75th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2009 Regular Session
NOTE: Matter within { + braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within { - braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
{ + braces and plus signs + } .
LC 2962
Senate Bill 678
Sponsored by Senator PROZANSKI (at the request of Jerry DeLoach)
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
Removes restrictions on prospecting, using nonmotorized
methods, of beds and banks of state scenic waterways without
permit. Allows mining of beds and banks of state scenic
waterways, using nonmotorized or motorized methods, after
obtaining permit.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to state scenic waterways; amending ORS 390.835.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. ORS 390.835 is amended to read:
390.835. (1) It is declared that the highest and best uses of
the waters within scenic waterways are recreation, fish and
wildlife uses. The free-flowing character of these waters shall
be maintained in quantities necessary for recreation, fish and
wildlife uses. No dam, or reservoir, or other water impoundment
facility shall be constructed on waters within scenic waterways.
No water diversion facility shall be constructed or used except
by right previously established or as permitted by the Water
Resources Commission, upon a finding that such diversion is
necessary to uses designated in ORS 536.310 (12), and in a manner
consistent with the policies set forth under ORS 390.805 to
390.925. The Water Resources Commission shall administer and
enforce the provisions of this subsection.
(2) { - Filling of the beds or removal of material from or
other alteration of the beds or banks of scenic waterways for
purposes other than recreational prospecting not requiring a
permit shall be prohibited, except as permitted by the Director
of the Department of State Lands upon a finding that such
activity would be consistent with the policies set forth under
ORS 390.805 to 390.925 for scenic waterways and in a manner
consistent with the policies set forth under ORS 196.800 to
196.825 and 196.845 to 196.870 for removal of material from the
beds and banks and filling of any waters of this state. The
Director of the Department of State Lands shall administer and
enforce the provisions of this subsection. - } { + A person may
not fill the beds of scenic waterways or remove material from or
otherwise alter the beds or banks of scenic waterways unless:
(a) The person is prospecting; or
(b) The Director of the Department of State Lands issues a
permit to the person in accordance with the provisions of ORS
196.800 to 196.825 and 196.845 to 196.870. + }
(3)(a) Upon a finding of emergency circumstances, the Director
of the Department of State Lands may issue a temporary permit for
the removal, filling or alteration of the beds or banks within a
scenic waterway. The temporary permit shall include conditions
developed after consultation with the State Department of Fish
and Wildlife and the State Parks and Recreation Department.
(b) As used in this subsection, 'emergency circumstances '
exist if prompt action is necessary to prevent irreparable harm,
injury or damage to persons or property.
(4) Any person adversely affected or aggrieved by the grant or
denial of a permit under subsection (2) or (3) of this section
may appeal in accordance with the procedure set forth in ORS
196.835.
(5) Nothing in ORS 390.805 to 390.925 affects the authority of
the State Fish and Wildlife Commission to construct facilities or
make improvements to facilitate the passage or propagation of
fish or to exercise other responsibilities in managing fish and
wildlife resources. Nothing in ORS 390.805 to 390.925 affects the
authority of the Water Resources Commission to construct and
maintain stream gauge stations and other facilities related to
the commission's duties in administration of the water laws.
(6) Upon a finding of necessity under subsection (1) of this
section, the Water Resources Commission may issue a water right
for human consumption not to exceed 0.005 cubic feet per second
per household, or livestock consumption uses not to exceed
one-tenth of one cubic foot per second per 1,000 head of
livestock, as designated in ORS 536.310 (12) within or above a
scenic waterway if the Water Resources Commission makes the
following findings:
(a) That issuing the water right does not significantly impair
the free-flowing character of these waters in quantities
necessary for recreation, fish and wildlife.
(b) That issuing the water right is consistent with provisions
pertaining to water appropriation and water rights under ORS
chapters 536 and 537 and rules adopted thereunder.
(c) That construction, operation and maintenance of the
diversion system will be carried out in a manner consistent with
the purposes set forth in ORS 390.805 to 390.925.
(d) If the water right is for human consumption, an additional
finding that:
(A) The applicant cannot reasonably obtain water from any other
source;
(B) Denial of the water right would result in loss of
reasonable expectations for use of the property; and
(C) The system installed to divert water shall include
monitoring equipment to permit water use measurement and
reporting.
(e) If the water right is for livestock consumption, an
additional finding that:
(A) The right is necessary to prevent the livestock from
watering in or along the stream bed;
(B) The applicant cannot reasonably obtain water from any other
source; and
(C) The applicant has excluded livestock from the stream and
its adjacent riparian zone.
(7) In making the findings required under subsection (6) of
this section, the Water Resources Commission shall consider the
existing or potential cumulative impacts of issuing the water
right.
(8) The Water Resources Commission may not allow human
consumption and livestock uses authorized under subsection (6) of
this section in excess of a combined cumulative total of one
percent of the average daily flow or one cubic foot per second,
whichever is less, unless:
(a) The Water Resources Commission, the State Parks and
Recreation Department, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife,
the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of
State Lands unanimously agree to exceed that amount; and
(b) Exceeding that amount will not significantly impair the
free-flowing character of these waters in quantities necessary
for recreation, fish and wildlife.
(9)(a) The provisions of this section { - shall - }
{ + may + } not apply to a water right application for the use
of ground water as defined in ORS 537.515, except upon a finding
by the Water Resources Director based on a preponderance of
evidence that the use of ground water will measurably reduce the
surface water flows necessary to maintain the free-flowing
character of a scenic waterway in quantities necessary for
recreation, fish and wildlife.
(b) The Water Resources Department shall review every
application for the use of ground water to determine whether to
make the finding specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection.
The finding shall be based upon the application of generally
accepted hydrogeologic methods using relevant and available field
information concerning the proposed use.
(c) In making the determination required by paragraph (a) of
this subsection, the Water Resources Department shall consider
the timing of projected impacts of the proposed use in relation
to other factors, including but not limited to: Changing climate,
recharge, incidental precipitation, out-of-stream appropriations
and return flows.
(d) If the Water Resources Director makes the finding specified
in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the Water Resources Director
shall issue an order denying the application unless:
(A) Mitigation is provided in accordance with subsection (10)
of this section; or
(B) The applicant submits evidence to overcome the finding
under paragraph (a) of this subsection.
(e) Except as provided under subsection (13) of this section,
if the Water Resources Director does not make the finding
specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the Water
Resources Director shall issue an order approving the application
if the application otherwise meets the requirements of ORS
537.505 to 537.795.
(f) A protest of any order issued under this subsection may be
filed in the same manner as a protest on any application for a
right to appropriate ground water.
(g) Each water right permit and certificate for appropriation
of ground water issued after July 19, 1995, for which a source of
appropriation is within or above a scenic waterway shall be
conditioned to allow the regulation of the use if analysis of
data available after the permit or certificate is issued
discloses that the appropriation will measurably reduce the
surface water flows necessary to maintain the free-flowing
character of a scenic waterway in quantities necessary for
recreation, fish and wildlife in effect as of the priority date
of the right or as those quantities may be subsequently reduced.
(h) Nothing in this subsection shall limit the use of ground
water for a use exempted under ORS 537.545.
(10) The Water Resources Commission or Water Resources Director
shall consider mitigation measures and may include mitigation
measures as conditions in any water right permit or certificate
to ensure the maintenance of the free-flowing character of the
scenic waterway in quantities necessary for recreation, fish and
wildlife.
(11) The Water Resources Commission and the Water Resources
Director shall carry out their responsibilities under ORS 536.220
to 536.590 with respect to the waters within scenic waterways in
conformity with the provisions of this section.
(12) As used in this section, 'measurably reduce' means that
the use authorized under subsection (9) of this section will
individually or cumulatively reduce surface water flows within
the scenic waterway in excess of a combined cumulative total of
one percent of the average daily flow or one cubic foot per
second, whichever is less, unless:
(a) The Water Resources Department, the State Parks and
Recreation Department, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife,
the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of
State Lands unanimously agree to exceed that amount; and
(b) Exceeding that amount will not significantly impair the
free-flowing character of these waters in quantities necessary
for recreation, fish and wildlife.
(13) Before authorizing an appropriation that will reduce
streamflows within a scenic waterway in amounts up to but not
exceeding the amounts described in subsection (12) of this
section, the Water Resources Director shall find:
(a) That the appropriation will not significantly impair the
free-flowing character of these waters in quantities necessary
for recreation, fish and wildlife.
(b) That the appropriation is consistent with provisions
pertaining to water appropriations and water rights under ORS
chapters 536 and 537 and the rules adopted thereunder.
(c) That construction, operation and maintenance of the
appropriation will be carried out in a manner consistent with the
purposes set forth in ORS 390.805 to 390.925.
{ - (14) No placer mining shall be permitted on waters within
scenic waterways other than recreational placer mining. - }
{ - (15) - } { + (14) + } { - No person shall be required
to obtain a permit for recreational prospecting resulting in the
fill, removal or other alteration of less than one cubic yard of
material at any one individual site and, cumulatively, not more
than five cubic yards of material from within the bed or wet
perimeter of any single scenic waterway in a single year. - }
{ + The Director of the Department of State Lands may not
require a person to obtain a permit under subsection (2) of this
section if the person is prospecting.
(15) + } { - Recreational prospecting shall not occur - }
{ + A person may not engage in prospecting + } at any site where
fish eggs are present.
{ - (16) No provision of this section shall be construed to
exempt recreational placer mining on a scenic waterway, other
than recreational prospecting not requiring a permit, from
compliance with the provisions of ORS 196.800 to 196.825 and
196.845 to 196.870 or rules adopted pursuant to ORS 196.800 to
196.825 and 196.845 to 196.870. - }
{ - (17) Recreational placer mining, other than recreational
prospecting not requiring a permit, shall not: - }
{ - (a) Dam or divert a waterway or obstruct fish
passage; - }
{ - (b) Include nozzling, sluicing or digging outside the wet
perimeter of the stream, nor extend the wet perimeter; - }
{ - (c) Include movement of boulders, logs, stumps or other
woody material from the wet perimeter other than movement by hand
and nonmotorized equipment; - }
{ - (d) Involve the disturbance of rooted or embedded woody
plants, including trees and shrubs, regardless of their
location; - }
{ - (e) Include excavation from the streambank; - }
{ - (f) Fail to level pits, piles, furrows or potholes
outside the main channel of the waterway upon leaving the
site; - }
{ - (g) Include operation of a suction dredge without a
suction dredge waste discharge permit from the Department of
Environmental Quality including, but not limited to, a
prohibition against dredging during periods when fish eggs could
be in the dredging site gravel; - }
{ - (h) Be conducted on federal lands except as allowed by
agencies of the federal government; - }
{ - (i) Impede boating; - }
{ - (j) Include operation of a dredge between the hours of 6
p.m. and 8 a.m. within 500 feet of a residence or within 500 feet
of a campground except within a federally designated recreational
mining site; or - }
{ - (k) Include operation of a dredge within the marked or
posted swimming area of a designated campground or day use area
except within a federally designated recreational mining
site. - }
{ - (18) - } { + (16) + } As used in this section:
(a) 'Bed' means the land within the wet perimeter and any
adjacent nonvegetated dry gravel bar.
(b) 'Prospecting' means to search or explore for samples of
gold, silver or other precious minerals, using nonmotorized
methods, from among small quantities of aggregate.
{ - (c) 'Recreational placer mining' includes, but is not
limited to, the use of nonmotorized equipment and motorized
surface dredges having an intake nozzle with an inside diameter
not exceeding four inches, a motor no larger than 16 horsepower
and a muffler meeting or exceeding factory-installed noise
reduction standards. 'Recreational placer mining' does not
include recreational prospecting that does not require a
permit. - }
{ - (d) - } { + (c) + } 'Wet perimeter' means the area of
the stream that is underwater, or is exposed as a nonvegetated
dry gravel bar island surrounded on all sides by actively moving
water at the time the activity occurs.
SECTION 2. ORS 390.835, as amended by section 8, chapter 516,
Oregon Laws 2001, is amended to read:
390.835. (1) It is declared that the highest and best uses of
the waters within scenic waterways are recreation, fish and
wildlife uses. The free-flowing character of these waters shall
be maintained in quantities necessary for recreation, fish and
wildlife uses. A dam, reservoir or other water impoundment
facility may not be constructed on waters within scenic
waterways. A water diversion facility may not be constructed or
used except by right previously established or as permitted by
the Water Resources Commission, upon a finding that such
diversion is necessary to uses designated in ORS 536.310 (12),
and in a manner consistent with the policies set forth under ORS
390.805 to 390.925. The Water Resources Commission shall
administer and enforce the provisions of this subsection.
(2) { - Filling of the beds or removal of material from or
other alteration of the beds or banks of scenic waterways for
purposes other than recreational prospecting not requiring a
permit shall be prohibited, except as permitted by the Director
of the Department of State Lands upon a finding that such
activity would be consistent with the policies set forth under
ORS 390.805 to 390.925 for scenic waterways and in a manner
consistent with the policies set forth under ORS 196.800 to
196.825 and 196.845 to 196.870 for removal of material from the
beds and banks and filling of any waters of this state. The
Director of the Department of State Lands shall administer and
enforce the provisions of this subsection. - } { + A person may
not fill the beds of scenic waterways or remove material from or
otherwise alter the beds or banks of scenic waterways unless:
(a) The person is prospecting; or
(b) The Director of the Department of State Lands issues a
permit to the person in accordance with the provisions of ORS
196.800 to 196.825 and 196.845 to 196.870. + }
(3)(a) Upon a finding of emergency circumstances, the Director
of the Department of State Lands may issue a temporary permit for
the removal, filling or alteration of the beds or banks within a
scenic waterway. The temporary permit shall include conditions
developed after consultation with the State Department of Fish
and Wildlife and the State Parks and Recreation Department.
(b) As used in this subsection, 'emergency circumstances '
exist if prompt action is necessary to prevent irreparable harm,
injury or damage to persons or property.
(4) Any person adversely affected or aggrieved by the grant or
denial of a permit under subsection (2) or (3) of this section
may appeal in accordance with the procedure set forth in ORS
196.835.
(5) Nothing in ORS 390.805 to 390.925 affects the authority of
the State Fish and Wildlife Commission to construct facilities or
make improvements to facilitate the passage or propagation of
fish or to exercise other responsibilities in managing fish and
wildlife resources. Nothing in ORS 390.805 to 390.925 affects the
authority of the Water Resources Commission to construct and
maintain stream gauge stations and other facilities related to
the commission's duties in administration of the water laws.
(6) Upon a finding of necessity under subsection (1) of this
section, the Water Resources Commission may issue a water right
for human consumption not to exceed 0.005 cubic feet per second
per household, or livestock consumption uses not to exceed
one-tenth of one cubic foot per second per 1,000 head of
livestock, as designated in ORS 536.310 (12) within or above a
scenic waterway if the Water Resources Commission makes the
following findings:
(a) That issuing the water right does not significantly impair
the free-flowing character of these waters in quantities
necessary for recreation, fish and wildlife.
(b) That issuing the water right is consistent with provisions
pertaining to water appropriation and water rights under ORS
chapters 536 and 537 and rules adopted thereunder.
(c) That construction, operation and maintenance of the
diversion system will be carried out in a manner consistent with
the purposes set forth in ORS 390.805 to 390.925.
(d) If the water right is for human consumption, an additional
finding that:
(A) The applicant cannot reasonably obtain water from any other
source;
(B) Denial of the water right would result in loss of
reasonable expectations for use of the property; and
(C) The system installed to divert water shall include
monitoring equipment to permit water use measurement and
reporting.
(e) If the water right is for livestock consumption, an
additional finding that:
(A) The right is necessary to prevent the livestock from
watering in or along the stream bed;
(B) The applicant cannot reasonably obtain water from any other
source; and
(C) The applicant has excluded livestock from the stream and
its adjacent riparian zone.
(7) In making the findings required under subsection (6) of
this section, the Water Resources Commission shall consider the
existing or potential cumulative impacts of issuing the water
right.
(8) The Water Resources Commission may not allow human
consumption and livestock uses authorized under subsection (6) of
this section in excess of a combined cumulative total of one
percent of the average daily flow or one cubic foot per second,
whichever is less, unless:
(a) The Water Resources Commission, the State Parks and
Recreation Department, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife,
the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of
State Lands unanimously agree to exceed that amount; and
(b) Exceeding that amount will not significantly impair the
free-flowing character of these waters in quantities necessary
for recreation, fish and wildlife.
(9)(a) The provisions of this section do not apply to a water
right application for the use of ground water as defined in ORS
537.515, except upon a finding by the Water Resources Director
based on a preponderance of evidence that the use of ground water
will measurably reduce the surface water flows necessary to
maintain the free-flowing character of a scenic waterway in
quantities necessary for recreation, fish and wildlife.
(b) The Water Resources Department shall review every
application for the use of ground water to determine whether to
make the finding specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection.
The finding shall be based upon the application of generally
accepted hydrogeologic methods using relevant and available field
information concerning the proposed use.
(c) In making the determination required by paragraph (a) of
this subsection, the Water Resources Department shall consider
the timing of projected impacts of the proposed use in relation
to other factors, including but not limited to: Changing climate,
recharge, incidental precipitation, out-of-stream appropriations
and return flows.
(d) If the Water Resources Director makes the finding specified
in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the Water Resources Director
shall issue an order denying the application unless:
(A) Mitigation is provided in accordance with subsection (10)
of this section; or
(B) The applicant submits evidence to overcome the finding
under paragraph (a) of this subsection.
(e) Except as provided under subsection (13) of this section,
if the Water Resources Director does not make the finding
specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the Water
Resources Director shall issue an order approving the application
if the application otherwise meets the requirements of ORS
537.505 to 537.795.
(f) A protest of any order issued under this subsection may be
filed in the same manner as a protest on any application for a
right to appropriate ground water.
(g) Each water right permit and certificate for appropriation
of ground water issued after July 19, 1995, for which a source of
appropriation is within or above a scenic waterway shall be
conditioned to allow the regulation of the use if analysis of
data available after the permit or certificate is issued
discloses that the appropriation will measurably reduce the
surface water flows necessary to maintain the free-flowing
character of a scenic waterway in quantities necessary for
recreation, fish and wildlife in effect as of the priority date
of the right or as those quantities may be subsequently reduced.
(h) This subsection does not limit the use of ground water for
a use exempted under ORS 537.545.
(10) The Water Resources Commission or Water Resources Director
shall consider mitigation measures and may include mitigation
measures as conditions in any water right permit or certificate
to ensure the maintenance of the free-flowing character of the
scenic waterway in quantities necessary for recreation, fish and
wildlife.
(11) The Water Resources Commission and the Water Resources
Director shall carry out their responsibilities under ORS 536.220
to 536.590 with respect to the waters within scenic waterways in
conformity with the provisions of this section.
(12) As used in this section, 'measurably reduce' means that
the use authorized under subsection (9) of this section will
individually or cumulatively reduce surface water flows within
the scenic waterway in excess of a combined cumulative total of
one percent of the average daily flow or one cubic foot per
second, whichever is less, unless:
(a) The Water Resources Department, the State Parks and
Recreation Department, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife,
the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of
State Lands unanimously agree to exceed that amount; and
(b) Exceeding that amount will not significantly impair the
free-flowing character of these waters in quantities necessary
for recreation, fish and wildlife.
(13) Before authorizing an appropriation that will reduce
streamflows within a scenic waterway in amounts up to but not
exceeding the amounts described in subsection (12) of this
section, the Water Resources Director shall find:
(a) That the appropriation will not significantly impair the
free-flowing character of these waters in quantities necessary
for recreation, fish and wildlife.
(b) That the appropriation is consistent with provisions
pertaining to water appropriations and water rights under ORS
chapters 536 and 537 and the rules adopted thereunder.
(c) That construction, operation and maintenance of the
appropriation will be carried out in a manner consistent with the
purposes set forth in ORS 390.805 to 390.925.
{ - (14) Placer mining is not permitted on waters within
scenic waterways, other than recreational placer mining. - }
{ - (15) - } { + (14) + } { - A person may not be
required to obtain a permit for recreational prospecting or other
nonmotorized recreational activity resulting in the fill, removal
or other alteration of less than one cubic yard of material at
any one individual site and, cumulatively, not more than five
cubic yards of material from within the bed or wet perimeter of
any single scenic waterway in a single year. - } { + The
Director of the Department of State Lands may not require a
person to obtain a permit under subsection (2) of this section if
the person is prospecting.
(15) + } { - Recreational prospecting shall not occur - }
{ + A person may not engage in prospecting + } at any site where
fish eggs are present.
{ - (16) This section does not exempt recreational placer
mining on a scenic waterway, other than recreational prospecting
not requiring a permit, from compliance with the provisions of
ORS 196.800 to 196.825 and 196.845 to 196.870 or rules adopted
pursuant to ORS 196.800 to 196.825 and 196.845 to 196.870. - }
{ - (17) Recreational placer mining may not: - }
{ - (a) Dam or divert a waterway or obstruct fish
passage; - }
{ - (b) Include nozzling, sluicing or digging outside the wet
perimeter of the stream, nor extend the wet perimeter; - }
{ - (c) Include movement of boulders, logs, stumps or other
woody material from the wet perimeter other than movement by hand
and nonmotorized equipment; - }
{ - (d) Involve the disturbance of rooted or embedded woody
plants, including trees and shrubs, regardless of their
location; - }
{ - (e) Include excavation from the streambank; - }
{ - (f) Fail to level pits, piles, furrows or potholes
outside the main channel of the waterway upon leaving the
site; - }
{ - (g) Include operation of a suction dredge without a
suction dredge waste discharge permit from the Department of
Environmental Quality including, but not limited to, a
prohibition against dredging during periods when fish eggs could
be in the dredging site gravel; - }
{ - (h) Be conducted on federal lands except as allowed by
agencies of the federal government; - }
{ - (i) Impede boating; - }
{ - (j) Include operation of a dredge between the hours of 6
p.m. and 8 a.m. within 500 feet of a residence or within 500 feet
of a campground except within a federally designated recreational
mining site; or - }
{ - (k) Include operation of a dredge within the marked or
posted swimming area of a designated campground or day use area
except within a federally designated recreational mining
site. - }
{ - (18) - } { + (16) + } As used in this section:
(a) 'Bed' means the land within the wet perimeter and any
adjacent nonvegetated dry gravel bar.
(b) 'Prospecting' means to search or explore for samples of
gold, silver or other precious minerals, using nonmotorized
methods, from among small quantities of aggregate.
{ - (c) 'Recreational placer mining' includes, but is not
limited to, the use of nonmotorized equipment and motorized
surface dredges having an intake nozzle with an inside diameter
not exceeding four inches, a motor no larger than 16 horsepower
and a muffler meeting or exceeding factory-installed noise
reduction standards. 'Recreational placer mining' does not
include recreational prospecting that does not require a
permit. - }
{ - (d) - } { + (c) + } 'Wet perimeter' means the area of
the stream that is underwater, or is exposed as a nonvegetated
dry gravel bar island surrounded on all sides by actively moving
water at the time the activity occurs.
----------