HB 3806
Authorizes the Water Resources Commission to approve a Deschutes River water bank pilot program.
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
100%
Oppose
0%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill authorizes a pilot program for Deschutes River water banks in Oregon. The Water Resources Commission will oversee the program, which requires specific charter elements and operational plans. It establishes requirements for water rights, in-stream flow protection, and reporting, with a sunset date of January 2, 2034. The program aims to manage water supply reliability and restore in-stream flows in the Deschutes River basin.
Key provisions
- The Water Resources Commission can approve a Deschutes River water bank pilot program.
- The pilot program must be approved by the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs.
- Water bank charters must include provisions for geographic area, participant identification, forbearance agreements, and in-stream flow dedication.
- Participants must measure and report water use to the Water Resources Department.
- The Deschutes River Conservancy will manage the operations of the water bank.
- Annual operating plans must be submitted and approved by the Water Resources Department.
- Water banks must report on water rights and monitoring information to the department.
- A minimum of 1,500 acre-feet of water must be protected by a lease under ORS 537.348.
Who is affected
- Water rights holders
- The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs
- Cities in central Oregon
- The Deschutes River Conservancy
- The Water Resources Department
Notable changes
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
Cosponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
The supporters of HB 3806 generally agree that the bill offers an innovative solution to meet the social, environmental, and economic needs of the Deschutes Basin in a water-constrained environment. They see the bill as building on existing collaborative programs that promote voluntary market-based transactions between irrigation districts, farmers, and growing communities. The primary goal is to improve water management through a voluntary market-based solution, addressing long-standing challenges with water scarcity and the need to address these shortages, particularly in light of growing droughts, heat waves, and wildfires posing threats to the region's water supply.
Source: Testimony Summaries
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