OAR 695-046-0196. Evaluation Criteria

Water acquisition grant applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the application describes: (1) The significance of the projected ecological outcomes, including how the proposed Water Acquisition Project: (a) Achieves or helps to achieve any state, federally, or Tribally supported flow target. (b) Addresses limiting factors identified in professionally accepted conservation plans for habitat conservation needs or water quality; (c) Provides benefits to impacted species and life stages; (d) Monitors and tracks project impacts over time, as appropriate for the transaction type and duration; and (e) Monitors project compliance and project outcomes, as appropriate for the transaction type and duration. (2) How the water right's ownership, demonstration and quantification of use, validity, reliability, protectability, and seniority will result in instream flow improvements. If the project is utilizing the Oregon Water Resources Department’s Allocation of Conserved Water program the priority date of the conserved instream water right shall be the same as the original right. (3) The alignment of proposed costs with the work necessary to accomplish the objectives described in the application, including: (a) How the proposed cost of the Legally or Contractually Protected Instream Flow is consistent with local or regional market conditions; (b) How the term of the proposed Water Acquisition Project is appropriate to meet the habitat, species, or water quality needs; and (c) If the project is utilizing the Oregon Water Resources Department’s Allocation of Conserved Water program, or other Department-administered instream flow water conservation program, the project cost relative to the amount of water that will be protected instream, with a preference for projects with a higher percentage of water transferred instream than what is required by the Allocation of Conserved Water program. (4) How the proposed activities are part of a strategic effort or long-term vision for restoring instream flows in the watershed, including how the proposed Water Acquisition Project: (a) Complements other habitat conservation actions and needs; (b) Will lead to future expansion of instream flow restoration; and (c) Building on OAR 695-046-0196(1), addresses Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, or other federal or Tribal fish and wildlife agency priorities for aquatic habitat or Oregon Department of Environmental Quality water quality management or implementation plans, if established. (5) The capacity and qualifications of the applicant, including staff or consultants to be retained, to accomplish the proposed Water Acquisition Project activities described in the application and to sustain the projected ecological outcomes over the project term.