A groundwater user may obtain mitigation credits from a mitigation bank. Mitigation banks may implement any mitigation project (unless limited by charter agreement) to establish mitigation credits. They are also the only entity that may develop mitigation credits based on instream leases and time-limited instream transfers.
The banks then make those credits available for purchase by groundwater permit applicants and/or permit holders. A groundwater permit applicant may obtain part or all of the mitigation credits, within the required zone of impact, needed to satisfy a mitigation obligation from a chartered Mitigation Bank. Please note that 100% of the required mitigation must be provided before a permit may be issued (unless the permit application is for municipal or quasi-municipal water use with an authorized incremental development plan).
If utilizing a time-limited transfer or instream lease to establish mitigation credits, for each mitigation credit assigned to a permit applicant to satisfy a mitigation obligation, the mitigation bank must hold a matching mitigation credit in reserve.
Deschutes River Conservancy (DRC) Mitigation Bank: The DRC Mitigation Bank may hold and convey any type of mitigation credits, including temporary (annual) mitigation credits based on instream leases and time-limited instream transfers.
Deschutes Irrigation (DI) LLC Mitigation Bank: The DI LLC Mitigation Bank, operated by John Short, may only hold and convey permanent mitigation credits based on instream transfers.
Arnold Irrigation District Mitigation Bank: The Arnold Irrigation District Mitigation Bank may hold and convey any type of mitigation credits, including temporary (annual) mitigation credits based on instream leases and time-limited instream transfers.
To become a mitigation bank, a person or entity must apply to the Oregon Water Resources Department and obtain a charter agreement from the Oregon Water Resources Commission.