Establishment of grant program; direct service cost payment; cost match; limitations; project evaluation

(1) The Water Resources Department shall establish a grant program to pay the qualifying costs of studies performed to evaluate the feasibility of projects related to: (a) Water conservation. (b) Water reuse. (c) Aquifer recharge. (d) Aquifer storage and recovery. (e) Streamflow protection or restoration. (f) Water storage. (g) Other activities identified by rule by the Water Resources Commission. (2) A grant under this section may be made to: (a) A person, as defined in ORS 536.007. (b) A public body, as defined in ORS 174.109. (c) A federally recognized Indian tribe in Oregon that has members residing on a reservation or tribal trust lands in Oregon. (d) A nonprofit organization. (3) In lieu of grants, the department may pay the cost of providing direct services, including but not limited to technical services, for a study that is eligible for a grant under this section. (4) A grant may be provided only if the amount of the grant is matched by an in-kind or cash cost match of not less than 25 percent of the grant amount. The commission may establish a maximum per project amount of grant funding that a project may receive or may increase the cost match for upcoming project cycles based on the availability of funds. (5) Grants and the cost of direct services provided under this section must be paid from moneys available in the Water Project Feasibility Fund. (6) In evaluating above ground storage projects for awards of grants or payments for direct services under this section, the department shall give priority to projects that include provisions for using stored water to augment in-stream flows to conserve, maintain and enhance aquatic life, fish life or other ecological values.