the notice may provide comments to the Department on whether the requested change in point of diversion or appropriation will cause injury; and

(C) Establishes a comment period of at least 30 days after the notice is mailed or hand-delivered to each of the affected water right holders;

(c) Consult with ODFW in the manner provided under OAR 690-380-5060; and

(d) Provide notice of the application in the weekly notice published by the Department.

(4) Upon receipt from the Department of the list of affected water rights and a copy of the notice, the individual shall determine the name and address of the current holder of each affected water right identified by the Department and shall mail or hand deliver the notice to all such holders. The individual shall provide to the Department written proof of service upon the water right holders. A transfer under section (1) of this rule shall not be approved by the Department before the Department receives the written proof of service and before the comment date specified in the notice, whichever is later.

(5) If, after considering any comments received, the Department finds the individual requesting a change in point of diversion or appropriation to reflect historical use satisfies the requirements under section (2) to (4) of this rule and that the change does not cause injury, the request shall be approved. The order approving the change in point of diversion or appropriation shall establish a deadline for compliance with any conditions needed to prevent injury and, where required, to provide fish screening. If a certificate had previously been issued, the order shall cancel the certificate. The director shall issue a new certificate confirming the change in point of diversion or appropriation and preserving all other conditions of the water right.

(6) After the deadline for compliance with conditions of an approval established pursuant to section (5) of this rule, the use of water from the point of diversion or appropriation shall be subject to continued compliance with the conditions.

(7) As used in this rule, "individual" means a natural person and does not include a government body, organization, business enterprise, or other such entity.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 536.025 & 536.027

Stats. Implemented: ORS 540.532

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