New: Public Comment Period Now Open Through February 6, 2026
The purpose of this rulemaking is to (1) implement legislation, including House Bill 3342 (Chapter 282, 2025 Oregon Law) relating to water rights transactions, House Bill 3544 (Chapter 575, 2025 Oregon Law) relating to contested case processes, Senate Bill 1154 (Chapter 605, 2025 Oregon Law) relating to issuing water rights for public water systems to replace domestic wells in groundwater quality management areas, and pre-2025 legislation relating to split season leasing and transfers of stored water rights; (2) implement other policy and process improvements relating to water rights transactions; and (3) other changes, including aligning definitions with updated rules and cleaning up impacted rule divisions by fixing spelling, grammar, formatting, rule numbering, statutory and rule references, and other statutory minor corrections (ORS 183.335(7)).
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Corrected: Notice of Change to Land Use Program
Public Comments
Written comments should be sent to:
Laura Hartt
Oregon Water Resources Department
725 Summer Street NE, Suite A
Salem, OR 97301
Email: WRD_DL_rule-coordinator@water.oregon.gov
Comments must be received by 5 p.m., February 6, 2026
Hybrid Informational Sessions and Public Hearing Dates, Times, and Locations
Two public hearings will be conducted as hybrid meetings, providing an opportunity to give testimony either in person, virtually, or by phone. Each hearing will be preceded by an informational session during which time members of the public may ask questions. Public comments will be accepted during the hearings that follow.
Date: January 27, 2026
Informational Session: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Public Hearing: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: North Mall Office Building, Room 124, 725 Summer St NE, Ste A, Salem, OR 97301
Zoom Registration
Phone: 719-359-4580
Conference ID: 94968545223
Date: January 29, 2026
Informational Session: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Public Hearing: 10 a.m. - noon
Location: City of Bend Public Works Campus, 21051 NE Talus Place, Prowell Springs Conf Room - 3rd Floor, Bend, OR 97701
Zoom Registration
Phone: 719-359-4580
Conference ID: 91305338974
Follow Our Rulemaking
Receive GovDelivery Email Notifications
Or contact the Rules Coordinator, Laura Hartt (laura.a.hartt@water.oregon.gov; 971-720-0963)
Water Rights Process Improvement
For updated information about other water right process improvement work, please visit our webpage.
2025 Statutes and Current Rules
2025 Statutes
Current Rules
Proposed Rules by Division
Division 2 – Protests and Contested Cases
Division 14 – Certified Water Rights Examiners
Division 17 – Cancellation of Perfected Water Rights
Division 18 – Allocation of Conserved Water
Division 77 – Instream Water Rights
Division 300 - Definitions
Division 305 (new) - General Map Criteria
Division 310 – Water Right Application Processing
Division 315 – Water Right Permit Extensions
Division 325 – Assignment of a Water Permit and Request for Issuance of Replacement Permits
Clean version (122225)
Division 340 – Water Use Authorization
Division 380 – Water Right Transfers
Division 382 – Groundwater Registration Modifications
2025 Rules Advisory Committee Meeting Materials
Rules Advisory Committee Meeting #1 – September 17, 2025
Rules Advisory Committee Meeting #2 – September 24, 2025
Draft Rules
Division 2 (with updated rule summary cover sheet)
Rules Advisory Committee Meeting #3 – October 14, 2025
Rules Advisory Committee Meeting #4 – October 15, 2025
Rules Advisory Committee Meeting #5 – October 21, 2025
Rules Advisory Committee Meeting #6 – October 29, 2025 (morning meeting)
Rules Advisory Committee Meeting #7 – October 29, 2025 (afternoon meeting)
Rules Advisory Committee VIRTUAL Meeting: Follow up on OAR 690-002 – October 31, 2025 (10 a.m. – noon)
Rules Advisory Committee Meeting #8 – November 12, 2025 (8:30 a.m. – noon)
Rules Advisory Committee Meeting #9 – November 21, 2025 (8:30 a.m. – noon)
Agenda
Draft Rules
Available documents are linked below:
Rules Advisory Committee – Post Meeting Follow Up