OAR 690-508-0020: Middle Grande Ronde Subbasin

(1) Classifications: (a) The maximum economic development of this state, the attainment of the highest and best use of the waters of the Middle Grande Ronde Basin, and the attainment of an integrated and coordinated program for the benefit of the state as a whole, will be furthered through utilization of the aforementioned waters only for domestic, livestock, municipal, irrigation, flow augmentation, commercial, agriculture, power development, industrial, mining, recreation, wildlife and fish life purposes and the waters of the Middle Grande Ronde Basin are hereby so classified. (b) Structures or works for utilization of the waters in accordance with the aforementioned classifications are also declared to be prejudicial to the public interest unless planned, constructed, and operated in conformity with the applicable provisions of ORS 536.310 and any such structures or works are further declared to be prejudicial to the public interest which do not give proper cognizance to the multiple-purpose concept. (2) Water Quality: Rights to use of water for industrial or mining purposes shall be issued only on the condition that any effluents or return flows from such uses shall not interfere with other beneficial uses. (3) Power Development: Water rights acquired for hydroelectric power purposes utilizing the waters of the Middle Grande Ronde Basin shall be subordinate in priority to future beneficial uses of water except for hydroelectric power.