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Water Resources Department: Agency Subdivisions
The North Capitol Mall Office Building in Salem houses the central offices of the Water Resources Department. (Oregon State Archives Photo)
Water Resources Commission
Address: 725 Summer St. NE, Suite A, Salem 97301
Phone: 503-986-0900
Contact: Cindy Smith, Commission Assistant
Statutory Authority: ORS 536.022
Duties and Responsibilities: This seven-member citizen board oversees the activities of WRD.
Consistent with state law, the commission sets water policy.
Through WRD, the commission authorizes diversions and appropriations of surface and ground water; issues and records permits, licenses and certificates allowing use of water; establishes instream water rights; and determines critical ground water areas.
Commission members are appointed by the governor for four-year terms, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
Ground Water Advisory Committee
Address: 725 Summer St. NE, Suite A, Salem 97301
Phone: 503-986-0900
Contact: Ivan Gall, Department Liaison;
Rob Turkisher, Chair
Statutory Authority: ORS 536.090
Klamath River Basin Compact
Address: 6600 Washburn Way, Klamath Falls 97603
Phone: 541-880-2576
Contact: Debra Crisp, Chair, Klamath Falls, federal government representative; Phillip C. Ward, Oregon representative; Curtis Anderson, California representative
Statutory Authority: 542.610
Duties and Responsibilities: Members facilitate and promote intergovernmental cooperation to assist in the development and proper use of the water resources of the Klamath River Basin.
Western States Water Council
Address: 5296 S. Commerce Dr., Suite 202, Murray, UT 84107
Phone: 801-685-2555
Web: www.westgov.org/wswc
Contact: Tony Willardson, Executive Director
Duties and Responsibilities: The Western States Water Council was established by the Western
Governors’ Conference to foster cooperation among western states in the management of their water resources. Member states are Alaska,
Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Delegates to the council are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, the governors. Oregon’s delegate is Phillip C. Ward, who also serves as chair of the council.