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Well Construction Rulemaking

In July 2023, the Oregon Water Resources Commission adopted rule changes to Divisions 200, 205, 210, 215, 220, 225, 240, and 260, modernizing the Department’s well construction program.  

Specifically, the rulemaking implements:

  • House Bill 2145 (2021) relating to exempt use map and recording fee, civil penalties, well driller licensing, and well report and start card data and reporting requirements. The proposed amendments to the rules require the well driller or landowner with a landowner permit and bond to submit the exempt use map and recording fee at the time of the well report submittal. The proposed amendments to the rules also update the civil penalty provisions of Divisions 225 and 260 for late or missing exempt use map and recording fees. In addition, well driller licensing rules will be modified to add a requirement for evidence of welding proficiency, and well report and start card data and reporting requirements will be modified to include additional data and reporting elements to be submitted by drillers.

  • House Bill 3030 (2019) and Senate Bill 688 (2019) relating to temporary license authorizations for Armed Forces Spouses.

  • House Bill 4061 (2022), extending the time period for OWRD to issue a Notice of Violation after becoming aware of a violation from five days to ten business days.
The rulemaking also restored an erroneously repealed section (OAR 690-215-0200) relating to dedicated measuring tubes.



​Current OWRD Rules

Current OWRD Statutes

House Bill 2145 (2021) as codified in Oregon Laws, Chapter 610 (2021)
House Bill 3030 (2019) as codified in Oregon Laws, Chapter 142 (2019)​
Senate Bill 688 (2019) as codified in Oregon Laws, Chapter 626 (2019)​
​House Bill 4061 (2022) as codified in Oregon Laws, Chapter 52 (2022)​​​

Well Construction Rulemaking FAQs
HB 2145 Effective Dates​

Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) Member Roster​​​​


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​ ​​​Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (including Statement of N​​eed & Fiscal Impact)  ​

Hybrid Public Hearing: Thursday, April 27, 2023, 3–5 pm 

In-Person
North Mall Office Building, Room 124  
725 Summer St. N.E. 
Salem, OR 97301 

Zoom Registration link

To join by phone: 253-215-8782 ​
Meeting ID: 98720578967
Passcode: 679003 

The public comment period is now closed.​​​

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