2021 Oregon Revised Statutes
Chapter 196 - State Waters and Ocean Resources; Wetlands; Removal and Fill
Section 196.800 - Definitions for ORS 196.600 to 196.921.


(1) "Channel relocation" means a change in location of a channel in which a new channel is dug and the flow is diverted from the old channel into the new channel if more than 50 cubic yards of material is removed in constructing the new channel or if it would require more than 50 cubic yards of material to completely fill the old channel.
(2) "Estuary" means:
(a) For waters other than the Columbia River, the body of water from the ocean to the head of tidewater that is partially enclosed by land and within which salt water is usually diluted by fresh water from the land, including all associated estuarine waters, tidelands, tidal marshes and submerged lands; and
(b) For the Columbia River, all waters from the mouth of the river up to the western edge of Puget Island, including all associated estuarine waters, tidelands, tidal marshes and submerged lands.
(3) "Fill" means the total of deposits by artificial means equal to or exceeding 50 cubic yards or more of material at one location in any waters of this state.
(4) "General authorization" means an authorization granted under ORS 196.850 for a category of activities involving removal or fill, or both, without a permit.
(5) "General permit" means a permit for removal activities or fill activities that are substantially similar in nature, are recurring or ongoing, and have predictable effects and outcomes.
(6) "Intermittent stream" means any stream which flows during a portion of every year and which provides spawning, rearing or food-producing areas for food and game fish.
(7) "Large woody debris" means any naturally downed wood that captures gravel, provides stream stability or provides fish habitat, or any wood placed into waters of this state as part of a habitat improvement or conservation project.
(8) "Material" means rock, gravel, sand, silt and other inorganic substances, and large woody debris, removed from waters of this state and any materials, organic or inorganic, used to fill waters of this state.
(9) "Mitigation" means the reduction of adverse effects of a proposed project by considering, in the following order:
(a) Avoiding the effect altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action;
(b) Minimizing the effect by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation;
(c) Rectifying the effect by repairing, rehabilitating or restoring the affected environment;
(d) Reducing or eliminating the effect over time by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action by monitoring and taking appropriate corrective measures; and
(e) Compensating for the effect by creating, restoring, enhancing or preserving substitute functions and values for the waters of this state.
(10) "Person" means a person, a public body as defined in ORS 174.109, the federal government, when operating in any capacity other than navigational servitude, or any other legal entity.
(11) "Practicable" means capable of being accomplished after taking into consideration the cost, existing technology and logistics with respect to the overall project purpose.
(12) "Public use" means a publicly owned project or a privately owned project that is available for use by the public.
(13) "Removal" means:
(a) The taking of more than 50 cubic yards or the equivalent weight in tons of material in any waters of this state in any calendar year; or
(b) The movement by artificial means of an equivalent amount of material on or within the bed of such waters, including channel relocation.
(14) "Water resources" includes not only water itself but also aquatic life and habitats therein and all other natural resources in and under the waters of this state.
(15) "Waters of this state" means all natural waterways, tidal and nontidal bays, intermittent streams, constantly flowing streams, lakes, wetlands, that portion of the Pacific Ocean that is in the boundaries of this state, all other navigable and nonnavigable bodies of water in this state and those portions of the ocean shore, as defined in ORS 390.605, where removal or fill activities are regulated under a state-assumed permit program as provided in 33 U.S.C. 1344(g) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended.
(16) "Wetland conservation plan" means a written plan providing for wetland management containing a detailed and comprehensive statement of policies, standards and criteria to guide public and private uses and protection of wetlands, waters and related adjacent uplands and which has specific implementing measures and which apply to designated geographic areas of the State of Oregon.
(17) "Wetlands" means those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. [Formerly 541.605 and then 196.670; 1999 c.373 §1; 2003 c.253 §7; 2003 c.738 §14; 2007 c.849 §2; 2009 c.343 §18; 2013 c.198 §1]
Note: Operation of the amendments to 196.800 by section 1, chapter 516, Oregon Laws 2001, is dependent upon further approval by the Legislative Assembly. See section 11, chapter 516, Oregon Laws 2001, as amended by section 19, chapter 11, Oregon Laws 2009. The text that is operative after that approval, including amendments by section 8, chapter 253, Oregon Laws 2003, section 15, chapter 738, Oregon Laws 2003, section 3, chapter 849, Oregon Laws 2007, section 19, chapter 343, Oregon Laws 2009, and section 2, chapter 198, Oregon Laws 2013, is set forth for the user’s convenience. As used in ORS 196.600 to 196.921, unless the context requires otherwise:
(1) "Channel relocation" means a change in location of a channel in which a new channel is dug and the flow is diverted from the old channel into the new channel.
(2) "Estuary" means:
(a) For waters other than the Columbia River, the body of water from the ocean to the head of tidewater that is partially enclosed by land and within which salt water is usually diluted by fresh water from the land, including all associated estuarine waters, tidelands, tidal marshes and submerged lands; and
(b) For the Columbia River, all waters from the mouth of the river up to the western edge of Puget Island, including all associated estuarine waters, tidelands, tidal marshes and submerged lands.
(3) "Fill" means the deposit by artificial means of material at one location in any waters of this state.
(4) "General authorization" means an authorization granted under ORS 196.850 for a category of activities involving removal or fill, or both, without a permit.
(5) "General permit" means a permit for removal activities or fill activities that are substantially similar in nature, are recurring or ongoing, and have predictable effects and outcomes.
(6) "Intermittent stream" means any stream which flows during a portion of every year and which provides spawning, rearing or food-producing areas for food and game fish.
(7) "Large woody debris" means any naturally downed wood that captures gravel, provides stream stability or provides fish habitat, or any wood placed into waters of this state as part of a habitat improvement or conservation project.
(8) "Material" means rock, gravel, sand, silt and other inorganic substances, and large woody debris, removed from waters of this state and any materials, organic or inorganic, used to fill waters of this state.
(9) "Mitigation" means the reduction of adverse effects of a proposed project by considering, in the following order:
(a) Avoiding the effect altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action;
(b) Minimizing the effect by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation;
(c) Rectifying the effect by repairing, rehabilitating or restoring the affected environment;
(d) Reducing or eliminating the effect over time by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action by monitoring and taking appropriate corrective measures; and
(e) Compensating for the effect by creating, restoring, enhancing or preserving substitute functions and values for the waters of this state.
(10) "Person" means a person, a public body, as defined in ORS 174.109, the federal government, when operating in any capacity other than navigational servitude, or any other legal entity.
(11) "Practicable" means capable of being accomplished after taking into consideration the cost, existing technology and logistics with respect to the overall project purpose.
(12) "Public use" means a publicly owned project or a privately owned project that is available for use by the public.
(13) "Removal" means:
(a) The taking of material in any waters of this state; or
(b) The movement by artificial means of material within the bed of such waters, including channel relocation.
(14) "Water resources" includes not only water itself but also aquatic life and habitats therein and all other natural resources in and under the waters of this state.
(15) "Waters of this state" means all natural waterways, tidal and nontidal bays, intermittent streams, constantly flowing streams, lakes, wetlands, that portion of the Pacific Ocean that is in the boundaries of this state, all other navigable and nonnavigable bodies of water in this state and those portions of the ocean shore, as defined in ORS 390.605, where removal or fill activities are regulated under a state-assumed permit program as provided in 33 U.S.C. 1344(g) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended.
(16) "Wetland conservation plan" means a written plan providing for wetland management containing a detailed and comprehensive statement of policies, standards and criteria to guide public and private uses and protection of wetlands, waters and related adjacent uplands and which has specific implementing measures and which apply to designated geographic areas of the State of Oregon.
(17) "Wetlands" means those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.
Note: Sections 11 to 14, chapter 516, Oregon Laws 2001, provide:
Sec. 11. The amendments to ORS 196.800, 196.810, 196.850, 196.895, 196.905 [renumbered 196.921], 196.990, 390.835, 421.628 and 459.047 by sections 1 to 10, chapter 516, Oregon Laws 2001, and the repeal of section 2, chapter 45, Oregon Laws 1989, by section 13, chapter 516, Oregon Laws 2001, become operative on January 2 of the even-numbered year following the date the United States Environmental Protection Agency grants authority by letter to the Department of State Lands to administer permits for the discharge of dredge or fill materials under section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (P.L. 92-500, as amended) and the Legislative Assembly approves the grant of authority. [2001 c.516 §11; 2009 c.11 §19]
Sec. 12. (1) The Department of State Lands may take any action necessary to prepare to fully implement the provisions of this 2001 Act prior to the operative date of this 2001 Act.
(2) The department shall periodically report to the appropriate committee of the Legislative Assembly on the status of its effort to assume authority to administer permits for the discharge of dredge or fill materials under section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (P.L. 92-500, as amended).
(3) After the Legislative Assembly approves the grant of authority, the department shall notify the Legislative Assembly prior to the transfer of authority from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. [2001 c.516 §12]
Sec. 13. Section 2, chapter 45, Oregon Laws 1989, is repealed. [2001 c.516 §13]
Sec. 14. If, after assuming authority to administer permits for the discharge of dredge or fill materials under section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (P.L. 92-500, as amended), the Department of State Lands seeks to relinquish the authority granted to the department by the federal government, the department shall, in compliance with ORS 171.130 and at least two years prior to the anticipated date for relinquishing the authority, submit to the Legislative Assembly a proposed legislative measure designed to implement a state permitting program for the dredging and filling of materials in the waters of this state.
[2001 c.516 §14]

Structure 2021 Oregon Revised Statutes

2021 Oregon Revised Statutes

Volume : 05 - State Government, Government Procedures, Land Use

Chapter 196 - State Waters and Ocean Resources; Wetlands; Removal and Fill

Section 196.105 - Definitions for ORS 196.105 to 196.125.

Section 196.107 - Legislative findings on management plan; effect of plan on land use decisions; decertification of plan.

Section 196.110 - Land use regulation in Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Section 196.115 - Appeal from decision of Columbia River Gorge Commission or county.

Section 196.125 - Buffer by regulation around Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area prohibited.

Section 196.150 - Compact provisions.

Section 196.160 - Membership on Columbia River Gorge Commission.

Section 196.165 - Status of commission employees for purposes of certain benefits.

Section 196.175 - Pacific Ocean Resources Compact ratified.

Section 196.180 - Compact provisions.

Section 196.185 - Representation on compact.

Section 196.200 - Definitions for ORS 196.200 to 196.240 and 196.993.

Section 196.205 - Establishment of Willamette Falls Locks Authority as independent public corporation.

Section 196.210 - Membership of authority.

Section 196.215 - Executive director; status of director and employees.

Section 196.220 - Powers and duties of authority.

Section 196.225 - Creation of tax-exempt entity by authority.

Section 196.230 - Revenue bonds issued by authority.

Section 196.235 - Financing agreements.

Section 196.240 - Audits; report to Legislative Assembly.

Section 196.405 - Definitions for ORS 196.405 to 196.515.

Section 196.407 - Policy.

Section 196.408 - Duties of state agencies.

Section 196.410 - Legislative findings for offshore oil and gas leasing.

Section 196.415 - Legislative findings for ocean resources management.

Section 196.420 - Policy.

Section 196.425 - Oregon Ocean Resources Management Program.

Section 196.435 - Primary agency for certain federal purposes; restrictions.

Section 196.438 - Ocean Policy Advisory Council; members; term of office; quorum.

Section 196.443 - Duties of council.

Section 196.448 - Member compensation; meetings.

Section 196.451 - Technical advisory committee; duties; members; vacancies; advisory committees; rules.

Section 196.453 - Project review panels; guidelines.

Section 196.465 - Compatibility of acknowledged comprehensive plans.

Section 196.471 - Territorial Sea Plan review requirements.

Section 196.485 - State agency coordination requirements; incorporation of plans.

Section 196.540 - Marine reserves; rules.

Section 196.542 - Limitation on ability of State Fish and Wildlife Commission to adopt prohibitions on fishing by rule.

Section 196.545 - Work plan; use of data and recommendations.

Section 196.550 - Funding.

Section 196.555 - Reporting; rules.

Section 196.565 - Oregon Ocean Science Trust; members; terms; compensation and expenses; rules.

Section 196.566 - Trust duties.

Section 196.567 - Oregon Ocean Science Fund; sources; uses.

Section 196.568 - Reimbursement from fund.

Section 196.569 - Report.

Section 196.570 - Agreements between Oregon Ocean Science Trust and private organizations; records; use of funds.

Section 196.571 - Policy.

Section 196.572 - Oregon Coordinating Council on Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia; members; terms; compensation and expenses; rules.

Section 196.573 - Council duties; biennial report.

Section 196.575 - Authorization to obtain federal oceanographic data; joint liaison program; use of data.

Section 196.580 - Liaison program duties.

Section 196.583 - Requirement to share geological data regarding territorial sea floor.

Section 196.600 - Definitions for ORS 196.600 to 196.655.

Section 196.605 - Purpose.

Section 196.610 - Powers of Director of Department of State Lands; fees.

Section 196.615 - Program for mitigation banks; program standards and criteria; rules.

Section 196.620 - Resource values and credits for mitigation banks; use and withdrawal of credits; annual evaluation of system by director.

Section 196.623 - Watershed enhancement project as mitigation bank; sale of mitigation credit.

Section 196.625 - Fill and removal activities in mitigation banks; reports.

Section 196.635 - Director to consult and cooperate with other agencies and interested parties.

Section 196.640 - Oregon Removal-Fill Mitigation Fund; rules.

Section 196.643 - Payments to comply with permit condition, authorization or resolution of violation; report; rules.

Section 196.645 - Sources of fund.

Section 196.650 - Use of fund.

Section 196.655 - Report on Oregon Removal-Fill Mitigation Fund; contents.

Section 196.668 - Legislative findings.

Section 196.672 - Policy.

Section 196.674 - Statewide Wetlands Inventory; rules.

Section 196.678 - Wetland conservation plans; contents; procedure for adopting.

Section 196.681 - Duties of department; standards for approval of plan; conditions for approval; order.

Section 196.682 - Permits required for removal or fill; conditions on issuance of permit.

Section 196.684 - Amendment of plans; review of plans by department; review of orders by Land Use Board of Appeals.

Section 196.686 - Acknowledged estuary management plans; review and approval; hearings; final order.

Section 196.687 - Regulation of alteration or fill of artificially created wetlands.

Section 196.688 - Public information program.

Section 196.692 - Rules.

Section 196.770

Section 196.795 - Streamlining process for administering state removal or fill permits; application for state program general permit; periodic reports to legislative committee.

Section 196.800 - Definitions for ORS 196.600 to 196.921.

Section 196.805 - Policy.

Section 196.810 - Permit for removal of material from or fill of waters; rules.

Section 196.812 - Large woody debris; rules.

Section 196.815 - Application for permit; rules; fees; disposition of fees.

Section 196.816 - General permits allowing removal of certain amount of material for maintaining drainage; rules; waiver of fees.

Section 196.817 - General permits; rules.

Section 196.818 - Wetland delineation reports; review by Department of State Lands; fees; rules.

Section 196.820 - Prohibition against issuance of permits to fill Smith Lake or Bybee Lake; exception.

Section 196.825 - Criteria for issuance of permit; conditions; consultation with public bodies; hearing; appeal.

Section 196.830 - Estuarine resource replacement as condition for fill or removal from estuary; considerations; other permit conditions.

Section 196.850 - Waiving permit requirement in certain cases; rules; notice; review; fees; disposition of fees.

Section 196.860 - Enforcement powers of director.

Section 196.870 - Abatement proceedings; restraining order; injunction; public compensation.

Section 196.875 - Double and treble damages for destruction of public right of navigation, fishery or recreation; costs and attorney fees.

Section 196.885 - Annual report of fill and removal activities; contents of report.

Section 196.895 - Imposition of civil penalties.

Section 196.900 - Schedule of civil penalties; rules; factors to be considered in imposing civil penalties.

Section 196.906 - Legislative findings and declarations.

Section 196.909 - Definitions.

Section 196.911 - Maintenance without permit; applicability; notice.

Section 196.913 - Prohibitions; conditions.

Section 196.915 - State agencies’ review and responses to notice; additional conditions; expedited review; variances; inspections; records; rules.

Section 196.917 - Notice of violation; reasonable efforts to induce voluntary compliance.

Section 196.919 - Memoranda of understanding.

Section 196.921 - Applicability; rules.

Section 196.931 - Monitoring fill and removal activities; public education and information materials; periodic reports to legislative committee.

Section 196.990 - Penalties for unpermitted removal from or filling of waters.

Section 196.993 - Penalties for unauthorized use of Willamette Falls Locks.