S.Amdt. 6431

SA 6431, submitted by Mr. Merkley and Mr. Wyden, aims to change the Oregon Resource Conservation Act of 1996 by adding a section for the Reauthorization of Deschutes River Conservancy Working Group.

The amendment proposes the following changes:

• It updates the definition of the Working Group to be a board of directors with at least 10 but no more than 15 members. These members are nominated by their represented groups, including:

  • 2 representatives from the environmental community in the Deschutes River Basin.
  • 2 representatives from the irrigated agriculture community in the Deschutes River Basin.
  • 2 representatives of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon.
  • 1 representative from the hydroelectric production community in the Deschutes River Basin.
  • 1 representative from a Federal agency with authority and responsibility in the Deschutes River Basin.
  • 1 representative from a State of Oregon agency with authority and responsibility in the Deschutes River Basin, such as the Oregon Water Resources Department or the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
  • 1 representative from a unit of local government in the Deschutes River Basin.

• It extends the dates in Section 301 of the act by replacing 2016 with 2032.

• It increases the percentage in subsection (b), paragraph (6) from 5 percent to 10 percent.