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OWEB adopts clarified water‑acquisition rules to align with state water tools
Summary
The board approved revisions to OWEB’s water acquisition grant rules to align definitions and eligibility with Oregon Water Resources Department tools, refine evaluation criteria and update public involvement procedures, enabling a planned grant cycle this fall.
The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board on July 28 approved revisions to its Water Acquisition Grant Program rules designed to align OWEB’s definitions and eligibility with water transaction tools managed by the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD).
Staff presented the changes as the product of a Rulemaking Advisory Committee process and a public comment period. Brian Walcott, OWEB’s water acquisitions coordinator, told the board the rule edits tighten definitions (for example, in‑stream leases and transfers), clarify eligible planning and transaction costs, refine evaluation criteria to emphasize water‑right seniority and protectability, and better integrate public involvement steps with application review.
“By requiring the same date and minute for conserved water and the out‑of‑stream use, we improve the likelihood that paid‑for streamflow will remain available in a dry year,” Walcott said, summarizing a key eligibility change intended to increase protectability on the ground.
The board voted to adopt the administrative rules following a roll‑call vote. Staff said they expect to publish a grant solicitation in August and begin application review by late fall.
