Water from Bridge Creek has been diverted into the Painted Hills Reservoir and used to irrigate crops at its namesake Bridge Creek Ranch near Mitchell, Ore. A proposed transfer of the reservoir’s point of diversion has ignited a legal battle with major implications for Oregon water law.

SALEM — The Oregon Water Resources Department is updating the rules for new groundwater right applications and is seeking public comment. OWRD will host in-person public hearings and a virtual hearing to allow for the public to provide input.

Current groundwater right permitting rules allow for aquifers to decline beyond what nature can replace and do not consider cumulative impacts on surface water, officials said. Addressing the long-term impacts of groundwater use requires updating the rules for reviewing new water right applications, according to OWRD. These new rules will only apply to new water right applications and not to existing or permit-exempt water users, officials said.

OWRD will be hosting informational sessions before each public hearing where staff will review the proposed rules. Public comments will not be accepted at the information sessions but will be accepted at the public hearings following each session.

For more context, visit https://tinyurl.com/c4zysx9w.

The public is encouraged to attend the informational sessions and provide comments about the rule-making, either verbally at the scheduled public hearings or via written comment by 5 p.m. on May 31.

Written comments can be submitted by email to WRD_DL_rule-coordinator@water.oregon.gov or by postal mail to Laura Hartt, Rulemaking Coordinator, Oregon Water Resources Department, 725 Summer St. NE, Suite A, Salem, OR 97301-1271.

Upcoming information sections and public hearings include:

• Central Oregon

Date: Thursday, April 4

Information Session: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Public Hearing: 7-9 p.m.

Location: Deschutes Services Building, 1300 NW Wall Street, Bend.

• Eastern Oregon

Date: Thursday, April 18

Information Session: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Public Hearing: 7-9 p.m.

Location: Eastern Oregon University, Hoke Student Union Building, Room 339, 1 University Blvd., La Grande.

• Virtual

Date: Tuesday, May 21

Information Session: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Zoom Link: https://tinyurl.com/28yrawe7

Public Hearing: 7-9 p.m.

Zoom Linl: https://tinyurl.com/3vxcux44

If you have questions or need to request accommodations in advance of one of the scheduled meetings, email WRD_DL_rule-coordinator@water.oregon.gov or call 971-720-0963.

The Oregon Water Resources Department is the state agency charged with studying, allocating, and distributing water in Oregon. For more information, visit www.oregon.gov/owrd.