1. (1) The Commission shall select projects for funding which have the greatest public benefit and will achieve the outcomes listed in subsection (3) of this section.

2. (2) Project evaluation shall include:

   1. (a) The public benefit in three categories:

      1. (A) Economic;
      2. (B) Environmental; and
      3. (C) Social or cultural.
   2. (b) Equal importance of each of the three categories of public benefit; and
   3. (c) Consideration of both positive and negative effects of the projects.

3. (3) The Commission will consider the following in its determination of eligible projects that will receive funding:

   1. (a) The issuance of grants or loans only to projects that provide benefits in each of the three categories of public benefit described in (2)(a) of this section;
   2. (b) Preference for partnerships and collaborative projects;
   3. (c) The funding of projects of diverse sizes, types and geographic locations;
   4. (d) If a project proposes to divert water, preference for projects that provide a measurable improvement in protected streamflows; and
   5. (e) If a project proposes to increase efficiency, preference for projects that provide a measurable increased efficiency of water use.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 541.651 - 541.696

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 541.651 - 541.696

History

WRD 6-2015, f. & cert. ef. 7-2-15