What is the law of water resources?

The law of water resources in Oregon is comprised of laws, regulations, and court decisions which govern how water is used and managed in the state. This includes the use of rivers, streams, lakes, underground aquifers, and other sources of water for a variety of activities, from drinking water to agricultural irrigation. The law of water resources in Oregon also includes the structure of water agencies and laws that determine who has the right to use the water for what purpose. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the state agency that administers the Oregon Water Resources Act, which outlines the general rules for water use in the state, such as the size and type of water sources available for use. In addition, the Oregon Water Resources Department (WRD) is responsible for permitting and regulating water use, including approving the construction of dams, reservoirs, and canals used to direct water. The WRD also oversees enforcement of the Oregon Water Rights Law, which sets out the various types of water rights that can be granted, such as riparian, pre-appropriative, and instream flow rights. Finally, Oregon also has a system of water rights adjudication, where disputes over water use are heard and decided by a court. This helps ensure that the state’s water resources are properly managed and that each person or entity is given fair access to the water they need.

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