For the purposes of Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 690, Division 601:

1. (1) “Disproportionately Impacted Communities” means communities that face barriers to meaningful involvement in public processes. This may include:
   (a) Rural communities;
   (b) Communities of color;
   (c) Tribal communities;
   (d) Coastal communities;
   (e) Areas with above-average concentrations of:
   (A) historically disadvantaged households,
   (B) residents with low levels of educational attainment,
   (C) high unemployment,
   (D) high linguistic isolation,
   (E) low levels of homeownership or high rent burden,
   (F) sensitive populations.
2. (2) “Meaningful Involvement” means the availability of opportunities to participate in and impact the outcomes of water projects that will likely affect their communities’ environment, economy, or health.
3. (3) “Community Engagement Plan Grantee” means eligible local governments or local organizations that receive funding for a Community Engagement Plan for water projects that are eligible to be supported by grants or loans pursuant to ORS 541.561-541.581 or ORS 541.651 - 541.696.
4. (4) “Community Engagement Plan Applicant” means eligible local governments or local organizations that apply to receive grants or loans from ORS 541.561-541.581 or ORS 541.651 - 541.696 for a Community Engagement Plan for water projects that are eligible to be supported by ORS 541.561-541.581 or ORS 541.651 - 541.696.
5. (5) "Department" means the Oregon Water Resources Department.
6. (6) “Community Engagement Plan” means a plan to meaningfully engage and provide suitable access to decision-making processes for disproportionately impacted communities, underrepresented communities, tribal communities and all persons regardless of race, color, national origin or income in planning for water projects using identified best practices.
7. (7) “Water Project” mean projects eligible for funding by grants or loans through ORS 541.561-541.581 or ORS 541.651 - 541.696.
8. (8) “Best Practices” include goals, approaches, and strategies used in the development and implementation of a community engagement plan to increase meaningful involvement of disproportionately impacted communities in decisions related to the identification, scoping, design, or implementation of a water project.
9. (9) “Local Government” has the meaning given to that term in ORS 174.116.
10. (10) “Local Organization” means a special government body as defined in ORS 174.117, a federally recognized Indian tribe, a nonprofit organization, or other organization identified who operates in an area affected by a water project and is eligible to receive grants or loans pursuant to ORS 541.561-541.581 or ORS 541.651 - 541.696.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 536.027, ORS 541.551, ORS 541.651 - 541.696, ORS 541.561-541.581 & ORS 174.116

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 541.551, ORS 541.651 - 541.696, ORS 541.561-541.581 & ORS 174.116

History

WRD 4-2025, renumbered from 690-601-0002, filed 04/01/2025, effective 04/01/2025
WRD 2-2025, adopt filed 03/28/2025, effective 04/01/2025