WaterWatch of Oregon, Inc. v. Water Resources Commission

This case centers on the statutes governing the water appropriation permit process. Coos Bay-North Bend Water Board (CBNB) applied to the Water Resources Department (the department) for a permit to appropriate water from a creek. The department issued a proposed final order approving the permit application. WaterWatch and others opposed the issuance of the permit asserting that it was not in the public interest. The department held a contested case proceeding. Thereafter the Water Resources Commission considered the matter and approved the permit. WaterWatch sought judicial review arguing…