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OWEB water acquisition program sees growing interest; five applications request about $3.7M
Summary
OWEB staff reported five water acquisition applications from across Oregon requesting about $3.7 million against a roughly $5 million funding allocation; projects range from multi‑year leases to a $2.7 million canal piping project in the Deschutes Basin.
Brian Wolcott, coordinator for OWEB’s water acquisition grant program, reported that five applications were received this cycle, totaling roughly $3.7 million in requests and ranging from $92,000 for bundled five‑year leases to a $2.7 million canal piping/irrigation efficiency project in the Deschutes Basin. He said the program’s purpose is to increase in‑stream flows for habitat and water quality by transferring or reallocating water rights, leases, and efficiency projects.
Wolcott described the review process (internal completeness/eligibility check, external technical review by state, tribal, and federal reviewers, and ranking leading to staff recommendations to the board). He noted concurrent rulemaking for irrigation efficiency and modernization and said the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is finalizing habitat prioritization maps intended to inform program priorities.
