- (1) The department shall conduct an evaluation of agricultural operations with large irrigated acreages as described in OAR 603-095-5035(1) to determine whether and to what extent the nitrogen management measures and annual nitrogen plans have been implemented and adaptive management measures adopted.
(a) The department may initiate an evaluation under this section at least one calendar year subsequent to the effective date of these area rules where the total irrigated acres for an agricultural operation is 1,000 or more.
(b) The department may initiate an evaluation under this section for at least two calendar years subsequent to the effective date of these area rules where the total irrigated acres for an agricultural operation is between 500 and 999 acres.
(2) The department’s evaluation shall include an on-farm audit of documents required pursuant to OAR 603-095-5020(3), and OAR 603-095-5040 – 5055 which documents shall remain with the landowner at the agricultural operation.
(a) The department may use the results of any audit to determine the percentage of landowners participating in the program and to determine whether landowners are recording and keeping information as required.
(b) The department may inspect any portion of the agricultural operation and fields as necessary to determine the extent of participation in the program.
(3) The department’s program evaluation may also include the following:
(a) The number of acres within the LUBGWMA included in certified nutrient management plans.
(b) Data collected through the audit process will be aggregated for the entire LUBGWMA and may include the following:
(A) The percentage of acres in each adaptive management category (e.g., green/yellow/orange/red), as defined in Table 1 of OAR 603-095-5055.
(B) The percentage of acres meeting the irrigation water management goal as is consistent with OAR 603-095-5025(1).
Statutory/Other Authority
ORS 561.191 & ORS 568.900-933
Statutes/Other Implemented
ORS 568.900-933 & 468B.025(1)
History
DOA 94-2026, adopt filed 03/13/2026, effective 03/13/2026