Bill Text: OR SB268 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to water use measurement.

Sponsorship: Unknown

Status: (Failed) 2011-06-30 - In committee upon adjournment. [SB268 Detail]

Download: Oregon-2011-SB268-Introduced.html

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     76th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2011 Regular Session

NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .

LC 2031

                         Senate Bill 268

Printed pursuant to Senate Interim Rule 213.28 by order of the
  President of the Senate in conformance with presession filing
  rules, indicating neither advocacy nor opposition on the part
  of the President (at the request of Senate Interim Committee on
  Rules)

                             SUMMARY

The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.

  Requires Water Resources Department to biennially report to
Legislative Assembly regarding measurement of significant
diversions of surface water from certain watersheds. Requires
department to request Senate committee public hearing on report.

                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to water use measurement.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) As used in this section:
  (a) 'High priority watershed' means a watershed identified by
the Water Resources Department and the State Department of Fish
and Wildlife as being among those watersheds having the greatest
biological need and the greatest restoration opportunity.
  (b) 'Measurement' means the use of a water measuring device to
determine at the point of diversion:
  (A) The amount of surface water diverted; and
  (B) The rate or the rate and duty.
  (c) 'Significant diversion' means a diversion of surface water:
  (A) For which a permit condition requires a water measuring
device;
  (B) That diverts more than five cubic feet per second; or
  (C) That diverts:
  (i) More than 0.25 cubic feet per second; and
  (ii) More than 10 percent of the lowest monthly 50 percent
exceedance flow as defined by the Water Resources Department
water availability model.
  (d) 'Water measuring device' means equipment installed and
maintained by a water user that is capable of measuring at the
diversion point the amount of surface water diverted.
  (2) The Water Resources Department shall biennially report to
the Legislative Assembly regarding:
  (a) The number of significant diversions that are located in
high priority watersheds, have installed water measuring devices
and are measuring water use; and
  (b) If the measurement of all significant diversions within
high priority watersheds has been achieved, the number of

significant diversions within this state that have installed
water measuring devices and are measuring water use.
  (3) The Water Resources Department shall biennially file with a
Senate committee dealing with environmental or natural resource
issues a request that the committee hold a public hearing to
allow department testimony and public comment regarding the
report. + }
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