OWEB committee launches pre-rulemaking engagement to update capacity grant rules

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) Partnerships and Capacity Committee on March 10 heard staff outline a pre-rulemaking engagement process to update rules governing capacity grants for watershed councils and soil and water conservation districts.

Eric Hartstein, senior policy coordinator at OWEB, said staff want to revise rules that have not been substantially updated for watershed councils since about 2014 and ensure alignment with constitutional and statutory intent. He described a multi-step timetable: additional listening sessions and an online survey through the spring, a fuller committee briefing in June, a request at the July 2026 Board meeting to initiate rulemaking advisory work, Board consideration of adoption in July 2027, and rules that “would not become effective until July 2029,” Hartstein said. The long lead time, he said, is intended to allow broad participation and alignment with biennial budgeting cycles.

The committee was told the rule effort will examine eligible applicants and activities, evaluation criteria and funding conditions, and whether the current grant structure — including how indirect costs are treated — should change. Staff emphasized public engagement: a mix of in-person and virtual listening sessions around the state, written and verbal comment opportunities associated with advisory committee meetings, and an online survey that will remain open during the engagement period.

Committee members asked about how and when staff will report aggregated themes; Eric Williams, restoration grants manager, said staff will compile feedback for the committee in June so members can determine whether to provide policy guidance to the full Board in July. The committee will have further opportunities to review draft language via the rulemaking advisory committee if the Board votes to initiate rulemaking.