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<br />Responding to a question from Mr. Brown, Ms. Wilson said the State had denied cities water rights in the <br />past. It was becoming more difficult for municipalities to perfect their water right permits. The courts <br />ruled that perfection must occur on a faster time table because of the many entities waiting for water. It <br />was highly unlikely that EWEB would be able to get back in the queue and apply for the same amount <br />without any restrictions was highly unlikely. Portland was buying water from other entities because it <br />was unable to secure additional water rights. Other municipalities had lost their rights because of failure <br />to perfect their rights. She did not envision that the State would allow exemption after exemption if a <br />community made no attempts to perfect its rights. Water was held in trust for the people of Oregon by the <br />State and hoarding was not allowed. Mr. Brown asked about the potential of negotiating with the State to <br />reduce the third right to a more realistic level. If the community gave up too much and found it needed <br />the water in 100 years, he doubted the State would deny Eugene the water. Ms. Wilson said the law of <br />prior appropriation would not allow that. <br /> <br />Mayor Piercy adjourned the work session at 7:23 p.m. <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted, <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Beth Forrest <br />City Recorder <br /> <br />(Recorded by Kimberly Young) <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />MINUTES—Eugene City Council January 11, 2010 Page 8 <br /> Work Session <br />