Oregon Water Rights Boot Camp

Typical Agenda

 

I.                     Hydrology for the Non-Hydrologist

A.      Groundwater

B.       Surface Water

C.       Hydrological Cycle

D.      Wells, Pumps & Other Infrastructure

 

II.                   History of Water Use: Ancient Times to Present

A.      Riparian

B.       Tribal/Pueblo

C.       Overflow/Diversion

D.      English Rule of Capture

E.       Mining Law

F.       Prior Appropriation

 

III.                 Local, State & Federal Agencies Affecting Water Use Administration

A.      Public & Private

B.       State

C.       Federal

 

IV.                 Dissecting a Water Right

A.      Type

B.       Priority

C.       Beneficial Use/Purpose

D.      Place of Use

E.       Point of Diversion/Appropriation

F.       Rate

G.       Volume/Duty

H.      Conditions

I.         Related Documents

 

V.                   Adjudication/Decrees

A.      Initiating Adjudication

B.       Process

C.       Enforcement

 

VI.                 Water Code

A.      Application

B.       Process

C.       Permits

D.      Extensions

E.       Certificate

F.       Transfers

 

VII.               Losing a Water Right

A.      Lack of Perfection

B.       Failure to Diligently Develop

C.       Abandonment

D.      Forfeiture

E.       Cancellation Process

 

VIII.             Protecting Existing Rights

A.      Public Notice

B.       Filing A Protest

C.       Contested Case Hearing Process

IX.                Taking a Water Rights Inventory

A.      Property Description

B.       Deeds

C.       Plat Indices

D.      Water Right Files

 

X.                  Transactional Considerations

A.      Severing Appurtenances

B.       Assigning Easement

C.       Federal Contracts

 

XI.                Administering & Managing, Regulating Water

A.      Agency

B.       River Call

C.       Water Call

D.      Water Storage

E.       Trans-Boundary Diversions & Basin of Origin Protection

 

XII.              Interstate & Federal Law

A.      Interstate Compacts

B.       Laws Specific to Geographic Area

C.       Endangered Species Act

D.      Clean Water Act

E.       Safe Drinking Water Act