Oregon Fish Screening Cost-Share Program

ODFW shares the cost of installing fish screens, by-pass devices and fishways on water diversions so irrigators and other water users can keep taking their water without pulling fish into ditches and fields. Individual water users, irrigation districts, SWCDs, watershed councils and others can apply by contacting their regional screens coordinator. ODFW also gives technical and design help, and handles major maintenance on cost-shared screens at diversions under 30 cfs. The Fish Passage Program also "has limited funds for fish passage projects" through the same regional coordinators.

• "Water users may include: individual users, irrigation districts, state agencies, municipal suppliers, commercial industries, watershed councils, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and others."

• Ineligible: "Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) projects operated solely for hydropower generation, projects associated with a water right issued since January 1. 1996, and projects with a Federal agency listed as the applicant."

ORS 498.306(4): ODFW-installed screen -> user fee of no more than 40% of construction and installation cost; user-installed screen -> reimbursement of no more than 60% of actual cost. "Under statute (ORS 498.306) ODFW is responsible for major maintenance and repair of screen devices operating at sites diverting less than 30 cfs." Water users can combine this with the 50% state tax credit (ORS 315.138).

Published amounts: Page gives no rate. Statute ORS 498.306(4): if ODFW builds the screen, the water user's fee "does not exceed 40 percent of the construction and installation costs of the device"; if the water user builds it, "the person shall be reimbursed from the Fish Screening Subaccount or other state funds in an amount that does not exceed 60 percent of the actual construction and installation costs of the device."

"Water users interested in more information on the cost-share program or in applying for cost share assistance are encouraged to contact the regional screens coordinator for their area."

Deadline text on the page: No application deadline published; contact the regional screens coordinator.