Bill > HB3128

This bill modifies Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 537.141 to explicitly add storage of surface water for fire response preparedness to the list of water uses that do not require a water right application, permit, or certificate. Specifically, the bill allows individuals to store up to one acre-foot of surface water per reservoir or tank without needing to obtain formal water rights, as long as the storage is intended for fire response preparedness. An acre-foot is a standard water measurement equivalent to the amount of water that would cover one acre of land to a depth of one foot. The bill aims to streamline water storage for emergency fire preparation by removing bureaucratic barriers that might otherwise require landowners to go through a complex permitting process. This change could be particularly beneficial in rural or fire-prone areas of Oregon, where quick access to water for fire suppression can be critical for protecting property and lives. The provision is part of a broader set of exemptions in the law that recognize certain water uses as essential and not requiring standard water rights documentation.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HB3128