Rulemaking Information for OAR 690, Division 512 – Notice and Opportunity to Comment
Caption: Amending and adopting Division 512 rules concerning groundwater management in the Malheur Lake administrative basin.
Summary: The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) is seeking public comments on proposed rule modifications to Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 690, Division 512, regarding groundwater management in the Malheur Lake administrative basin. These rule changes are needed to address long-term groundwater declines in the Harney Basin. You are receiving this email because you are one of the parties required to be notified, the Department has identified you as a potential interested party, or because you are on one of our notification listservs.
Public hearings are scheduled for June 23-26, August 4, and August 5, 2025, to allow members of the public to submit oral comments. More information is provided below. Pre-hearing information sessions are offered before the June 23- 26 public hearings.
The Department will accept written public comments on the rules through 5:00 PM on August 7, 2025.
Attachments: Attached is a copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, including the Statement of Need and Fiscal Impact, as well as the proposed rules (new language underlined in bold, deleted language crossed out).
Website: The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, including the Statement of Need and Fiscal Impact, as well as the proposed rules, is available on the Oregon Secretary of State website and the Division 512 rulemaking page.
How to Comment: You may comment on the proposed rules by sending written comments by 5:00 PM on August 7, 2025.
By Mail: Division 512 Rules Coordinator
Oregon Water Resources Department
725 Summer St. NE, Suite A
Salem, OR 97301-1271
By Email: WRD_DL_rule-coordinator@water.oregon.gov
Pre-hearing Information Sessions: No comments on the proposed rules will be accepted during these sessions. To provide public comment, please attend a public hearing or submit written comments to the address and email above. The pre-hearing information only sessions, June 23 – June 26, will take place in person, as described below.
The pre-hearing information only sessions will be recorded and available for viewing within 48 hours on the Division 512 rulemaking page.
Rulemaking Hearings: You may provide oral or written comments on the proposed rules at one of the rulemaking hearings below. The public hearings on June 23-26 and August 4 are in-person only. The August 5 public hearings are hybrid meetings.
Pre-hearing Information Sessions and Public Hearings (Dates, Times, Locations):
Date: Monday, June 23, 2025
Information Session: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Public Hearing: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: The Pine Room, 543 W Monroe Street, Burns, OR 97720
Meeting type: In person
Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Information Session: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Public Hearing: 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Location: Crane Store and Cafe, Gas and RV Camping, 57466 OR-78, Crane, OR 97732
Meeting type: In person
Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Information Session: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Public Hearing: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Hotel Diamond, 49130 Main Street, Diamond, OR 97722
Meeting type: In person
Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Information Session: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Public Hearing: 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Location: Suntex Elementary School, 68178 Silver Creek Road, Riley, OR 97758
Meeting type: In person
Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Information Session: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Public Hearing: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Double O School, 66077 Double O Road, Hines, OR 97738
Meeting type: In person
Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Information Session: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Public Hearing: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Seneca Elementary School, 101 Park Avenue, Seneca, OR 97873
Meeting type: In person
Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2025
Public Hearing: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: Seneca Elementary School, 101 Park Avenue, Seneca, OR 97873
Meeting type: In person
Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2025
Public Hearing: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Harney County Community Center, 478 N. Broadway Avenue, Burns, OR 97720
Meeting type: Hybrid
Virtually (via Zoom): Hearing One Registration Link (Alternatively, please email WRD_DL_rule-coordinator@water.oregon.gov no later than noon (12:00 PM) on August 4, 2025, to receive the conference ID and passcode)
Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2025
Public Hearing: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Harney County Community Center, 478 N. Broadway Avenue, Burns, OR 97720
Meeting type: Hybrid
Virtually (via Zoom): Hearing Two Registration Link (Alternatively, please email WRD_DL_rule-coordinator@water.oregon.gov no later than noon (12:00 PM) on August 4, 2025, to receive the conference ID and passcode)
QUESTIONS: If you have questions, please contact WRD_DL_rule coordinator@water.oregon.gov or 971-718-7087.