ORS 541.923: Watershed management program; project funding; high priority watersheds.
Edition: 2025 EditionEffective: 2026-01-01Last verified: 2026-09-07
(1) The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board shall initiate a watershed management program that relies on the establishment of voluntary local watershed councils comprised of residents, state and federal agency staff, members of federally recognized Indian tribes and other citizens interested in the management of watersheds and that provides for the development by these partnerships of local plans that may include but are not limited to the assessment of the watershed condition, the creation of a watershed action plan and a strategy for implementing the action plan. The program shall focus state resources on the achievement of sustainable watershed health, including funding major projects that contribute to the overall health of a watershed. In addition, the board shall fund smaller, voluntary projects for watershed enhancement and for restoration of riparian areas and associated uplands. (2) In carrying out the program under subsection (1) of this section, the board may designate high priority watersheds. However, the designation of high priority watersheds is intended only as a management tool for state agencies in allocating resources to support coordinated watershed management activities. Such designation is not intended to establish or confer any right, duty or authority, nor to have any legal significance beyond that described in this section, nor to discourage or prohibit the formation and function of voluntary local watershed councils in other watersheds. (3) The elected officials representing the appropriate local government groups containing or within a proposed watershed council area shall determine whether to participate in the voluntary formation of a local watershed council. When multiple local government groups are involved within an area that would be served by a watershed council, the affected local government groups shall together determine their respective roles and the appropriate method for appointing members to a local watershed council. [Formerly 541.384]
Official history and status
History: Note: See note under 541.890.
Administrative rules citing this section
- OAR 695-001-0000: Notice Rule — implements
- OAR 695-004-0010: Purpose — implements
- OAR 695-004-0020: Definitions — implements
- OAR 695-004-0030: Process and Criteria — implements
- OAR 695-005-0010: Purpose — implements
- OAR 695-005-0020: Definitions — implements
- OAR 695-005-0030: Application Requirements — implements
- OAR 695-005-0040: Application Processing — implements
- OAR 695-005-0045: Climate-Related Evaluation Criteria — implements
- OAR 695-005-0050: Grant Agreement Conditions — implements
- OAR 695-005-0060: Distribution of Funds — implements
- OAR 695-005-0070: Waiver of Rules — implements
- OAR 695-005-0080: Periodic Rules Review and Program Evaluation — implements
- OAR 695-010-0010: Purpose — implements
- OAR 695-010-0020: Definitions — implements
- OAR 695-010-0030: Watershed Restoration Priorities — implements
- OAR 695-010-0040: Ineligible Project Types — implements
- OAR 695-010-0050: Application Requirements — implements
- OAR 695-010-0060: Evaluation Criteria — implements
- OAR 695-010-0070: Regional Review Process — implements
- OAR 695-010-0080: Staff Funding Recommendation Process — implements
- OAR 695-010-0090: Board Funding Decision — implements
- OAR 695-010-0100: Grant Agreement Conditions — implements
- OAR 695-010-0110: Waiver of Rules — implements
- OAR 695-025-0080: Purpose — implements
- OAR 695-025-0090: Definitions — implements
- OAR 695-025-0100: Eligibility — implements
- OAR 695-025-0140: Evaluation Criteria — implements
- OAR 695-025-0150: Technical Review Process — implements
- OAR 695-025-0160: Staff Funding Recommendation Process — implements
- OAR 695-025-0170: Funding Decision — implements
- OAR 695-025-0180: Grant Agreement Conditions — implements
- OAR 695-025-0190: Waiver and Periodic Review of Rules — implements
- OAR 695-030-0005: Purpose — implements
- OAR 695-030-0015: Definitions — implements
- OAR 695-030-0025: Eligibility — implements
- OAR 695-030-0035: Application Requirements — implements
- OAR 695-030-0045: Evaluation Criteria — implements
- OAR 695-030-0055: Technical Review Process — implements
- OAR 695-030-0065: Staff Funding Recommendation Process — implements
- OAR 695-030-0075: Funding Decision — implements
- OAR 695-030-0085: Grant Agreement Conditions — implements
- OAR 695-030-0095: Waiver and Periodic Review of Rules — implements
- OAR 695-035-0010: Small Grant Program — implements
- OAR 695-035-0015: Definitions — implements
- OAR 695-035-0020: Small Grant Program Administered by Small Grant Teams — implements
- OAR 695-035-0030: Small Grant Project Application — implements
- OAR 695-035-0040: Small Grant Project Grants — implements
- OAR 695-035-0050: Eligible Small Grant Projects — implements
- OAR 695-035-0060: Ineligible Small Grant Projects — implements
- OAR 695-035-0070: Periodic Review and Evaluation of the Small Grant Program — implements
- OAR 695-035-0080: Waiver of Rules — implements
- OAR 695-046-0201: Staff Funding Recommendation Process — implements
- OAR 695-046-0202: Funding Decision — implements
- OAR 695-047-0010: Purpose — implements
- OAR 695-047-0020: Definitions — implements
- OAR 695-047-0030: Board-identified Priorities — implements
- OAR 695-047-0040: Eligibility — implements
- OAR 695-047-0060: Evaluation Criteria — implements
- OAR 695-047-0070: Focused Investment Partnership Initiative Expert Review Process — implements
- OAR 695-047-0080: Focused Investment Partnership Initiative Funding Recommendation Process — implements
- OAR 695-047-0090: Board Funding Decision — implements
- OAR 695-047-0100: Focused Investment Partnership Implementation Initiative Partnership Agreement — implements
- OAR 695-047-0110: Focused Investment Partnership Implementation Initiative Project-level Grant Process — implements
- OAR 695-047-0120: Distribution of Funds — implements
- OAR 695-047-0130: Reporting — implements
- OAR 695-047-0140: Waiver and Periodic Review of Rules — implements
- OAR 695-050-0010: Purpose — implements
- OAR 695-050-0015: Definitions — implements
- OAR 695-050-0020: Policy — implements
- OAR 695-050-0025: Applicability — implements
- OAR 695-050-0030: Compliance with Statewide Planning Goals — implements
- OAR 695-050-0035: Compatibility with Acknowledged Comprehensive Plans — implements
- OAR 695-050-0040: Compliance of New or Amended Rules and Programs and their Compatibility with Acknowledged Comprehensive Plans — implements
- OAR 695-050-0045: Coordination with State and Federal Agencies and Special Districts — implements
- OAR 695-050-0050: Cooperation with, and Technical Assistance to, Local Governments — implements
This rule cites
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Cited by
Official source: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors541.html