Proposed rules would make it harder to get permits to drill new wells
LA GRANDE — It may soon be much harder to get permits to drill new wells in Oregon.
The Oregon Water Resources Department is proposing that two new rules be established that would tighten groundwater allocation regulations. The rules are needed because Oregon’s groundwater levels are dropping due to excessive pumping, according to Justin Iverson, groundwater section manager for the Technical Services Division of the Oregon Water Resources Department.
“We are starting to see signs of over allocation across the state,” said Iverson, citing more dry wells and declining groundwater and stream levels.
The Oregon Water Resources Department’s current rules allow for new groundwater rights to be issued even when they may negatively affect surface water flows over time and may cause groundwater declines that impact wells. This would no longer be the case if the proposed rules are adopted, Iverson said at a presentation at Eastern Oregon University on Thursday, April 18.
He said if the rules are approved, it is likely fewer permits for new wells will be issued for existing groundwater resources.
Union County Commissioner Donna Beverage is among those who believe the proposed rules are excessive and do not account for regional differences.
Donna Beverage mug
Beverage
“While most water users are in agreement that we need to protect our groundwater from over pumping where water levels are in decline, the proposed changes go too far,” she said. “Implementing a one-size-fits-all for Oregon is not a prudent decision and would implement rules that, in many areas, have no data to support that decision.”
Beverage noted that a planning group for the Upper Grande Ronde Basin completed a plan that was approved by the Oregon Water Resources Department’s commission.
Advocating water storage
Union County resident Rodney Case said the Oregon Water Resource Department’s proposed rules would help address the groundwater issue, but what really needs to be done is to develop a storage system.
“We need reservoirs to store the water that is flowing past us right now that we cannot utilize,” he said.
Case encouraged the Oregon Water Resources Department and other state agencies to look into creating reservoirs to improve the groundwater situation.
Advocates of using water storage to build up groundwater levels have data from the Oregon Water Resources Department on their side, information that Iverson shared during his presentation. Iverson noted groundwater levels are higher in areas near reservoirs.
Curt Howell, of La Grande, a businessman in agriculture, also endorsed expanding water storage.
“Storage is a key part of having groundwater availability. I would advocate heartily that OWRD be an advocate for more storage, whether it is in this basin or others if we want to improve the water situation in our state,” he said. “We just need storage, storage, storage and proper management of it.”
Hard work lauded
Chris Marks, a water analyst for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, spoke in support of the proposed new rules. He said they are needed to prevent groundwater levels from being drained too low.
water hearing
About 40 people attend a hearing at Eastern Oregon University on April 18, 2024, on proposed new rules the Oregon Department of Water Resources is considering adopting.
“We need to take responsibility before it is too late,” he said.
Marks noted that water is far from an unlimited resource.
“Water is finite and by saying yes to more and more uses, we are draining precious groundwater,” he said. “We are draining the aquifers communities depend on.”
Marks said he is impressed with the thoroughness of the work the Oregon Water Resources Department did while creating its proposed new rules. He said, though, that more work needs to be done at the state level.
“Improving water management is going to be challenging,” he said. “It is going to require self-discipline and a lot more collaboration from top to bottom.”
