The Department is scoping a rulemaking to amend OAR Chapter 690, Divisions 250, 260, 300, and 340. We invite you to join us at open houses to share your thoughts on how we should address topics such as waste of water, bulges in the system, and violations and penalties. We will also explain required rule changes from recent legislation, including exempt use and water hauling.
Divisions 250 and 260 were last amended in 1988 and 1990, respectively. Since then, legislators have added new statutes and clarified expectations for lawful water use, including Senate Bills SB 85 (2023), and SB 326 (2023), and House Bills HB 2010 (2023), HB 2929 (2023), HB 3372 (2025), and HB 4061 (2022). While these rules are open to revision, OWRD is also interested in making other improvements.
The new or amended rules would seek to:
- Align rules with current statutory authority
- Modernize watermaster regulation process
- Build regulatory consistency
- Add and clarify definitions
Please see the dates and time for each event under the open house tab below.
The Department is planning to host the open houses across the state:
New – Virtual Open House
June 22, 2026, 2–4 p.m.
Tillamook
May 19, 2026, 6–8 p.m.
Tillamook Bay Community College
Rooms 214 and 215
4301 Third St.
Tillamook, OR 97141
Monmouth
May 21, 2026, 6–8 p.m.
Monmouth City Hall
Council Room Chambers
151 Main St W.
Monmouth, OR 97361
Roseburg
May 27, 2026, 6–8 p.m.
Roseburg Public Library
Ford Room
1409 NE Diamond Lake Blvd.
Roseburg, OR 97470
Klamath Falls
May 28, 2026, 6–8 p.m.
Klamath Community College
Conference Center Building 7
7390 S 6th St.
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
Hood River
June 2, 2026, 6–8 p.m.
Hood River Armory
1590 12th St.
Hood River, OR 97301
Hermiston
June 3, 2026, 6–8 p.m.
Hermiston Armory
900 SE Columbia Dr.
Hermiston, OR 97801
Baker City
June 15, 2026, 6–8 p.m.
Baker City High School
Main Common Area
2500 E St.
Baker City, OR 97814
Ontario
June 16, 2026, 6–8 p.m. (MST)
Four Rivers Cultural Center
676 SW 5th Ave.
Ontario, OR 97914
Redmond
June 17, 2026, 6–8 p.m.
Sleep Inn and Suites
1847 NW 6th St.
Redmond, OR 97756
Open House Materials and Surveys
The following materials will be distributed and used at the open houses to share information and gather feedback on these potential rulemaking topics.
For each topic there is:
A handout that provides a brief description of the issue, explains why rulemaking may be needed, invites feedback on the topic, and shares how you can stay engaged in this rulemaking
A set of survey questions where you can submit an answer, skip a question, and/or view results of other submissions. The survey responses are anonymous. The surveys will be available until 5pm on June 26, 2026.
OWRD reviews all feedback to understand community concerns, identify potential impacts, and determine scope and content of rules, considering this input alongside legal requirements, scientific data, and policy goals. While not every suggestion can be incorporated due to statutory requirements, scientific constraints, and policy obligations, community feedback helps OWRD ensure the final rules are clear, practical, and appropriately responsive to community needs.
Overview of Rulemaking
Overview of Rulemaking Handout
Waste of Water
Bulges In the System
Exempt Uses
Violations and Penalties
Rotation Agreements