Or. Admin. Code § 690-350-0130

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 10, October 1, 2024

Section 690-350-0130 - Secondary Groundwater Permits for Use of Artificially Recharged Waters; Supplemental Information Requirements; Limitations; Conditions

(1) Permit Required. The appropriation of artificially recharged groundwater for any beneficial use requires a secondary groundwater permit.

(2) Supplemental Information for Permit Application. In addition to data required for permit applications under OAR 690-310-0040, the applicant shall submit certain additional information. The following attachments are necessary:

(a) Identify Source. The applicant shall identify an artificially recharged groundwater reservoir as a supply of water;

(b) Written Consent. The applicant shall include the written consent of the holder of the recharge permit or certificate;

(c) Source Proof. The applicant shall submit proof that the proposed use will actually be from the recharged reservoir. Documentation may include water level similarities to the recharged reservoir, geologic and geographic similarities, hydraulic information, and other pertinent data; and

(d) Recharge Understanding. The applicant shall attach a copy of the currently valid recharge certificate or permit and a statement that the applicant understands its content and the conditions of that recharge.

(3) Limitations on Secondary Groundwater Permit Approval. During the first five years of recharge, the Department shall limit cumulative secondary permits to no more than 85 percent of the project's permitted annual recharge volume. Subsequent recharge permits may exceed 85 percent based on recharge performance as determined by the Department.

(4) Secondary Groundwater Permit Conditions. A secondary groundwater permit shall address the following items:

(a) Maximum Rate and Volume. A permit shall specify a maximum diversion rate and annual diversion volume;

(b) Meters. The permit shall require the permittee to meter all withdrawals so as to provide data as a debit against the storage account;

(c) Water Levels. The permit shall require the permittee to measure water levels on a specified basis;

(d) Estimated Data. The permit shall specify that when metered or measured data are missing in whole or in part, the Director may make estimates from available data. The Director's estimates shall be reasonable and, where a range of uncertainty exists, be conservatively high on withdrawal of stored water;

(e) Records, Inspections. The permit shall require the permittee to keep accurate and current records of withdrawals and water levels. The Director may inspect any records or works covered by the permit upon reasonable notice and at any reasonable time;

(f) Annual Report. The permittee shall be required to submit an annual report to the Director and holder of the recharge right. The report shall note withdrawals, dated water levels and other data pertinent to the storage account;

(g) Allowable Use of Stored Recharge Water. The permit shall indicate that availability shall be determined on the basis of secondary groundwater right priority and the allowable use of stored recharge water. The allowable use of stored recharge water falls into three categories. For ease of reference, these categories are named as the following color zones:

(A) Green Zone. If water levels at key wells are above the upper target level, use is allowed up to the maximum of the storage account or maximum duty, whichever is lower. These wells and targets are noted in the recharge permit;

(B) Yellow Zone. If water levels at key wells are between the upper and lower target levels, use is allowed up to 85 percent of the recharge volume for the preceding 12 months; and

(C) Red Zone. If water levels at key wells are below the lower target level, no use of stored recharge water is allowed.

(h) Condition Changes. If the Director has reason to believe that the well(s) is not with drawing artificially recharged groundwater or there are other substantial groundwater concerns, the permittee shall cease withdrawal upon notice from the Director. No further withdrawal shall be made until measures to prevent, correct or monitor the situation have been agreed to and implemented; and

(i) Other Conditions. The permit may contain other conditions which the Director specifies.

(5) Secondary Groundwater Certificate. Annual reports as required in the permit shall be an element of proof of appropriation to the satisfaction of the Department prior to issuance of a confirming water right certificate. Operational conditions of the permit shall become conditions of the certificate.

Or. Admin. Code § 690-350-0130

WRD 5-1988, f. & cert. ef. 6-28-88; WRD 16-1990, f. & cert. ef. 8-23-90; WRD 9-1992, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-92, Renumbered from 690-011-0086; WRD 2-1996, f. & cert. ef. 2-12-96, Renumbered from 690-011-0044

Stat. Auth.: ORS 536.025, ORS 536.027, ORS 536.220, ORS 536.300, ORS 536.310, ORS 537.135, ORS 537.338, ORS 537.356 - ORS 537.358, ORS 540 & ORS 543

Stats. Implemented: ORS 537.135