2023-64-Resolution No. 2023-012 Recorded 2/27/2023Recorded in Deschutes County CJ2023-f 4
Steve Dennison, County Clerk
Commissioners' Journal 02/27/2023 9:40:34 AM
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REVIEWED 2023-64
LEGAL COUNSEL
For Recording Stamp Only
BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON
A Resolution Declaring a Countywide State of
Emergency and Requesting State Declaration of * RESOLUTION NO. 2023-012
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 enviromnent; 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 overall precipitation for the water year is currently at 80%
which is the 6`1 straight year of below average precipitation. The latest drought monitor shows most of
Deschutes County is currently under drought conditions with a signification portion under severe or
extreme drought; and
WHEREAS, Wickiup Reservoir is at 106,497 acre feet on February 131" which is just over
half its capacity and is expected to peak around April 1" at near record low levels; and
WHEREAS, Crescent Lake is at 9% capacity; and
WHEREAS, it is unlikely we will receive adequate precipitation in the coming months to
prevent the persistence of drought conditions; 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 severely impacted
by being significantly reduced or severely curtailed due to diminished supplies; and
WHEREAS, these low flows will result in widespread impact and damage to livestock,
natural resources, recreation, tourism and the economy; and
Page 1 of 2 — RESOLUTION NO. 2023-012
WHEREAS, Deschutes County encourages water users to voluntarily share water with water
users in Jefferson County,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OFCOUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
DESCHUTES 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 Tina Kotek, Governor of Oregon, declare a Drought
Emergency for all of Deschutes County under the provisions of ORS Chapters 401 and 536 due to
severe and continuing drought conditions beginning at this time and continuing to December 31, 2023;
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 14, , 2023
ATTEST:
Recording Secretary
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON
THONY DeBONE, Chair
r
PA TI ADAIR, Vice Chair
PHIL CHANG, Commissioner
Page 2 of 2 — RESOLUTION NO. 2023-012
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COMMISSIONERS
MEETING DATE: February 22, 2023
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2023-012, declaring a countywide State of Emergency and
requesting a State Declaration of Drought Emergency within all of Deschutes
County
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move approval of Resolution No. 2023-012, declaring a countywide State of Emergency and
requesting a State Declaration of Drought Emergency within all of Deschutes County.
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
Continuing weather conditions within Deschutes County are not likely to resolve drought
conditions and may cause widespread and severe damage to livestock, wildlife, natural
resources, recreation, tourism and related economies, potentially endangering crops and
livestock as well as the health and safety of residents and visitors. Drought conditions can
also imperil the quality of the environment.
The overall precipitation for the water year is currently at 80% which is the 6th straight year
of below average precipitation. The latest drought monitor shows most of Deschutes
County is currently under drought conditions with a signification portion under severe or
extreme drought. Specifically, the Wickiup Reservoir was at 106,497 acre feet on February
13th which is just over half its capacity and is expected to peak around April 1 st at near
record low levels, and Crescent Lake is at 9% capacity. It is not expected that adequate
precipitation will fall in the coming months to prevent the persistence of drought
conditions.
Additionally, 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
severely impacted by being significantly reduced or severely curtailed due to diminished
supplies.
Resolution 2023-012, if adopted, would immediately declare a State of Emergency to exist,
and would request that the Governor declare a Drought Emergency for all of Deschutes
County continuing to December 31, 2023 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.
BUDGET IMPACTS:
To be determined according to the level of emergency response needed.
ATTENDANCE:
Sergeant Nathan Garibay, DCSO