With the passage of new 2021 legislation, ODA now has the legal backing to do a phased rollout of the Agricultural Channel Drainage Maintenance Program. We will be convening a Rule Advisory Committee this fall and completing rulemaking over the next ~6 months. We will inform districts about opportunities to provide feedback.
We have received only one landowner notice to conduct ag channel maintenance so far. We appreciate their participation and support for this brand new program! To be successful, we need more eligible landowner and water district participation.
How can you help?
- Spread the word about the ODA Ag Channel Program. As you encounter landowners or districts engaging in or planning for ag channel maintenance, please let them know that we are here to help them. Share the “Before you file” two-pager and let them know that an Agricultural Drainage Channel Maintenance BMP Manual is available on the ODA Ag Channel Maintenance webpage.
- Invite ODA staff to your landowner education events. We would love to connect with landowners and promote the Ag Channel Program. At the same time, we’d like to recruit landowners in the Willamette Valley vicinity to participate in research being conducted by Oregon State University about the impacts and benefits of ag channel maintenance activities. Please contact Ellen Hammond for more information (Ellen.Hammond@oda.Oregon.gov, 503-931-6689).