OWRD warns Deschutes-area permit holders: static groundwater-level reports, notices coming

Carolyn Seppert, central region manager for the Oregon Water Resources Department, told the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 3 that the state is starting a campaign to collect static groundwater-level reports from permit holders.

"What we are here for today is just to inform you of a statewide effort on static water level reporting," Seppert said, explaining that roughly 3,600 water-right permits statewide include a condition requiring periodic static-level measurements.

The department said the reporting condition dates back primarily to permits issued in the 1990s and that many permit holders have not been complying. "We are beginning to send notices out to those who have not been complying with this condition," Seppert said, adding that the central region (Crook, Jefferson and Deschutes counties) has relatively few affected permits. OWRD staff said they last saw about 23 permits in the Tri-County area flagged to receive notices now, while roughly 110…