Title 45, Water Resources: Irrigation, Drainage, Flood Control, Reclamation

The Water Resources Commission, insofar as practicable, shall make available, free or at cost, to the public and to any state agency or public corporation of this or any other state, any interstate agency or any agency of the federal government, information concerning the water r…

The Water Resources Commission, or any member thereof or any other person designated by the commission, may attend and participate in any public conference, meeting or hearing held within or without this state for the purpose of considering water resources problems. [1955 c.707 §…

The Water Resources Commission may accept and expend moneys from any public or private source, including the federal government, made available for the purpose of encouraging, promoting and securing the maximum beneficial use and control of the water resources of this state or to…

(1) In order to facilitate and assist in carrying out its functions as provided by law, the Water Resources Commission may: (a) Call upon state agencies or public corporations of this state to furnish or make available to the commission information concerning the water resources …

All voucher claims for indebtedness or expenses authorized and incurred by the Water Resources Commission in carrying out its functions as provided by law shall be approved by the commission or as provided in ORS 293.330. [1955 c.707 §31]

The Water Resources Commission may deposit with the State Treasurer for safekeeping all moneys and securities which may come into the commission’s possession in connection with the reorganization, retirement or settlement of the bonds, warrants or other evidences of indebtedness …

Nothing in ORS 509.645, 536.220 to 536.540 or 543.225, as enacted by chapter 707, Oregon Laws 1955, nor in the amendments made by chapter 707, Oregon Laws 1955, to ORS 225.290, 225.300, 261.325, 261.330, 509.610, 509.625, 537.170, 537.200 (1969 Replacement Part), 543.050 or 543.2…

Nothing in the amendments made by chapter 707, Oregon Laws 1955, to ORS 182.410, 536.010 (1973 Replacement Part), 542.110, 548.365, 555.030 or 555.070, nor in sections 58 to 65, 70 or 75, chapter 707, Oregon Laws 1955, shall be construed to take away or impair any right to any wa…

In discussions held with the United States Army Corps of Engineers over seasonal operations of impoundments within the Willamette Basin reservoir system, including Detroit Lake, the Water Resources Department shall: (1) Specify that the State of Oregon has determined that Detroit…

(1) Consistent with all other Oregon laws, the Water Resources Department shall collaborate with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and the State of Washington to implement and guide cooperative, bistate water management in the Walla Walla River Basin purs…

As used in ORS 536.700 to 536.780, “drainage basin” means one of the 18 Oregon drainage basins identified by the Water Resources Department as shown on maps published by that department dated January 1976. [1977 c.541 §3]

(1) The Legislative Assembly finds that an emergency may exist when a severe, continuing drought results in a lack of water resources, thereby threatening the availability of essential services and jeopardizing the peace, health, safety and welfare of the people of Oregon. (2) Th…

(1) Because municipal and other political subdivision boundaries do not conform with the geographic boundaries of the 18 major drainage basins, or associated subbasins in the state, and because problems caused by a severe continuing drought may exceed local ability to control, th…

Except as provided in ORS 536.740 and 536.750, nothing in ORS 536.700 to 536.780 is intended to permit the Governor or the Water Resources Commission to hinder the ability of any holder of a vested water right to obtain and use legally assured benefits of that right. [1977 c.541 …

Upon finding that a need exists for statewide coordination of water resource conservation measures by municipal and other political subdivisions of this state in order to minimize problems caused by a severe shortage of water, the Governor may declare that a severe, continuing dr…

(1) Notwithstanding any provision of ORS chapters 536 to 543A, after a declaration that a severe, continuing drought exists, the Water Resources Commission may: (a) Issue without first conducting a hearing under ORS 536.077 and 537.170 a temporary permit for an emergency use of w…

Any action taken under ORS 536.750 may be carried out only during the period of severe, continuing drought. After the drought, any water use undertaken under ORS 536.750 must cease or comply with the applicable provisions of ORS 537.110 to 537.252, 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992 …

(1) The Water Resources Commission or a local government, public corporation or water right holder may purchase an option or enter an agreement to use an existing permit or water right during the time in which a severe, continuing drought is declared to exist. (2) A local governm…

(1) The Water Resources Commission, upon a finding that a severe or continuing drought is likely to occur, may order individual state agencies and political subdivisions within any drainage basin or subbasin to develop and file with the commission, within 30 days following the or…

(1) In addition to any other liability or penalty provided by law, the Water Resources Commission may impose a civil penalty on a person for violation of: (a) A term or condition of a permit, certificate or license issued under ORS chapters 536 to 543A. (b) ORS 537.130 or 537.535…

(1) Any civil penalty under ORS 536.900 shall be imposed as provided in ORS 183.745. (2) Notwithstanding ORS 183.745, the person to whom the notice is addressed shall have 10 days from the date of service of the notice in which to make written application for a hearing before the…

After public hearing, the Water Resources Commission by rule shall adopt a schedule establishing the civil penalty that may be imposed under ORS 536.900 and the time allowed to correct each violation. However, the civil penalty may not exceed $5,000 for each violation. [1989 c.61…

A civil penalty imposed under ORS 536.900 may be remitted or reduced upon such terms and conditions as the Water Resources Commission considers proper and consistent with the public health and safety and protection of the public interest in the waters of this state. [1989 c.618 §…

In imposing a penalty pursuant to the schedule adopted pursuant to ORS 536.910, the Water Resources Commission shall consider the following factors: (1) The past history of the person incurring a penalty in taking all feasible steps or procedures necessary or appropriate to corre…

Any owner or operator who fails without sufficient cause to take corrective action as required by an order of the Water Resources Commission shall be liable for damages not to exceed the amount of all expenses incurred by the Water Resources Department in carrying out the departm…

All penalties recovered under ORS 536.930 shall be paid into the State Treasury and credited to an account of the Water Resources Department. Such moneys are continuously appropriated to the department to carry out the provisions of ORS chapters 536 to 543A. [1989 c.618 §8; 1999 …