Category Archives: Water Resources Dept. (WRD)

E. Oregon county objects to new state water rules

The Wallowa County Board of Commissioners has approved a letter objecting to Oregon Water Resources Department plans to implement groundwater allocation rules. The county is asking the department to reject the proposed rules since they would be “harmful to the county and the state.” The commissioners approved and sent the letter at their meeting on […]
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Agencies, cities convene to discuss water conservation in Central Oregon

Cities, towns and rural areas in Central Oregon face challenges in using water amid drought and growth. Navigating the various options for conservation and collaboration dominated talks here on Thursday during a three-hour meeting of regional leaders. The meeting at Redmond City Hall focused squarely on a groundwater rule proposed by the Oregon Water Resources […]
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Agencies, cities convene to discuss groundwater cap in Central Oregon

Cities, towns and rural areas in Central Oregon face challenges in using water amid drought and growth. Navigating the various options for conservation and collaboration dominated talks here on Thursday during a three-hour meeting of regional leaders. The meeting at Redmond City Hall focused squarely on a groundwater rule proposed by the Oregon Water Resources […]
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Oregon irrigation modernization recommendations raise timing concerns

A team of experts has recommended Oregon water regulators spend $13.5 million in their initial phase of distributing $50 million allocated by lawmakers for irrigation modernization projects. The relatively modest amount and the sizable proportion of projects not recommended for funding have raised concerns about whether some irrigation districts will be able to meet federal […]
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Oregon’s better snowpack, water supply outlook brings state denial of Jefferson County’s drought declaration request

A better winter snowpack for much of Oregon has improved water supply conditions to the point where Jefferson County’s request for a state drought declaration for the sixth straight year was denied, and a request for consideration Wednesday fared no better before the Oregon Drought Committee. County Commissioner Kelly Simmelink and the county’s emergency manager, […]
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Experienced regulator nominated as Oregon’s top water official

Water advocates of all stripes agree Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has nominated someone who knows the ropes to be the state’s top water official. Those hoping for fresh blood at the Oregon Water Resources Department, however, see her choice of a long-time employee, Ivan Gall, as uninspired. Source: Experienced regulator nominated as Oregon’s top water […]
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Oregon insiders: Who’s who in and around state government

Scott Moore is on his way in and Jenn Baker is on her way out as chief of staff for new House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene. Baker is still chief of staff on an interim basis during the transition. And Moore, who was Fahey’s chief of staff in the House Majority Office, also is handling […]
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After two searches, Kotek appoints insider to lead state water department

Ivan Gall will need to be confirmed as the new director of the Water Resources Department by the state Senate, which critics say is far from certain. After two searches within the last year, including a national sweep for top water managers, Gov. Tina Kotek has settled on an insider to oversee management of Oregon’s […]
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Meta funds new Prineville aquifer storage expansion

During the hottest days of summer in Prineville, when the city’s data centers have cranked up the air conditioning, water consumption in the area can become strained. That’s when the city’s high-tech aquifer storage recovery system — designed to save excess water in winter for use in summer — kicks into gear. Now, the multimillion […]
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Oregon’s groundwater is declining – OPB’s Think Out Loud

Oregon’s groundwater is being used faster than it’s being replenished, and the state’s aquifers are declining. The Oregon Water Resources Department is proposing new rules in response. The agency would change the way it decides if groundwater will be available for new users. Justin Iverson is the groundwater section manager for OWRD. He joins us […]
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