2021 Oregon Revised Statutes
Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally
Section 537.140 - Application for permit; contents; maps and drawings.


(A) The name and mailing address of the applicant;
(B) The source of water supply including the name and mailing address of any owner of the land upon which the source of the water supply is located;
(C) The nature and amount of the proposed use;
(D) The location and description of the proposed ditch, canal or other work, including the name and mailing address of the owner of any lands that are not owned by the applicant and that are crossed by the proposed ditch, canal or other work even if the applicant has obtained written authorization or an easement from the owner;
(E) A statement declaring whether the applicant has written authorization or an easement permitting access to nonowned land crossed by the proposed ditch, canal or other work;
(F) The time within which it is proposed to begin construction;
(G) The time required for completion of the construction;
(H) The time for the complete application of the water to the proposed use; and
(I) Any other information required in the application form that is necessary to evaluate the application as established by statute and rule.
(b) If for agricultural purposes, the application shall give the legal subdivisions of the land and the acreage to be irrigated, as near as may be.
(c) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, if for power purposes, the application shall give the nature of the works by means of which the power is to be developed, the head and amount of water to be utilized, and the uses to which the power is to be applied.
(d) If for construction of a reservoir, the application shall give the height of dam, the capacity of the reservoir, and the uses to be made of the impounded waters.
(e) If for municipal water supply, the application shall give the present population to be served, and, as near as may be, the future requirements of the city.
(f) If for mining purposes, the application shall give the nature of the mines to be served, and the methods of supplying and utilizing the water.
(2) Any person who has applied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a preliminary permit or an exemption from licensing shall, at the same time, apply to the Water Resources Department for a permit to appropriate water for a hydroelectric project. An applicant for a permit to appropriate water for a new hydroelectric project shall submit to the department a complete copy of any application for the project filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or other federal agency. If the copy of the federal application is filed with the department at the same time it is filed with the federal agency, at the department’s discretion such copy may fulfill the requirements for an application under subsection (1) of this section.
(3) Each application shall be accompanied by any map or drawing and all other data concerning the proposed project and the applicant’s ability and intention to construct the project, as may be prescribed by the Water Resources Commission. The accompanying data shall be considered a part of the application.
(4) The map or drawing required to accompany the application shall be of sufficient quality and scale to establish the location of the proposed point of diversion and the proposed place of use identified by tax lot, township, range, section and nearest quarter-quarter section along with a notation of the acreage of the proposed place of use, if appropriate. In addition, the department shall accept locational coordinate information, including latitude and longitude as established by a global positioning system. If the application is for a water right for a municipal use, the map need not identify the proposed place of use by tax lot.
(5) Each application for a permit to appropriate water shall be accompanied by the examination fee set forth in ORS 536.050 (1).
(6) If the proposed use of the water is for operation of a mining operation as defined in ORS 517.952, the applicant shall provide the information required under this section as part of the consolidated application under ORS 517.952 to 517.989.
(7) Notwithstanding any provision of ORS chapter 183, an application for a permit to appropriate water shall be processed in the manner set forth in ORS 537.120 to 537.360. Nothing in ORS chapter 183 shall be construed to allow additional persons to participate in the process. To the extent that any provision in ORS chapter 183 conflicts with a provision set forth in ORS 537.120 to 537.360, the provisions in ORS 537.120 to 537.360 shall control. [Amended by 1985 c.673 §27; 1987 c.542 §5; 1989 c.509 §4; 1991 c.735 §32; 1991 c.869 §6; 1993 c.557 §1; 1993 c.591 §2; 1995 c.365 §3; 1995 c.416 §5; 1997 c.446 §1; 1997 c.587 §4; 2013 c.371 §31]

Structure 2021 Oregon Revised Statutes

2021 Oregon Revised Statutes

Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food

Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally

Section 537.040 - Registration of water for road construction, maintenance or reconstruction; fee; annual renewal statement; limitations; rules.

Section 537.090 - Laws applicable to geothermal wells.

Section 537.095 - Interference between geothermal well and other water appropriation.

Section 537.097 - Verification of land ownership; time limits; exception.

Section 537.099 - Water use report from governmental entity.

Section 537.130 - Permit to appropriate water required; notification to owner of certain land.

Section 537.131 - Reclaimed water.

Section 537.132 - Exemption from permit requirement for use of reclaimed water; rules.

Section 537.133 - Permittee’s right to enter on forestland; notice.

Section 537.135 - Permit required to appropriate water for recharging ground water sources; minimum perennial streamflow required for permit; exception.

Section 537.139 - Failure to obtain authorization for access to certain land.

Section 537.140 - Application for permit; contents; maps and drawings.

Section 537.141 - Uses of water not requiring water right application, permit or certificate; rules.

Section 537.142 - Water right permit or certificate not required for egg incubation project under salmon and trout enhancement program.

Section 537.143 - Limited license to use or store surface or ground water or to use stored water; rules.

Section 537.144 - Request for right to use water under limited license; fee.

Section 537.145 - Notice of filing of application to appropriate water for hydroelectric purposes.

Section 537.147 - Permit to use stored water; fee.

Section 537.150 - Filing of application; determination of completeness; initial review; preliminary determination; notice; public comments; fees.

Section 537.153 - Review of application; proposed final order; presumption that use will not impair or be detrimental to public interest; standing; protest; final order; contested case hearing.

Section 537.160 - Approval for beneficial use; agreement authorizing use of ditch for waste or seepage water.

Section 537.170 - Contested case hearing on application; final order; appeal.

Section 537.173 - Exceptions to final order; modified order.

Section 537.175 - Time limit for issuing final order or scheduling contested case hearing; applicant request for extension.

Section 537.190 - Terms and conditions of approval; municipal water supplies; release of stored water.

Section 537.211 - Issuance of permit if application approved; contents of permit; effect; rejection of application; change in permit terms.

Section 537.220 - Assignment of application, permit or license.

Section 537.225 - Full or partial assignment of water right permit; issuance of replacement permits.

Section 537.227 - Protest of application to assign all or part of water right permit.

Section 537.230 - Time allowed for construction of irrigation or other work; extension; survey; map; requirements for supplemental water right.

Section 537.240 - Federal permit; time for obtaining; cancellation; time for beginning and completing work.

Section 537.248 - Requirement to include in reservoir permit date for beginning and completing construction and for perfecting water right; extension.

Section 537.249 - Election to have proposed reservation considered as application for permit or rulemaking proceeding.

Section 537.250 - Water right certificate; issuance; inclusion of land not described in permit; recordation; duration of rights.

Section 537.252 - Certificate issued for land not described in permit; notice.

Section 537.260 - Cancellation of permit for failure of proof of completion of appropriation; issuance of limited certificate; contest of issuance of certificate; exception for municipalities.

Section 537.283 - Procedure for applications to appropriate water for hydroelectric power; rules.

Section 537.289 - Conditions to be imposed on permit of municipal corporation or district.

Section 537.292 - Conditions to be imposed on certificate of municipal corporation or district.

Section 537.295 - Cancellation of permit when holder fails to continue to qualify as municipal applicant.

Section 537.297 - Cancellation of water right certificate when holder fails to continue to qualify as municipal applicant.

Section 537.299 - Consequences of cancellation of permit or certificate if holder no longer municipal applicant; conditions to protect public health and welfare.

Section 537.310 - Acquisition of water rights for railway purposes; certificates.

Section 537.330 - Disclosure required in real estate transaction involving water right; exception; delivery of available permit, order or certificate; effect of failure to comply.

Section 537.332 - Definitions for ORS 537.332 to 537.360.

Section 537.334 - Findings.

Section 537.336 - State agencies authorized to request in-stream water rights; agreement required when supply is stored water.

Section 537.343 - Proposed final order; conditions.

Section 537.346 - Conversion of minimum perennial streamflows to in-stream water rights; special provisions for Willamette Basin.

Section 537.348 - Purchase, lease or gift of water right for conversion to in-stream water right; priority dates; split use.

Section 537.350 - Legal status of in-stream water right.

Section 537.356 - Request for reservation of unappropriated water for future economic development; priority date of reservation.

Section 537.358 - Rules for reservation for future economic development; application for use of reserved water.

Section 537.385 - Extension of irrigation season; rules; limitations.

Section 537.395 - Public recapture of water power rights and properties; no recapture of other rights.

Section 537.400 - Reservoir permits.

Section 537.405 - Exempt reservoirs; written notification to department; injury to other users.

Section 537.407 - Water right certificate for reservoirs existing before January 1, 1993; injury to other users; conversion of prior application to notice of exemption.

Section 537.409 - Alternate permit application process for qualifying reservoirs; injury to existing users or fishery resources; public interest review; rules.

Section 537.410 - Failure to commence or complete work, or to properly apply water, as grounds for cancellation of permit; irrigation districts, municipalities and public utilities excepted.

Section 537.445 - Hearing upon proposal to cancel permit or appropriation; cancellation suspended pending review.

Section 537.455 - Definitions for ORS 537.455 to 537.500 and 540.510.

Section 537.460 - Legislative findings; policy.

Section 537.463 - Applicability of ORS 537.455 to 537.500.

Section 537.465 - Application for allocation of conserved water; submission; required contents.

Section 537.470 - Allocation of conserved water by commission; criteria; percentage to state; certificates showing change in original water right.

Section 537.480 - Rules; criteria for evaluating allocation and determining mitigation required.

Section 537.485 - Priority of right to use conserved water; choice of priority.

Section 537.490 - Use of conserved water; notice of dispensation of right to use.

Section 537.495 - Receipt by state agency or political subdivision of right to use conserved water.

Section 537.500 - Legal status of conserved water right.

Section 537.515 - Definitions for ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992.

Section 537.525 - Policy.

Section 537.532 - Injection of ground water into aquifers; standards.

Section 537.534 - Rules for permitting and administering aquifer storage and recovery projects; limited license for test program; fees.

Section 537.535 - Unlawful use or appropriation of ground water, including well construction and operation.

Section 537.545 - Exempt uses; map; filing of use; fee; rules.

Section 537.605 - Registration of right to appropriate ground water claimed under ORS 537.585 or 537.595; registration statement.

Section 537.610 - Recording registration statement; issuing certificate of registration; effect of certificate; rules; fees.

Section 537.615 - Application for permit to acquire new right or enlarge existing right to appropriate ground water; plans and drawings.

Section 537.620 - Determination of completeness of application; initial review; preliminary determination; notice; public comments.

Section 537.621 - Review of application; proposed final order; presumption; rebuttal; findings and conclusions; flow rate and duty; standing; protest; final order; contested case hearing.

Section 537.622 - Contested case hearing; parties; issues.

Section 537.625 - Final order; appeal; contents of permit.

Section 537.626 - Exceptions to final order; modified order.

Section 537.627 - Time limit for issuing final order or scheduling contested case hearing; extension; writ of mandamus.

Section 537.628 - Terms; conditions; time limit for issuing final order after contested case hearing.

Section 537.629 - Conditions or limitations to prevent interference with other users.

Section 537.630 - Time allowed for construction work under permit; extension; certificate of completion; survey; ground water right certificate; requirements for supplemental water right.

Section 537.635 - Assignment of application, certificate of registration or permit.

Section 537.665 - Investigation of ground water reservoirs; defining characteristics and assigning names and numbers.

Section 537.670 - Determination of rights to appropriate ground water of ground water reservoir.

Section 537.675 - Determination of rights in several reservoirs or of critical ground water area in same proceeding.

Section 537.685 - Findings of fact and order of determination.

Section 537.730 - Designation of critical ground water area; rules; notice.

Section 537.735 - Rules designating critical ground water area.

Section 537.742 - Contested case proceeding to limit use of ground water in critical ground water area.

Section 537.743 - Program to remediate certain domestic water wells.

Section 537.744 - Domestic Well Remediation Fund.

Section 537.745 - Voluntary agreements among ground water users from same reservoir.

Section 537.746 - Mitigation credits for projects in Deschutes River Basin; relationship to water made available; rules; annual report.

Section 537.747 - Water well constructor’s license; rules; fees.

Section 537.750 - Examination for license.

Section 537.753 - Bond or letter of credit; landowner’s permit and bond; fee.

Section 537.762 - Report of constructor before beginning work on well; rules; fees.

Section 537.763 - Water Resources Department Operating Fund.

Section 537.765 - Log of constructing, altering, abandoning or converting well; furnishing samples to Water Resources Commission.

Section 537.767 - Disbursement of moneys in Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement Fund.

Section 537.772 - Pump tests; report; rules for waiver.

Section 537.775 - Wasteful or defective wells; permanent abandonment of old well.

Section 537.777 - Regulation of controlling works of wells and distribution of ground water.

Section 537.780 - Powers of Water Resources Commission; rules; limitations on authority.

Section 537.781 - Applying for injunction to address violation or potential violation.

Section 537.783 - Reinjection of geothermal fluids; rules and standards; water pollution control facilities permit.

Section 537.785 - Fees.

Section 537.787 - Investigation of violation of ground water laws; remedies for violation.

Section 537.789 - Well identification number.

Section 537.791 - Request for well identification number.

Section 537.796 - Rules regarding low temperature geothermal appropriations.

Section 537.798 - Water right examiner certificate; regulation of profession; rules; fees.

Section 537.799 - Survey for issuance of water right certificate.

Section 537.800 - Waste, spring and seepage waters; laws governing.

Section 537.801 - Definitions; findings.

Section 537.803 - Application proposing use of water outside of basin of origin; contents.

Section 537.805 - Processing of application; hearing; action on application.

Section 537.810 - Diversion or appropriation of waters from basin of origin without legislative consent prohibited; terms of consent; exceptions.

Section 537.835 - City of Walla Walla, Washington, may appropriate, impound and divert certain waters from Mill Creek.

Section 537.855 - Domestic water supply district permitted to divert water out of state; conditions.

Section 537.880 - Policy; log requirement; reporting.

Section 537.885 - Licensing or registration required for drilling of geotechnical hole.

Section 537.890 - Report form; rules; fees.

Section 537.895 - Water Resources Department Geotechnical Fund.

Section 537.990 - Criminal penalties.

Section 537.992 - Civil penalties; schedule of penalties; rules.