72nd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2003 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 2087
 
                         House Bill 2515
 
Sponsored by Representative KRUSE
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Directs Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board to provide funding
from Watershed Improvement Operating Fund for positions in soil
and water conservation districts. Specifies that persons employed
in positions funded by board perform functions relating to
restoration and protection of native salmonid populations,
watersheds, fish and wildlife habitats and water quality.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to soil and water conservation districts; creating new
  provisions; and amending ORS 541.379.
  Whereas the Legislative Assembly finds that soil and water
conservation districts should be used to the fullest extent
possible in the restoration and protection of native salmonid
populations, watersheds, fish and wildlife habitat and water
quality; and
  Whereas the Legislative Assembly finds that soil and water
conservation districts are ideally suited to coordinate the
efforts of state and federal incentive programs at the county
level relating to water quality and conservation; and
  Whereas soil and water conservation districts must be funded
adequately to allow the districts to provide educational programs
for landowners, to assist landowners in coordinating grant and
incentive programs and to provide information to state and
federal agencies on priorities for water quality and conservation
projects, including recommendations on funding those projects;
and
  Whereas the Legislative Assembly declares that state agencies
must seek to coordinate their efforts through soil and water
conservation districts so that landowners in the districts become
more fully aware of the requirements of federal and state water
quality and conservation programs; and
  Whereas state agencies should seek voluntary action by
landowners, with the assistance of soil and water conservation
districts, to implement changes that are needed to restore and
protect native salmonid populations, watersheds, fish and
wildlife habitats and water quality; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + Section 2 of this 2003 Act is added to and made
a part of ORS 541.351 to 541.415. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + (1) The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
shall provide funding from the Watershed Improvement Operating
Fund for positions in soil and water conservation districts
formed under ORS 568.210 to 568.808. Persons employed in
positions funded under this section shall:
  (a) Assist in the implementation and monitoring of the Oregon
Plan as it relates to the restoration and protection of native
salmonid populations, watersheds, fish and wildlife habitats and
water quality;
  (b) Assist in the implementation and monitoring of the
provisions of ORS 568.900 to 568.933;
  (c) Conduct an educational outreach program for landowners on
the duties of landowners under the Oregon Plan and ORS 568.900 to
568.933;
  (d) Provide assistance to landowners in coordinating grant and
incentive programs to maximize improvements in the restoration
and protection of native salmonid populations, watersheds, fish
and wildlife habitats and water quality;
  (e) Provide information to state and federal agencies for the
purpose of establishing priorities for proposed water quality and
conservation projects and appropriate funding levels for those
projects; and
  (f) Act as a liaison between the districts and the state and
federal agencies that are implementing water quality and
conservation projects.
  (2) The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board shall fund at least
one position in each county under the provisions of this
section. + }
  SECTION 3. ORS 541.379 is amended to read:
  541.379. (1) The Watershed Improvement Operating Fund is
established in the State Treasury separate and distinct from the
General Fund. The Watershed Improvement Operating Fund shall
consist of all moneys placed in the fund as provided by law. All
moneys in the Watershed Improvement Operating Fund are
continuously appropriated for the following purposes:
  (a) Operational activities of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement
Board;
  (b) Activities of state and local agencies and other public
entities related to the restoration and protection of native
salmonid populations, watersheds, fish and wildlife habitats and
water quality, including but not limited to activities under the
Oregon Plan;
   { +  (c) Funding of positions in soil and water conservation
districts under the provisions of section 2 of this 2003 Act; + }
    { - (c) - }   { + (d) + } Watershed improvement grants
described in ORS 541.399 and 541.401 that are not capital
expenditures; and
    { - (d) - }   { + (e) + } Watershed improvement grants
described in ORS 541.399 and 541.401 that are capital
expenditures.
  (2) Interest accruing to the Watershed Improvement Operating
Fund shall be credited to the Restoration and Protection Research
Fund created under ORS 541.378. Funds appropriated and not
expended by the completion of a biennium shall remain in the
Watershed Improvement Operating Fund.
  (3) The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board created under ORS
541.360 shall administer the Watershed Improvement Operating
Fund.
  (4) In addition to the funds made available for the purposes of
ORS 541.351 to 541.415 under ORS 541.399, the board also may
accept gifts and grants from any public or private source for the
purposes described in subsection (1) of this section.
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