2021-215-Resolution No. 2021-036 Recorded 5/28/2021REVIEWED
ITV
LEGA COUNSEL
Recorded in Deschutes County CJ2021-215
Nancy Blankenship, County Clerk
Commissioners' Journal 05/28/2021 3:40:28 PM
4i\3"Y C C C,0(I
' 2021-215
BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DESCIIUTES COUNTY, OREGON
A Resolution Declaring a Countywide State of
Emergency and Requesting State Declaration of RESOLUTION NO. 2021-036
Drought Emergency within all of Deschutes
County
WHEREAS, ORS 401.309 and the Deschutes County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
authorize the county governing body to declare a state of emergency within the county or within a
designated portion of the county; and
WHEREAS, drought conditions endanger crops and livestock, endanger the health and safety of
the county's population, jeopardize economic vitality within the county, and imperil the quality of the
environment; and
WHEREAS, the Deschutes Basin Board of Control has informed Deschutes County that
continuing extreme weather conditions within the county are likely to cause widespread and severe
damage to livestock, wildlife, natural resources, recreation, tourism and related economies; and
WHEREAS, the Deschutes Basin snowpack, which feeds all water sources within the county is at
38% of average and the latest drought monitor shows most of Deschutes County is currently under extreme
or exceptional drought; and
WHEREAS, Wickiup Reservoir peaked on April 1st at 115,800 acre feet, the lowest peak of the
reservoir since it was built; and
WHEREAS, Crescent Lake is at 28% capacity and will like be drained for the first time in 30 years;
and
WHEREAS, it is expected Wickiup Reservoir and Crescent Lake Reservoir will be drained by
August, which is the first time both reservoirs have been drained at the same time since they were
constructed; and
WHEREAS, the low water levels at Wickiup Reservoir will cause impacts to fishing and recreating;
and
WHEREAS, the Deschutes River is experiencing extremely low natural flow levels such that all
irrigation districts dependent upon water flows from the Deschutes River will be impacted; and
WHEREAS, Deschutes County encourages smart water management, flexibility and innovation
relative to water usage, and equitable water sharing plans throughout the central Oregon region, and
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-036 Page 1 of 2
WHEREAS, the extended weather forecast for Central Oregon projects higher than normal
temperatures and below average precipitation, now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DESCI-IUTES
COUNTY, OREGON, as follows:
Section 1. Pursuant to ORS 401.309, the Deschutes County EOP, and information provided to
Deschutes County by the Deschutes Basin Board of Control, a State of Emergency is presently declared
within Deschutes County.
Section 2. Pursuant to ORS 401.032(2), the governing body for Deschutes County finds that the
appropriate response is beyond the capability of Deschutes County.
Section 3. The governing body for Deschutes County respectfully submits the Request contained
immediately below in Section 4.
Section 4. Request: The Honorable Kate Brown, Governor of Oregon, declare a Drought
Emergency for all of Deschutes County under the provisions of ORS 401.165 and ORS Chp. 536 due to
severe and continuing drought conditions beginning at this time and continuing to October 3 1, 2021 ;
and direct the Oregon Department of Water Resources and other Oregon executive branch agencies to
make available for all purveyors of water within Deschutes County Temporary Transfers of Water
Rights, Emergency Water Use Permits, and Use of Existing Right Option/Agreement; and other federal
and state drought assistance and programs as needed.
Section 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its adoption.
Dated this of 2021
ATTEST:
Recording Secretary
BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
OF DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON
ANTHONY DeBONE, Chair
P L CHANG, Vice Chair
PATTI ADAIR, Commissioner
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-036 Page 2 of 2