OAR 690-400-0000: Purpose and Authorization

(1) These rules, and those contained in division 410, establish statewide policies and principles pertaining to a wide range of water-related topics. All Water Resources Commission and Department activities, including but not limited to: (a) Basin planning; (b) Interagency coordination; and (c) Development and adoption of rules, standards, and implementing strategies to govern Department programs and activities, shall be compatible with these rules and those contained in division 410. (2) ORS 536.220 authorizes a single state agency, the Water Resources Commission, to formulate and implement an integrated, coordinated state water resources policy. The Water Resources Commission shall progressively formulate plans and programs to develop the water resources of the state and provide for the enforcement of state water policy. State water resources policy must promote the maximum beneficial use of the waters of the state. Multiple water uses shall be preferred over single-purpose uses. Existing water rights shall be protected in accordance with relative priority dates except as they may be temporarily modified under emergency drought circumstances. The Commission shall, in adopting polices that affect the appropriation and control of water resources, design those policies to best protect and promote the general public welfare. (3) The Water Resources Commission is required by ORS 536.300(2) to develop a state program for managing Oregon’s water. The Commission has established the Oregon Water Management Program which consists of statewide policies (OAR 690, divisions 400 and 410), basin programs (OAR 690, divisions 500 to 520) and non-rule program direction for implementing statewide policies and basin level actions (ORS 536.430). (4) In formulating the Oregon Water Management Program, the Commission shall consider declarations of policy provided in ORS 536.310. These declarations mandate the consideration of existing rights, economic development, human consumptive needs, multiple uses, groundwater quality, protection of wildlife, recreation, watershed management, and other priorities outlined by the Legislature. These rules, and those contained in division 410, are adopted as statements for inclusion in the integrated, coordinated state water resources policy required under ORS 536.300. (5) The programs and plans of the Commission are to reflect all laws that relate to or affect the use and control of the water resources of the state (ORS 536.330). The Legislature, in ORS 536.360, directs every state agency and public corporation to conform to statements of state water resources policy as adopted by the Water Resources Commission.