OWRD May Need Additional Funds For Litigation

Oregon's water regulators are rapidly spending the $835,000 they have available for litigation and may go nearly $1.3 million over budget in the 2017-2019 biennium.

The Capital Press reported that a request for more litigation funds was recently turned down by Oregon lawmakers, which means the state Water Resources Department will probably ask the Legislature's Emergency Board for money later this year.  If OWRD can't get additional litigation funds, the agency will have to delay replacing employees who have left, though it has yet to determine how many positions would remain unfilled.  About $600,000 was spent on litigation within the first seven months of the biennium, which was roughly two-thirds of the money allocated for two full years of legal battles.

About $600,000 was spent on litigation within the first seven months of the biennium, which was roughly two-thirds of the money allocated for two full years of legal battles, Rancier said March 15 during a meeting of the Oregon Water Resources Commission, which oversees the agency.  At the current rate, OWRD is projected to spend about $2.1 million on litigation in the current biennium.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com