SUBJECT: The Oregon Water Resources Department (Department) is seeking comment on proposed amendments to its Monitoring Well rules in OAR Chapter 690, Division 240, and Water Supply Well rules in OAR 690, Division 205.

HOW TO COMMENT: Send letters, marked-up copies of the draft rules or other materials expressing your opinion to the following address:

Water Resources Department

158 12^th Street NE

Salem, OR 97301-4172

ATTN: Juno Pandian

or by fax at: (503) 378-8130, ATTN: Juno Pandian

Letters need not be typed, but should be legible, as should any other materials you send. In addition, you can speak or submit written comments at the following public hearing:

Monday, June 24, 2002

9:00 to 10:00 AM and

7:00 to 8:00 PM

Water Resources Department

Conference Room C

158 12^th Street NE

Salem, Oregon

BACKGROUND:

Currently, under OAR 690-240-0090 and 690-205-0070 start cards may be submitted no later than the day well construction, alteration, conversion or abandonment begins. The proposed amendments would require, in most cases, start card submittal before commencing construction, alteration, abandonment or conversion of wells. Consistent with existing statute, the proposed rules also require a start card fee for landowners constructing their own wells under a landowner permit. In addition, the proposed rules require additional information from landowners constructing their own well under a landowner permit and place limits on the duration of a landowner well construction permit. The proposed rules clarify the Department’s authority to deny a landowner well construction permit under OAR 690-240-0082 and 690-205-0050.

The Department anticipates minor impacts to landowners constructing their own wells. Landowners will be required to pay a $75.00 start card fee, consistent with existing statute. These fees are used to inspect landowner constructed wells which aids in the protection of the ground water resource and other ground water users. In addition, landowners that do not complete a well under a landowner permit within six months may be required to reapply for a landowner permit.

The Department does not expect the proposed rules to have significant fiscal impact on the Department. The Department will use existing staff to implement these rules. The Department does not anticipate the implementation of these rules will result in economic impacts to state agencies, businesses, including small businesses and local governments.

THE REVIEW PROCESS:

Please present your comments by speaking at the public hearing listed above, or by sending your written comments by mail or fax to the Water Resources Department at the address on the front page. Written comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 8, 2002.

It will be your responsibility to verify that faxed comments are received. The Commission is likely to consider adoption of the rules and rule amendments at its meeting on August 9, 2002. The Water Resources Commission may choose to receive additional oral public comment on the proposed rules as part of an agenda item at any future Commission meeting.

For copies of the proposed rules or further information on the public hearings, contact Ms. Day Marshall at (503) 378-8455, ext. 251. You may also obtain a copy of the proposed rules on the Department's web page at http://www.wrd.state.or.us/cgi-bin/notices.pl?oar_notices

Note: The services, programs and activities of the Water Resources Department are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities. The Department intends to comply with the ADA. If you are interested and need special accommodations to participate in the public hearings, please contact the Department at (503) 378-3739, at least 48 hours prior to the hearing.