OAR 690-340-0030: Limited License

This rule applies to limited license applications submitted to the Department on or after April 1, 2026. Applications submitted before this date shall be subject to rule in effect at the time of submittal. (1) A request for a limited license shall be submitted on a form provided by the Water Resources Department, and shall be accompanied by the following: (a) The fee for examination and recording: (A) $1150 for a limited license filing requesting the use of water for Aquifer Storage and Recovery testing purposes. (B) $575 for renewal of a limited license for Aquifer Storage and Recovery testing purposes. (C) $575 for modification of a limited license for Aquifer Storage and Recovery testing purposes. (D) $1150 for a limited license filing requesting the use of water for Artificial Groundwater Recharge purposes. (E) For limited license applications, $280 for the first point of diversion plus $30 for each additional point of diversion; and (b) A completed water availability statement from the local watermaster on forms provided by the department; and (c) A map meeting the standards in OAR chapter 690, division 305. (2) The Director shall provide notice of the request to the public in the same manner as other water use applications, but may approve the license after 14 days from the date of issuance of the weekly public notice, upon a finding that the proposed water use will not impair or be detrimental to the public interest. (3) Each limited license shall be limited to an area within a single drainage basin. (4) Except for a licensee using water under a limited license issued in conjunction with an enforcement order, the licensee shall give notice to the watermaster in the district where use is to occur not less than 15 days or more than 60 days in advance of using the water under the limited license. The notice shall include the location of the diversion, the quantity of water to be diverted and the intended use and place of use. (5) The licensee shall maintain a record of use, including the total number of hours of pumping, an estimate of the total quantity pumped, and the categories of beneficial use to which the water is applied. The record of use shall be submitted to the watermaster upon request. (6) The Director may revoke the right to use water for any reason described in ORS 537.143(2). Such revocation may be prompted by field regulatory activities or by any other reason. (7) The use of water under a limited license shall not have priority over any water right exercised according to a permit or certificate and shall be subordinate to all other authorized uses that rely upon the same source.