1. (1) After the conclusion of the public comment period described in OAR 690-380-4005(1)(b), the Department shall:

   1. (a) Issue a proposed final order indicating whether the application should be approved or denied taking into account comments received in response to the notice provided under OAR 690-380-4005(1)(b) and the considerations described in section (2) of this rule;
   2. (b) Give notice of the transfer application and proposed final order in the manner described in OAR 690-380-4020; and
   3. (c) If applicable, issue draft remaining right certificate(s).

2. (2) The Department's proposed final order shall include an assessment of whether the application is consistent with the following approval criteria:

   1. (a) The water right affected by the proposed transfer is a water use subject to transfer as defined in ORS 540.505(4) and OAR 690-300-0010(59) and, for a right described under 690-300-0010(59)(d), the proof of completion has been approved under OAR 690-380-6040;
   2. (b) The portion of the water right to be transferred is not cancelled pursuant to ORS 540.610;
   3. (c) The right has been used over the past five years according to the terms and conditions of the right and that the right is not subject to forfeiture under ORS 540.610;
   4. (d) The water user is ready, willing and able to use the portion of the right to be transferred;
   5. (e) The proposed transfer would not result in enlargement as defined in OAR 690-380-0100(2);
   6. (f) Except as provided in OAR 690-380-5030, the proposed transfer would not result in injury as defined in OAR 690-380-0100(3); and
   7. (g) Any other requirements for applicable to water right transfers are met.

3. (3) For a proposed final order that indicates that an application should be denied because it is not consistent with the approval criteria outlined in section (2) of this rule, the proposed final order shall:

   1. (a) Describe the basis for the denial; and
   2. (b) Identify any conditions or restrictions that, if included in the transfer, would allow approval of the transfer.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 536.025 & ORS 536.027

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 540.510 - 540.532 & Or Laws 2025, ch 282

History

WRD 3-2026, amend filed 03/20/2026, effective 04/01/2026
WRD 1-2009, f. & cert. ef. 6-18-09
WRD 5-2006, f. & cert. ef. 10-6-06
WRD 8-2004, f. & cert. ef. 11-5-04
WRD 2-2003, f & cert. ef. 5-1-03