ORS 541.705 Project applications; contents

Any water developer may file with the Water Resources Commission an application to enable the construction of a water development project as provided in ORS 541.700 to 541.855. The application shall be filed in the manner, be in the form and contain or be accompanied by any information prescribed by the commission. The commission, in considering applications, shall encourage the largest number of users of the Water Development Fund and shall consider the impact on the family farm units of the state.

In addition to other requirements prescribed by the commission, an application filed under subsection (1) of this section shall:

Describe the nature and purposes of the proposed water development project, including the need for the project and reason why the project would be in the public interest.

State whether any purposes other than improvement of a drinking water system, irrigation, drainage, fish protection, watershed enhancement or municipal use, but consistent therewith, will be served by the proposed water development project, and the nature of the other purposes, if any.

Set forth or be accompanied by a feasibility study for the construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed water development project, an estimate of the costs of construction and if the project includes as a primary purpose irrigation or drainage, an evaluation of the agricultural potential of the land from any competent public agency.

State whether any moneys other than those in the Water Development Fund are proposed to be used for the construction of the proposed water development project, and whether any other moneys are available or have been sought for the construction.

Show that the applicant holds or can acquire all lands, other than public lands, and interests therein and water rights necessary for the construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed water development project.

If the application is for a safe drinking water project, the applicant also shall demonstrate that:

The applicant is a city, county, district, water authority or other political subdivision of the state or an organization operated on a not-for-profit basis that makes drinking water available to members of the general public;

The primary use of the loan will be to improve a drinking water system for the purpose of complying with applicable state or federal drinking water quality regulations; and

The applicant has:

Developed a water system master plan; and

Either has a coordination agreement in place as defined in ORS 195.020, 195.025 and 197.712 or can demonstrate that options to find a coordinated solution to the system’s drinking water problems have been fully explored.