ORS 537.460 Legislative findings; policy

The Legislative Assembly finds and declares that conservation and efficient utilization of water benefits all water users, provides water to satisfy current and future needs through reduction of consumptive waste, improves water quality by reducing contaminated return flow, prevents erosion and allows increased in-stream flow.

It is therefore declared to be the policy of the State of Oregon to:

Aggressively promote conservation;

Encourage the highest and best use of water by allowing the sale or lease of the right to the use of conserved water; and

Encourage local cooperation and coordination in development of conservation projects to provide incentives for increased efficiency and to improve streamflows.

As used in this section, “efficient utilization” means use without waste, upgrading of irrigation equipment to comply with modern practices within a reasonable time period or other methods used to meet both current and future water needs at the least cost.