Oregon Chapter 274
Chapter 274 — Submersible and Submerged LandsDownload Full 2005 Oregon Revised Statutes (coming soon!)
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Chapter 274 —
Submersible and Submerged Lands
2007 EDITION
SUBMERSIBLE AND SUBMERGED LANDS
PUBLIC LANDS
GENERAL PROVISIONS
274.005 Definitions
274.015 Determination
of ordinary high and low water
274.025 Jurisdiction
over submersible and submerged lands generally
NAVIGABILITY OF STREAMS
274.036 Status
of channel of
SUBMERSIBLE LANDS
(
274.040
274.043 Exemptions
from leasing requirements; rules
(Harbor Improvements)
274.060 Regulation
of harbor improvements; oyster beds; public easement in submersible lands
(Common School Fund Investments)
274.085 Acquisition
for Common School Fund investment; lease of lands
DRAINAGE AND RECLAMATION
274.205 Definition
for ORS 274.210 to 274.290
274.210 Authority
of department to contract for drainage and reclamation of certain lands
274.220 Application
for drainage and reclamation of lands
274.230 Investigation
and report by Water Resources Director; terms of contract; bond
274.240 Performance
by contractor; disposal of lands; rules
274.250 Nonperformance;
action by department; appeal from decision of department
274.260 Title
of riparian owners
SWAMP AND SUBMERSIBLE LANDS
274.280 Surveys
and plans for reclamation of lands
274.290 Execution
of plan
BEDS OF STREAMS, LAKES AND BAYS
(Ownership)
274.400 Definition
for ORS 274.400 to 274.412
274.402 Exclusive
jurisdiction to assert title to submerged or submersible lands in navigable
waterway
274.404 Administrative
determination of navigable waterway; rules; procedure
274.406 Declaration
of state’s claim; effect
274.408 Public
notice of claim; content
274.412 Judicial
review of declaration of state’s claim
274.425 Definition
for ORS 274.430 to 274.520
274.430 State
ownership of meandered lakes; status as navigable and public waters
274.440 Acquisition
of future rights to meandered lakes denied; extension of riparian ownership;
lands overflowed by high water
274.450 Acquisition
of riparian rights by department
274.460 Settler’s
and riparian owner’s preferential right to purchase land within meander lines
274.470 Settler’s
right to deed to land within meander lines; preferential right to additional
land; tacking by successive settlers
274.480 Rights
of riparian owners on Malheur and
274.490 Settlement
of conflicting preferential rights
274.500 Conveyance
of compact area; prices; maximum acreage
274.510 Lake
bed lands claimed by the
274.520 Acceptance
of deed to lake bed lands as precluding any other claim
(Removing Materials)
274.525 City
use of stream bed material
274.530 Lease
or license of stream beds for removal of material; rules for measurement of
volume removed
274.550 Removal
of material without payment of royalties; eligible material and uses
274.560 Lease
terms; bond or security; prohibited lease or purchase option; monthly reports
and payments; rules
274.590 Cooperation
with
EXPLORATION FOR MINERALS
274.610 Prohibited
contracts for exploration for hard minerals; scientific research
TIDAL SUBMERGED AND SUBMERSIBLE LANDS
(General Provisions)
274.705 Definitions
for ORS 274.705 to 274.860
274.710 Jurisdiction
of department over tidal submerged lands; easements; leases for oil, gas and
sulfur
274.715 Sulfur
leases
274.720 Effect
of ORS 274.705 to 274.860 on power to make other leases and on jurisdiction of
agencies other than department
274.725 Scope
of leases and permits; persons ineligible
(Geological and Geophysical Surveys)
274.735 Application
for survey permit; effect of permit; rules
274.740 Issuance
of survey permit; renewal; reports
274.745 Drilling
logs and records
(Bid Procedure)
274.755 Hearing
prior to granting lease or easement
274.760 Considerations
involved in granting lease or easement
274.765 Publishing
offer to lease tidal submerged lands; bids; cash bonus; award of lease; fee
274.770 Prohibited
drilling requirements
(Leases)
274.780 Conditions
in leases and permits; execution; delivery of bonds or contracts to department
274.785 Exclusive
rights granted by lease; requirement of diligence; maximum area; assignment
274.790 Royalties
274.795 Rents
274.800 Bonds
274.805 Drill
sites
274.810 Commencement
of drilling; operational requirements
274.815 Extension
of time when wells to be drilled from filled land or structure
274.820 Water
contamination or pollution
274.825 Nonconflicting
use of leased lands
274.830 Protecting
lands from drainage
274.835 Conformance
to laws and regulations; periodic negotiations
274.840 Continuation
of lease after cessation of production
274.845 Surrender
of lease
274.850 Cancellation
of lease; partial retention of leasehold; removal of equipment
274.855 Restoration
of leasehold to original condition
274.860 Protection
and location of filled lands
(Wave Energy Facilities or Devices)
274.867 Wave
energy; financial assurance; rules
(Kelp Fields)
274.885 Lease
of kelp fields
274.890 Time
allowed lessee for survey and erection of plant; filing copy of survey with
department
274.895 Removing
kelp without lease
SUBMERSIBLE, SUBMERGED AND NEW LANDS
274.905 Definitions
for ORS 274.905 to 274.940
274.910 Application
and effect
274.915 Lease
or disposal of new lands; method
274.920 Creation
of new lands upon submersible or submerged lands
274.925 Right
of public riparian owner to purchase new lands; price determination
274.929 Right
of nonpublic riparian owner to purchase certain new lands; price determination
274.932 Right
of public body to purchase new lands created by it; price determination
274.935 Ownership,
by nonpublic owner of submersible or submerged lands, of new lands created
thereon
274.937 Right
of individual to purchase new lands created by individual; price determination
274.940 Reservation
of new lands
FORMERLY SUBMERGED, SUBMERSIBLE LANDS
274.960 Definitions
for ORS 274.960 to 274.985
274.963 Legislative
findings
274.965 Determination
of state interest; designation of areas; study deadlines
274.967 Department
studies; report, submission to board; hearings
274.970 Board
review; referral to department for further study; adoption
274.975 Board
declaration of state interest; effect
274.977 Notification
of declaration to public, landowners
274.980 Delivery
of copy of declaration to affected counties; recording required
274.983 Forwarding
original declarations and administrative records to director; disposition; use
of certified copy as evidence
274.985 Judicial
review of declarations
PENALTIES
274.990 Criminal
penalties
274.992 Civil
penalty for violation of ORS 274.040
274.994 Amount
of civil penalty for violation of ORS 274.040; rules; considerations in
imposing penalty
GENERAL PROVISIONS
274.005
Definitions. As used in this
chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:
(1) “Department” means the Department of
State Lands.
(2) “Director” means the Director of the
Department of State Lands.
(3) “Line of ordinary high water” means
the line on the bank or shore to which the high water ordinarily rises annually
in season.
(4) “Line of ordinary low water” means the
line on the bank or shore to which the low water ordinarily recedes annually in
season.
(5) “Land” includes water, water rights,
easements of every nature and all appurtenances to land.
(6) “Material” includes gravel, rock, sand
and silt, but does not include hard minerals subject to ORS 274.610, or oil,
gas and sulfur subject to ORS 274.705 to 274.860.
(7) “Submerged lands,” except as provided
in ORS 274.705, means lands lying below the line of ordinary low water of all
navigable waters within the boundaries of this state as heretofore or hereafter
established, whether such waters are tidal or nontidal.
(8) “Submersible lands,” except as
provided in ORS 274.705 means lands lying between the line of ordinary high
water and the line of ordinary low water of all navigable waters and all
islands, shore lands or other such lands held by or granted to this state by
virtue of her sovereignty, wherever applicable, within the boundaries of this
state as heretofore or hereafter established, whether such waters or lands are
tidal or nontidal. [1967 c.421 §98 and 1967 c.616 §13; 1969 c.594 §31; 1991
c.217 §3; 2003 c.253 §20]
274.010 [Amended by 1961 c.619 §41; renumbered
274.885]
274.015
Determination of ordinary high and low water. For purposes of this chapter, when the lines of ordinary high or low
water cannot be determined by survey or inspection, then such lines shall be
determined by the use of the annual mean high or mean low water for the
preceding year. [1967 c.421 §99]
274.020 [Renumbered 274.890]
274.025
Jurisdiction over submersible and submerged lands generally. (1) The title to the submersible and
submerged lands of all navigable streams and lakes in this state now existing
or which may have been in existence in 1859 when the state was admitted to the
Union, or at any time since admission, and which has not become vested in any
person, is vested in the State of Oregon. The State of
(2) No person shall acquire any right,
title or interest in or to the submersible and submerged lands of any such
navigable lakes, or any part thereof, by reliction or otherwise, or by reason
of the lowering or drainage of the waters of such lakes, except as provided by
statute. [Formerly 274.420]
274.029 [1973 c.496 §1; 1977 c.471 §1; 1981 c.219 §1;
repealed by 1983 c.566 §1]
274.030 [Amended by 1961 c.619 §42; renumbered
274.895]
274.031 [Formerly 274.034; 1981 c.219 §2; repealed
by 1983 c.566 §1]
274.032 [1977 c.471 §2; repealed by 1983 c.566 §1]
274.034 [1973 c.496 §2; 1977 c.637 §1; renumbered
274.031]
274.035 [Formerly 274.570; repealed by 1969 c.594 §63]
NAVIGABILITY
OF STREAMS
274.036
Status of channel of
SUBMERSIBLE
LANDS
(
274.040
(2) Submersible lands owned by the State
of Oregon that are determined by the State Land Board to be available for sale
may be sold only to the highest bidder, after being advertised not less than
once each week for two successive weeks in one or more newspapers of general
circulation in the county in which the lands are situated. However:
(a) No such lands shall be sold for less
than for a fair appraised value as determined by an appraiser appointed by the
department.
(b) All sales of such submersible lands
shall be approved by the State Land Board.
(c) Any owner of lands abutting or
fronting on such submersible lands shall have the preference right to purchase
such lands for the fair appraised value provided that the sale of such lands be
approved by the State Land Board.
(3)(a) The department may grant, to any
person holding a permit from the Water Resources Director authorizing the
impoundment for beneficial use of the waters of any lake or stream, easements
over submersible lands for flowage and storage of waters, and for the
construction, maintenance and operation of any structures or facilities
necessary for the use of the water under the terms of the permit upon payment
of just compensation by the grantee.
(b) In addition to the authority of the
department under paragraph (a) of this subsection to grant easements over
submersible lands, a person holding a water right permit, water right
certificate, proposed or final order approving a water right permit or court
decree evidencing a water right may occupy state-owned submersible lands for
the construction, maintenance and operation of any structure or facility
necessary for the use of water if the proposed use under the permit,
certificate, order or decree is for irrigation or domestic use. The department
may not charge for the occupation of state-owned submersible lands pursuant to
this paragraph, nor may the department require that a person obtain written
documentation to substantiate the permission granted under this paragraph. Upon
request by the Department of State Lands, the Water Resources Department shall
provide information to the Department of State Lands regarding any change of
use of the water right. A person may continue to occupy state-owned submersible
lands pursuant to this paragraph until:
(A) The water right permit is canceled
pursuant to ORS 537.260;
(B) The water right is canceled pursuant
to ORS 540.641; or
(C) The water is no longer being applied
to irrigation or domestic use.
(c) An easement or the permission granted
under this subsection may not be construed to be a sale or lease of the
submersible lands within the meaning of subsections (1) and (2) of this
section.
(d) A person granted an easement or
permission to use or occupy state-owned submersible lands under this subsection
shall indemnify and hold harmless the state from all liability and claims
arising from or attributable to the use or occupation.
(4) All easements or the permission
granted pursuant to subsection (3) of this section shall be subject to
conditions that will ensure the safety of the public and the preservation of
economic, scenic and recreational values and to lawful rules promulgated by
state agencies affected by the activities of the grantee.
(5) Nothing in this section affects the
provisions of ORS 509.505, 509.510, 511.606 to 511.806, 622.270 or 622.320 to
622.350.
(6) The Department of State Lands shall
designate the minimum acceptable amount for the lease of any submersible lands
otherwise authorized by law, other than any lease offered or issued by the
department under ORS 274.705 to 274.860.
(7) For the purpose of sale, the value of
state-owned submersible lands shall be determined by an appraiser appointed by
the department.
(8) The act of any person entering into an
agreement with the department under this section or ORS 274.530 for the lease
of submersible lands shall not be considered a waiver by such person of any
claim of ownership in the submersible lands described in the agreement. [Amended
by 1961 c.37 §1; subsection (3) enacted as 1961 c.37 §2; 1967 c.421 §104; 1969
c.594 §32; subsection (4) enacted as 1969 c.675 §17; 1975 c.547 §1; 1975 c.765 §2;
1979 c.793 §3; 1981 c.158 §1; 1981 c.432 §1; 1991 c.217 §5; 1995 c.113 §2; 2003
c.350 §1]
274.042 [1979 c.793 §2; repealed by 1991 c.521 §1
(274.043 (1) to (3) enacted in lieu of 274.042)]
274.043
Exemptions from leasing requirements; rules. (1) A privately owned float or dock occupying an area of 200 square
feet or less is exempt from the leasing requirements of ORS 274.040 if:
(a) The structure belongs to the
immediately adjacent riparian landowner; and
(b) The float or dock is uncovered,
unenclosed and open on all sides.
(2) A privately owned float or dock
constructed prior to September 29, 1991, and exempted under ORS 274.042 (1989
Edition) is exempt from the provisions of ORS 274.040.
(3) The Department of State Lands may, by
rule, provide for additional exemptions to the leasing requirements of ORS
274.040.
(4) Any float or dock described in
subsections (1) to (3) of this section shall be registered with the department.
[Subsections (1) to (3) enacted as 1991 c.521 §2 in lieu of 274.042; subsection
(4) enacted as 1991 c.521 §6]
274.045 [Subsection (1) of 1965 Replacement Part
enacted as 1961 c.703 §9; subsection (2) of 1965 Replacement Part enacted as
1961 c.619 §35; repealed by 1967 c.421 §206]
274.050 [Renumbered 273.900]
(Harbor
Improvements)
274.060
Regulation of harbor improvements; oyster beds; public easement in submersible
lands. (1) Nothing in ORS
274.040 prevents the Legislative Assembly from providing for regulation of the
building of wharves or other improvements in any bay, harbor or inlet of this
state, subject to ORS 780.060, or grants the exclusive right to any person to
use the natural oyster beds of this state.
(2) The grantee of any submersible lands
under ORS 274.040 shall hold the same subject to the easement of the public,
under the provisions and restrictions of law, to enter thereon and remove
oysters and other shell fish therefrom. [Amended by 1967 c.421 §105; 1969 c.594
§§33,33a]
274.065 [1965 c.368 §1; 1967 c.421 §114; renumbered
390.710]
274.070 [Amended by 1965 c.368 §2; 1967 c.421 §115;
renumbered 390.720]
274.075 [1961 c.36 §§1,2,3,4; 1967 c.421 §116; 1969
c.594 §34; repealed by 1969 c.601 §30]
274.080 [Amended by 1955 c.257 §1; 1965 c.368 §3;
1967 c.421 §117; repealed by 1969 c.601 §30]
(Common
School Fund Investments)
274.085
Acquisition for Common School Fund investment; lease of lands. Whenever it appears to the State Land Board
to be prudent and to the financial benefit of the Common School Fund, the State
Land Board may acquire as an investment for the Common School Fund any parcel
of land, whether or not submerged, and submersible lands or formerly submerged
and submersible lands. The consideration for such acquisition may be an
exchange of other lands under the jurisdiction of the State Land Board
including submerged and submersible lands or formerly submerged and submersible
lands or cash or a combination of such lands and cash. In leasing any lands
acquired as an investment for the Common School Fund, the board may use
negotiation, competitive bidding, solicitation of proposals or whatever
procedure or combination of procedures the board determines will maximize the
financial benefit to the Common School Fund. The board may determine on a
case-by-case basis what notice, publication or bidding procedures, if any, it
wishes to use in implementing its authority under this section. [1979 c.546 §1;
1981 c.158 §2]
Note: 274.085 was enacted into law by the
Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 274 or
any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised
Statutes for further explanation.
274.090 [Amended by 1959 c.237 §1; 1965 c.368 §4;
1967 c.421 §118; renumbered 390.730]
274.100 [Amended by 1965 c.368 §5; 1967 c.421 §119;
renumbered 390.740]
274.110 [Amended by 1967 c.421 §120; renumbered
390.750]
274.120 [Renumbered 273.902]
274.130 [Renumbered 273.903]
DRAINAGE AND
RECLAMATION
274.205
Definition for ORS 274.210 to 274.290. As used in ORS 274.210 to 274.290, “reclamation” includes, but is not
limited to, irrigation. [1969 c.594 §36]
274.210
Authority of department to contract for drainage and reclamation of certain
lands. The Department of
State Lands on behalf of the State of
(1) The drainage of submersible and
submerged lands adjoining or underlying any lakes, marshes or swamps in this
state, or for the drainage of that part which is in this state of submersible
and submerged lands adjoining or underlying any lake, marsh or swamp lying
partly in this state and partly in another state, and for the reclamation of
any such lands; and
(2) The sale or disposal of such drained
and reclaimed lands as provided for in ORS 274.210 to 274.260. [Amended by 1967
c.421 §121; 1969 c.594 §37; 2001 c.104 §82]
274.220
Application for drainage and reclamation of lands. (1) Any person desiring to enter into a
contract to drain submersible and submerged lands under ORS 274.210 to 274.260
and reclaim such lands shall file with the Department of State Lands an
application.
(2) The applicant, at the expense of the
applicant and without any cost or charge to the state, shall make the necessary
surveys and prepare a map of the lands proposed to be reclaimed. The map shall
exhibit a plan showing the area that is submersible or submerged and the mode
of the contemplated drainage and reclamation, and shall be accompanied by a
list of the lands proposed to be drained, with sufficient description to
identify the lands in accordance with rules promulgated by the department.
(3) The application shall contain an
estimate of the cost of the construction of the proposed system of drainage and
reclamation. [Amended by 1967 c.421 §122; 1969 c.594 §38]
274.230
Investigation and report by Water Resources Director; terms of contract; bond. (1) Upon receipt of the application, map and
plan of drainage and reclamation under ORS 274.220, the Department of State
Lands may require the Water Resources Director to make an investigation and
report at the expense of the applicant. If the project appears feasible and
desirable and such applicant responsible, the department may enter into a
contract with the applicant for construction of the drainage and reclamation
works.
(2) The applicant shall agree:
(a) To drain the submersible and submerged
lands substantially in accordance with the plans set forth in the contract;
(b) To make such proofs of reclamation as
are required by the department;
(c) To pay all costs incident to the
contract and making of the proof and any other expense connected therewith;
(d) That work will be commenced upon the
ditches or other works necessary for such drainage and reclamation at a time
fixed by the department and agreed upon in the contract;
(e) That by the end of the first year
after the time fixed in the contract for beginning such work, 10 percent of the
necessary expenditure will be made; and
(f) That this work will be prosecuted with
due diligence until complete and the required proof of reclamation is made.
(3) The department shall require a bond
subject to its approval in any sum it finds necessary to insure the faithful
performance of the contract. [Amended by 1967 c.421 §123; 1969 c.594 §39]
274.240
Performance by contractor; disposal of lands; rules. (1) Immediately upon execution of the
contract, the contractor undertaking the drainage and reclamation may enter
upon the lands for the purpose of reclaiming the same.
(2) The Department of State Lands shall
fix the amount to which the contractor is entitled for reclaiming the lands and
shall also fix the amount to be paid to the state for such lands. The
department may permit the contractor to sell or dispose of the lands at such
price and upon such terms as the department may fix in tracts not to exceed 640
acres to any one person under such rules as the department may promulgate
governing disposal.
(3) Upon proof satisfactory to the
department that the amount fixed by the department as due for reclamation and
the amount due the State of Oregon has been fully paid, the department shall
issue a quitclaim deed for not more than 640 acres to the purchaser of such
land. [Amended by 1967 c.421 §124; 1969 c.594 §40]
274.250
Nonperformance; action by department; appeal from decision of department. (1) Upon failure of any parties having
contracts with the state for construction of drainage and reclamation works to
begin the same within the time specified by the contract, or to complete the
same within the time or in accordance with the specifications of the contract,
the Department of State Lands shall give such parties written notice of such
failure. If the parties have failed to proceed with the work or to conform to
the specifications of the contract on or before the 60th day after the sending
of such notice, the contract and all work constructed thereunder is forfeited
to the state.
(2) Upon forfeiture, the department shall
immediately give notice once every week for a period of four weeks in some
newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the work is situated,
and in one newspaper of general circulation in this state, declaring the forfeiture
of the contract, and that upon a day stated in the notice proposals will be
received at the office of the department for the purchase of incomplete works
and for the completion of the contract, the time for receiving such bids to be
not earlier than the 60th day after issuance of the last notice of the
forfeiture. The sales shall be for cash to the highest responsible bidder. The
money received from the sale of the partially completed works under this
section shall first be applied to the expenses incurred by the state in their
forfeiture and disposal, and any surplus shall be paid into the State Treasury
and become a part of the Common School Fund.
(3) The contractors may appeal from the
decision of the department. The appeal shall be heard in chambers by the
circuit court of the district wherein the head works of the drainage system are
situated. [Amended by 1967 c.421 §125]
274.260
Title of riparian owners.
(1) The title of owners of land riparian to lakes and ponds drained under ORS
274.210 to 274.260 extends to only so much of the submersible or submerged
lands adjoining or underlying such lake or pond which may be reclaimed by such
drainage as is required to fill up the fractional subdivision or subdivisions
of a section which the owner owns and which are rendered fractional by such
lake or pond, and the title of such owner is so limited when the waters of such
lake or pond receding, because of such drainage, uncover the submersible or
submerged lands adjoining or underlying such lake or pond.
(2) This section shall not affect the
right of riparian owners to land acquired by natural accretion or reliction
because of the gradual and natural recession of the waters of the lake or pond
to which the lands of such owners are riparian. [Amended by 1967 c.421 §126;
1969 c.594 §41]
274.270 [Repealed by 1967 c.421 §206]
SWAMP AND
SUBMERSIBLE LANDS
274.280
Surveys and plans for reclamation of lands. In addition to its powers under ORS 274.210 to 274.260, the Department
of State Lands may cause reclamation surveys, plans and specifications to be
made for the reclaiming of any unsold swamp lands and submersible lands under
the control of the department. [Amended by 1967 c.421 §127; 1969 c.594 §42]
274.290
Execution of plan. The
Department of State Lands may direct the Water Resources Director to submit an
estimate of the probable cost of any survey, plan or specification of any
contemplated reclamation project under ORS 274.280. On consideration thereof,
if the department finds it to be in the interest of the state, the department
shall direct the Water Resources Director to cause such survey and plans and
specifications to be made and prepared. Upon receipt thereof the department may
proceed under the plan to the extent and in such manner as it considers
advisable. [Amended by 1967 c.421 §128]
274.300 [Amended by 1967 c.421 §22; renumbered
273.111]
274.310 [Amended by 1967 c.421 §129; 1969 c.594 §14;
repealed by 2005 c.755 §59]