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Petition To Change Department Records Within Water Districts 


Published: 2015

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WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT









 

DIVISION 13
PETITION TO CHANGE DEPARTMENT RECORDS WITHIN WATER DISTRICTS 

690-013-0005
Introduction
The purpose of these rules is to establish the criteria for filing petitions to adjust the water right record to match the actual use of the water within districts. Such petitions were authorized by ORS 541.325 - 541.333, 536.050 and 540.520 as modified by Chapter 818, Oregon Laws 1993. This process cannot enlarge the original right or injure existing rights. The rules also define the standards for petitions and maps submitted by districts and for individual applications.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 541.325 - ORS 541.333

Stats. Implemented: ORS 537,325 - ORS 541.333

Hist.: WRD 1-1990, f. & cert. ef. 1-11-90; WRD 1-1993, f. & cert. ef. 2-3-93; WRD 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 3-25-94
690-013-0010
Definitions
(1) "Altered by the Petition or Proposed Order": A water right is altered by the petition or proposed order if its defining parameters would be changed if the petition or proposed order were approved. The defining parameters include, among others, the place of use, rate, duty, and limitations.
(2) "Application" means a written request by individuals to change or transfer a water right. See the definition of "petition".
(3) "Commission" means the Water Resources Commission.
(4) "Department" means the Water Resources Department.
(5) "Director" means the Director of the Department.
(6) "General Description" means the location of property or district by government subdivision, metes and bounds or tax lot.
(7) "Interim Transfer" means a change in use or place of use of those rights eligible under OAR Chapter 690, Division 13, made during the preparation of a petition, and prior to the submission of that petition to the Water Resources Department.
(8) "Owned or Controlled" means ownership in fee, purchase on a land sale contract, option to purchase or lease.
(9) "Perfected Water Right" means a water right confirmed by a court decree, water right certificates or transfers recognized as complete by the Department.
(10) "Petition" means a written request by a district for a new water right certificate which will include changes within districts. See the definition of "application".
(11) "Transfer" means a formal change of use or place of use of a perfected water right, pursuant to OAR Chapter 690, Division 15.
(12) "User" means an owner of land with an appurtenant water right pursuant to current state records or proposed to be recognized as a result of a petition; and subject either previously or currently, to assessment by a district and which right would be altered by the petition and map filed by a district.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 541.325 - ORS 541.333

Stats. Implemented: ORS 537,325 - ORS 541.333

Hist.: WRD 1-1990, f. & cert. ef. 1-11-90; WRD 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 3-25-94
690-013-0030
Eligibility to Petition
(1) The following types of water rights are eligible to petition:
(a) A perfected water right which has been assessed by a district in at least one of the last five years. It is not necessary for the water right to be in the name of the district;
(b) An approved transfer of water rights to lands which have been assessed by a district in at least one of the last five years but are not certified by the Department; and
(c) A permit for supplemental supply which moves with the perfected primary right.
(2) The following are not eligible to petition:
(a) A permit which is a primary supply of water; and
(b) A request for point of diversion change.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 541.325 - ORS 541.333

Stats. Implemented: ORS 537,325 - ORS 541.333

Hist.: WRD 1-1990, f. & cert. ef. 1-11-90; WRD 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 3-25-94
690-013-0050
Individual Applications
(1) If the district fails or refuses to file a petition, an owner may file an application affecting only the owner's land. The application shall be on the form provided by the Department. Division 15 transfer rules shall apply except that the applicant shall not be obliged to hire a Certified Water Right Examiner to prepare the application map and claim of beneficial use. Fees for those applications shall be as specified in ORS 536.050.
(2) Several owners within a section quarter-quarter may file as a group. The application shall comply with Division 15 rules except that the applicant shall not be obliged to hire a Certified Water Right Examiner to prepare the application map and claim of beneficial use. There are no fees required by these applications.
(3) Applications under this section will adhere to the timing and verification procedures found in OAR 690-013-0300 and 690-013-0350.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 541.325 - ORS 541.333

Stats. Implemented: ORS 537,325 - ORS 541.333

Hist.: WRD 1-1990, f. & cert. ef. 1-11-90; WRD 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 3-25-94
690-013-0070
Interim Transfers
Water right changes inside districts made prior to July 1, 1993, may comply with the following:
(1) Where the change is to occur prior to the District submitting its petition which will include this change, the district may submit a notice to the Department. This notice requires no fee, but shall include:
(a) A statement that the district intends to file a petition including this change; and
(b) A completed interim transfer notice on a form provided by the Department.
(2) If a more formal record of a change is desired by a user prior to the district submitting its petition, the user may submit a transfer application in compliance with Division 15 rules and ORS 536.050 and 540.510 to 540.530.
(3) For a change after a district has submitted its petition, a landowner must submit a transfer application in compliance with Division 15 rules and ORS 536.050 and 540.510 to 540.530.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 541.325 - ORS 541.333

Stats. Implemented: ORS 537,325 - ORS 541.333

Hist.: WRD 1-1990, f. & cert. ef. 1-11-90; WRD 1-1993, f. & cert. ef. 2-3-93; WRD 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 3-25-94
690-013-0100
District Petitions
The district petition shall
include:
(1) A listing of:
(a) All of the applicable water
rights on lands within the district boundaries;
(b) Only the lands where water
use changes have occurred. If the change involves part of a section quarter-quarter,
all water rights in the quarter-quarter must be requested; or
(c) A portion of the district
to provide a clear record of the water rights. If a portion involves part of a section
quarter-quarter, the entire quarter-quarter must be requested. Any part of the district
that no longer matches the Department map or certificate should be included in the
petition.
(2) A listing of all completed
transfers appurtenant to the lands listed.
(3) A map meeting the requirements
of OAR 690-013-0200.
(4) A description of the land
to which each water right is appurtenant, including the township, range, section,
quarter-quarter and assessor's tax lot number. The water right shall be described
by the number of acres within each quarter-quarter, the use and the user's name.
If a tax lot covers more than one quarter-quarter, it shall be listed in each quarter-quarter.
(5) A description of the district's
legal boundaries.
(6) A description of the type(s)
of use made on each parcel listed in the petition.
(7) A list containing the total
number of acres:
(a) Contained in the petition;
(b) Assessed by the district
as of July 1, 1989; and
(c) Assessed by the district
as of July 1, 1993.
(8) A statement of whether the
U.S. Secretary of the Interior must assent to inclusion of lands within the district's
boundaries. If the Secretary's assent is required but has not yet been given, the
petition must include a copy of the district's request for the Secretary's assent.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 541.325 - 541.333

Stats. Implemented: ORS 537.325
- 541.333

Hist.: WRD 1-1990, f. &
cert. ef. 1-11-90; WRD 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 3-25-94; WRD 1-2012, f 1-31-12,
cert. ef. 2-1-12
690-013-0110
Requests for Additional Information
(1) Pursuant to ORS 541.329(6), the Director may require additional information if the Director determines it is needed to evaluate the petition.
(2) If the Director returns a petition or map to a district for correction or additional information, the Director shall prescribe a reasonable deadline for the petitioner to provide additional information or correct the petition and map. If the petitioner fails to meet the deadline prescribed by the Director, the Director may deny the petition.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 541.325 - ORS 541.333

Stats. Implemented: ORS 537,325 - ORS 541.333

Hist.: WRD 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 3-25-94
690-013-0120
Supplemental Permits
When supplemental permits apply to lands having perfected water rights, the supplemental permit shall be appurtenant to the land listed in the petition.
Stat. Auth.: Ch. 1000, Oregon Laws 1989

Stats. Implemented: Ch. 1000, Oregon Laws 1989

Hist.: WRD 1-1990, f. & cert. ef. 1-11-90
690-013-0150
District Shall Certify Petition
(1) The petitioner or petitioner's authorized representative shall certify that the information contained in the petition and attached exhibits is true and accurate to the best knowledge of the petitioner.
(2) The petitioner shall certify that notice was sent by certified mail to the user of every parcel whose right of record, as evidenced by the district's records, is to be altered by the petition. The certification shall state that the notice was sent to the last known address of the user with a return receipt requested and include:
(a) The number of acres of land or its equivalent for which the user is being assessed;
(b) A general description or tax lot number of the land to which the water is assigned;
(c) A description of the use; and
(d) A request that the user confirm that the information in the notice is correct.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 541.325 - ORS 541.333

Stats. Implemented: ORS 537.325 - ORS 541.333

Hist.: WRD 1-1990, f. & cert. ef. 1-11-90; WRD 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 3-25-94
690-013-0200
Mapping Requirements
The map submitted with a district petition or individual application shall meet the following criteria:
(1) The preferred map size is 8 1/2" by 11"; the maximum size shall be 30" x 30" unless prior approval is obtained from the Department. Standard map symbols shall be used as provided by the Department.
(2) The map shall be drawn in ink on permanent quality tracing linen or 0.003-inch mylar with sufficient clarity so as to be easily reproduced. It shall be drawn to one of the following scales:
(a) One inch equals 1320 feet;
(b) One inch equals 400 feet;
(c) The assessor's scale if larger than one inch equals 1,320 feet; or
(d) A combination of these scales if using map inserts.
(3) The map shall show the following for parcels of more than five acres:
(a) The location of diversions, canals, ditches, pipelines or flumes;
(b) The location of the place where water is used. If for irrigation, the area irrigated in each section quarter-quarter shall be indicated by shading or hachuring and the number of acres in each section quarter-quarter indicated; and
(c) The scale to which the map is drawn, the section number, township, range, a north directional symbol and property boundaries.
(4) When the water right is on a tract of land of five acres or less, a notation of the acres of water right on the assessor's tax map shall be sufficient for the identification of the place of use and the extent of use. A portion of a tax map may be included as part of the map submitted.
(5) More than one water right or type of use may be entered on the same map if clearly identified by different hachuring.
Stat. Auth.: Ch. 1000, Oregon Laws 1989

Stats. Implemented: Ch. 1000, Oregon Laws 1989

Hist.: WRD 1-1990, f. & cert. ef. 1-11-90
690-013-0310
Processing of Petition
(1) When the Department receives
a petition and map the Director shall examine the petition and map under OAR 690-013-0350.
If, after the petitioner has had an opportunity to correct identified deficiencies,
this examination shows that the district has met the requirements of ORS 541.325
to 541.333 and that the proposed changes would not result in injury to existing
water rights, the Director shall issue a proposed order approving the petition as
submitted or as modified. If the Director proposes to deny a petition, the Commission
shall hold a hearing as described in section (5) of this rule.
(2) The Director shall provide
public notice of all proposed orders through publication in the Department's Weekly
Summary of Applications Filed. The Director shall also mail a summary of the proposed
order to the planning department of each affected local government, to a newspaper
of general circulation within the affected area, to any person who has requested
notification of proposals and any other parties the Director determines should be
notified. These notice requirements shall not affect petitioner's notice responsibilities
under ORS 541.329.
(3) Within 30 days after a proposed
order is issued the petitioner shall provide notice to the owners of all lands whose
rights, as recorded in the state's records or in the district's records, would be
altered by the proposed order. This notice shall be sent to the last-known address
of the landowner, with a return receipt requested. The notice shall include the
number of acres of land, or its equivalent, for which the landowner
is being assessed, if any, a general description or tax lot number of the land whose
right will be altered, and a description of the use. In addition to the notice of
the proposed order sent to the landowners, for proposed orders issued by the Department
prior to February 1, 2012, the petitioner shall publish at the same time notice
in a newspaper having general circulation in the area in which the water rights
are located for a period of at least three weeks, but for proposed orders issued
on or after February 1, 2012, for a period of at least two weeks. Not less than
one publication in each week shall be made. The notice shall state:
(a) The number of acres of water right
that each parcel shall receive;
(b) That the proposed map and
order are available for inspection at the office of the petitioner during normal
business hours for a period of 120 days from the date of first publication;
(c) That 120 days after the
date of first publication, the Commission shall approve the petition and map and
issue a final order unless a protest is filed or the petition does not meet the
requirements of ORS 541.325 to 541.333; and
(d) That a landowner whose right
of record is to be altered by the proposed order has the right to protest the proposed
order and map.
(4) Any landowner or user whose
rights, as recorded in either the state's records or the district's records, would
be altered by the petition may file with the Water Resources Commission, within
120 days after the date of first newspaper publication, as provided in section (3)
of this rule, a protest against a proposed order approving the petition. Any person
may file comments on the proposed order within 120 days of the date of first newspaper
publication. The Director may work with any person or agency submitting protests
or comments and the petitioner to determine whether the issues can be resolved through
mutually agreeable conditions, or by modifications to the proposal. Whenever a timely
protest cannot be resolved, the Commission shall schedule a hearing to consider
the protest. The Commission shall also schedule a hearing whenever, in its opinion,
considering timely comments received, it is necessary to determine:
(a) If the petitioner has met
the requirements of ORS 541.325 to 541.333;
(b) If the petition may result
in injury to existing water rights. The hearing shall be conducted according to
the provisions of ORS 183.310 to 183.550 applicable to contested cases.
(5) If after examination or
hearing, the Commission finds that:
(a) The petitioner has met the
requirements of ORS 541.325 to 541.333; and
(b) That the changes described
in the proposed order would not result in injury to existing rights; then
(c) The Commission shall issue
a final order approving the petition and map as described in the proposed order.
If the Commission cannot make the findings in subsections (a) and (b) of this section
then the final order may modify or deny the petition, and may include conditions,
as necessary to ensure that existing water rights are not injured. However, no final
order denying a petition shall be issued before holding a hearing on the denial.
If a final order approving a petition is issued, and if a water right has been issued
previously, the Commission shall cancel the previous certificate and issue a new
certificate that conforms to the final order and map and retains the original priority
date.
[Publications: Publications
referenced are available from the agency.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 541.325 - 541.333

Stats. Implemented: ORS 537.325
- 541.333

Hist.: WRD 4-1994, f. &
cert. ef. 3-25-94; WRD 1-2012, f 1-31-12, cert. ef. 2-1-12
690-013-0350
Field Verification of the Petition and Map
(1) The Director shall examine the petition and maps that are filed. The examination may include a site inspection to verify the accuracy of the petition, maps and addenda; to verify whether the application of water is to an allowed beneficial use; or to determine whether an existing water right may be injured. The Director may use statistical sampling methods in lieu of examining the entire acreage in the petition.
(2) The examination shall consider the following requirements:
(a) Evidence of a method to control and deliver the water;
(b) Evidence of cultivation of the lands described under the petition, if for irrigation; and
(c) Evidence of beneficial use of the water; and
(d) Evidence of potential injury to existing water rights.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 541.325 - ORS 541.333

Stats. Implemented: ORS 537,325 - ORS 541.333

Hist.: WRD 1-1990, f. & cert. ef. 1-11-90; WRD 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 3-25-94
690-013-0500
Penalty for Knowingly Misrepresenting Information
The Director may assess penalties of up to $1,000 for knowingly misrepresenting information within a petition or map. The following factors shall be considered when prescribing a penalty:
(1) Whether the petitioner made a material misstatement of omission of fact.
(2) The amount of land and/or volume of water in evidence in the misrepresentation in relation to the amount of land or volume of water in the whole petition.
(3) Whether the petitioner has cooperated in correcting the misrepresentation or omission in a timely fashion.
(4) The cost to the Department after the initial field examination, including travel costs to obtain and verify corrections to the petition.
(5) Any other relevant factors.
Stat. Auth.: Ch. 1000, Oregon Laws 1989

Stats. Implemented: Ch. 1000, Oregon Laws 1989

Hist.: WRD 1-1990, f. & cert. ef. 1-11-90



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