OAR 690-076-0010: Definitions

The following definitions apply to OAR 690-076-0005 to 690-076-0035. (1) “Affected Local Government” means any local government as defined in OAR 690-005-0015, within whose jurisdiction a minimum perennial streamflow is proposed or established. (2) “Basin” means any one of the major drainage areas identified by the Commission for program planning and management purposes. Basin boundaries are identified on Water Resources Department map 0.6. (3) “Classification” means the designation in basin programs of allowed and preferred beneficial uses of a specified water source as provided in ORS 536.340. A classification may also reserve quantities of water for preferred beneficial uses. (4) “Commission” means Water Resources Commission. (5) “Department” means Water Resources Department. (6) “Director” means Water Resources Director. (7) “Minimum Perennial Streamflow,” also minimum streamflow, means an administrative rule that establishes a flow necessary to support aquatic life or minimize pollution. The rule includes a priority date and specifies streamflow levels for all or any period of the year. It establishes priority for instream use over future appropriations and identifies flow objectives for future management in streams where shortages occur. The Commission will assume minimum streamflow levels are most appropriate for support of aquatic life if the flows are the lowest level which, if maintained, would support a population of key fish species consistent with the management objectives of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Commission will assume minimum streamflow levels are most appropriate for minimizing pollution if the flows are the lowest level which, if maintained, would assure that projected loading levels from adequately treated wastes and best management practices for non-point sources would not result in violation of water quality standards of the Department of Environmental Quality. (8) “Planned” means a determination has been made for a specific course of action either by administrative or budgetary action of a public body or by engineering, design work, investment toward construction or application for a development permit from the private sector. (9) “Potential” means an option which could reasonably occur in the future but is not planned. A feasibility determination may or may not have been completed, but the option has not been ruled out. (10) “Subbasin” means any subarea of a basin defined by surface drainage patterns such as the drainage basin of any tributary, or the area draining to any point on a river, or draining between two points on a river. (11) “Withdrawal” means an administrative rule prohibiting all new appropriations for particular uses from a source for part or all of the year as provided in ORS 536.410. A withdrawal can be set for a prescribed length of time or indefinitely until modified or revoked by the Commission.