Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-639 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-639
Annual levy of special assessment - Special assessment
Status: in_force

book.

The board of directors shall each year thereafter determine,

order and levy the part of the local assessment levied under this

act, which shall become due and collectable during each year at the

same time the state and county taxes are due and collected, which

annual levy shall be evidenced and certified by said board not later

than October first of each year to the county clerk of each county

in which the real or other property affected by said district is

situated. The certificate of said annual levy shall be

substantially as in the schedule herein.

They shall follow a table or schedule showing in properly ruled

columns: 1. The name of the owners of said property, which may be

as they appear in the decree of the court confirming appraisals,

including the name of a city, county, town or township. 2. The

description of the property opposite the names of the said owners.

3. The total amount of the said annual installment of all

assessments on such piece of property for the account of the funds.

4. A blank column in which the county treasurer shall record the

several amounts as collected by him. 5. A blank column in which

the clerk shall record the date of payment of the different sums. 6.

A blank column in which the county treasurer shall report the names

of the person or persons paying the several amounts.

The said certificates and report shall be prepared in triplicate

in a well-bound book which shall be endorsed and named "Conservancy

printed at the top of each page in said book.

Two copies of that part of such triplicate affecting lands in

any county shall be forwarded to the county clerk of such county,

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 114

one for his use and one for the county treasurer, to whom the clerk

shall certify one copy. It shall be the duty of the county clerk of

each county to receive the same as a special assessment book, and to

certify the same as other special assessment records to the county

treasurer of his county, whose duty it shall be to collect the same

according to law. And such special assessment book shall be the

treasurer's warrant and authority to demand and receive the

assessment due in his county as found in the same, and it shall be

unlawful for any such county treasurer to accept payment of the

general taxes levied against any tract, parcel, piece of land or

property described in such conservancy assessment book, until the

owner has been notified by him that there is a special assessment

noted in the conservancy book against such tract of land or other

property.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1624 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1624
State Flood Resiliency Revolving Fund
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving

fund for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to be designated the

"State Flood Resiliency Revolving Fund".

B. The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal

year limitations, and shall consist of all monies received by the

Board from the appropriations, apportionments, donations, federal

funding and fee revenues designated for the purposes of implementing

the recommendations and provisions of the comprehensive state flood

plan.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1501-502 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1501-502
Renumbered as § 3-3-105 of Title 27A by Laws 1993, c
Status: in_force

145, § 359, eff. July 1, 1993.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-577 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-577
Law governing
Status: in_force

The rights of conservancy districts, landowners, municipalities,

corporations, and other users of water in conservancy districts

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 95

shall be governed by the laws of the State of Oklahoma providing for

the use of water.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1132 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1132
Interim notes and conditions of issue
Status: in_force

Whenever the board of directors of a port authority shall have

adopted a resolution authorizing the issuance of any series of bonds

hereunder and said bonds have been sold but prior to the time as of

which the bonds can be delivered, the board of directors of a port

authority finds it necessary to borrow money for the purpose for

which the bonds were authorized, such board of directors may, by

appropriate resolution, authorize the borrowing of money in

anticipation of the issuance of the bonds, and the issuance of the

note or notes of the board of directors to evidence such borrowing.

The amount so borrowed shall not exceed the principal amount of the

bonds and shall not bear interest at a rate exceeding the average

interest rate of the bonds. Such note or notes shall be signed in

the manner prescribed by the board of directors and shall be made

payable at such time or times as the board of directors may

prescribe, not later than one (1) year from their respective dates

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 295

and may be renewed from time to time by the issuance of new notes

hereunder. The proceeds of any loan made under this section shall

be devoted exclusively to the purpose for which the bonds shall have

been authorized and the note or notes and the interest thereon shall

be paid with the proceeds of the bonds simultaneously with the

delivery of the bonds. If for any reason the bonds shall not be

issued, the holder or holders of the notes shall be entitled to all

rights which would have been enjoyed by the holders of the bonds had

they been issued; and the notes shall be paid from the revenues

provided for the payment of the bonds, and shall be entitled to the

benefit of all covenants, agreements and rights appearing in the

resolution authorizing the bonds for the benefit of the bonds.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-105.19 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-105.19
Surrender of water rights
Status: in_force

The Board may accept the surrender of any water right by the

holder thereof pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the

Board.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-685 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-685
Repeals - Certain laws not affected
Status: in_force

All acts or parts of acts conflicting in any way with any of the

provisions of this act, in regard to improvements of this or a

similar character, or otherwise interfering with the execution of

this law according to its terms, are hereby declared inoperative and

ineffective as to this act, as if they did not exist. But all such

laws and parts of laws shall not be in any way affected by this law.

This act shall not repeal Chapter 38 of the Oklahoma Compiled

Statutes, 1921, or any amendment thereto, but it shall be an

additional remedy.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1422 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1422
Amendment - Ratification
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 361

This ratification is subject to the State of Oklahoma and the

State of Arkansas, acting through their duly authorized compact

representatives, amending said "Arkansas River Basin Compact" in the

particulars as set forth hereinafter, and further, the ratification

of said amendment of said compact by the Legislature of the State of

Arkansas. Said amendment being expressed as follows:

The following language shall be added to Article VI, Section A

of said compact, towit: "Provided however that nothing contained in

this compact or its ratification by Arkansas or Oklahoma shall be

interpreted as granting either state or the parties hereto the right

or power of eminent domain in any manner whatsoever outside the

borders of its own state."
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.17 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.17
State policy - Purpose
Status: in_force

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Oklahoma

to encourage and promote the optimum development and utilization of

all feasible reservoir sites or areas within this state which may be

suitable and usable for the conservation storage of the waters of

this state by the construction or enlargement of dams, reservoirs or

other structures. It is the purpose of this act to provide or

assist in providing for the acquisition, development and utilization

of storage and control facilities of the waters of this state for

the use and benefit of the public and for the conservation and

distribution of water for useful purposes in or from reservoirs or

other storage facilities constructed, or hereafter constructed,

modified or enlarged, within the State of Oklahoma by the United

States of America or the State of Oklahoma or any agency,

department, subdivision or instrumentality thereof, for the

following and specific reasons and benefits for the general welfare

and the future economic growth of the state:

1. Multiple-purpose dam and reservoir sites are very limited in

number and not replaceable.

2. Water management in Oklahoma requires the storage of water

during periods of surplus supply for use during periods of short

supply.

3. Most reservoir sites in Oklahoma will have a useful life of

seventy-five to several hundred years. Therefore, it is imperative

that the reservoir sites be developed to the full potential of the

site and the net water yield of the drainage area after all present

and future needs and beneficial uses of water are satisfied above

said site.

4. The conservation of soil and water in Oklahoma requires the

continuation of watershed protection and flood prevention programs

on an accelerated priority basis with consideration given to future

water needs of the area.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-890 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-890
Control of segment of Grand River downstream from Fort
Status: in_force

Gibson Dam.

The Grand River Dam Authority shall have no control over that

portion of the Grand River downstream from Fort Gibson Dam to the

point of confluence of the waters of the Grand River with those of

the Arkansas River.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-575 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-575
Establishing stream and rain gauges, etc. - Surveys and
Status: in_force

investigations.

The board of directors shall also have the right to establish

and maintain streamgauges, rain gauges, a flood warning service with

telephone or telegraph service, and may make such surveys and

examination of rainfall and flood conditions, stream flow, and other

scientific and engineering subjects as are necessary and proper for

the purposes of the district, and they may issue reports of their

findings.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1285 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1285
County sales tax revenues - Application to facilities
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 314

A. Any county of this state, the territorial limits of which

are totally within the boundaries of a regional water district

organized under the provisions of this act, and which is qualified

to levy a county sales tax pursuant to the provisions of Sections

1370, 1371 and 1372 of Title 68 of the Oklahoma Statutes, may, by a

majority vote of its board of county commissioners, deem water

facilities and sewer facilities, as defined in this act, to be

capital improvements.

B. Any county of this state qualified under subsection A of

this section which follows the proscriptions mandated in Sections

1370, 1371 and 1372 of Title 68 of the Oklahoma Statutes, may use a

portion not to exceed forty percent (40%) of the proceeds of said

county sales tax to contract with the regional water district for

the specific purpose of financing such planning and capital costs,

or reimbursing such planning and capital costs as are properly

associated with the construction, erection, purchase or acquisition

of plants, buildings, works, property rights, transportation and

distribution lines, facilities or equipment of systems necessary to

transport, distribute, sell, furnish, treat, store and dispose of

water or sewage by the district.

C. Any sales tax levied pursuant to Sections 1370, 1371 and

1372 of Title 68 of the Oklahoma Statutes and approved by a majority

of the registered voters of the county voting thereon shall be, and

is herein declared to be a county tax; however, nothing in this act

shall prohibit the board of county commissioners of any county

qualified under the provisions of subsections A and B of this

section from specifying, in advance of an election called to approve

the imposition of said tax, that the intended use and purpose of a

portion of the proceeds of such levy are to be contractually

obligated to the district.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-105.5 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-105.5
Impairment of water rights - Suits in district court
Status: in_force

Any person having a right to the use of water from a stream as

defined by this act or Section 60 in Title 60 of the Oklahoma

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 19

Statutes whose right is impaired by the act or acts of another, or

others, may bring suit in the district court of any county in which

any of the acts complained of occurred. Provided, however, that

nothing herein contained shall be construed to empower district

courts to recognize rights to use the water of a stream unless such

rights have heretofore been established pursuant to this act or are

claimed under Section 60 in Title 60 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Provided, however, that the Attorney General shall intervene on

behalf of the state in any suit for the adjudication of rights to

the use of water if notified by the Board that the public interests

would be best served by such action.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1086.2 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1086.2
Powers of Oklahoma Water Resources Board
Status: in_force

For the purpose of effectuating the provisions of this act and

the policy established in Section 1086.1 of this title, the Oklahoma

Water Resources Board is hereby authorized, empowered and directed:

1. To prepare a comprehensive state water plan and decennial

updates thereof for submission to the Legislature and, in connection

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 265

therewith, to conduct surveys and cooperate with other state and

federal agencies. Such comprehensive state water plan and the parts

and portions thereof shall be submitted in final and completed form

not later than September 1, 1975, and, in addition to the foregoing

requirements, shall include a definition of "excess and surplus

water of this state" and a recommended procedure for determining

"excess and surplus water of this state," which definition and

procedure are to be developed to insure that the area of origin will

never be made water deficient.

The Water Resources Board shall permit representatives of the

United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation,

the Soil Conservation Service and other appropriate federal

agencies, as well as representatives of state agencies involved in

tourism, parks, fish and wildlife, recreation, soil conservation,

public health, agriculture, public utilities and industrial

development to participate to the extent of their authority and

capacity in the development of the comprehensive state water plan.

The Water Resources Board shall prepare such plan and updates in

printed form. Upon completion thereof, the plan shall be submitted

to the Oklahoma Legislature not later than September 1, 1975. The

Board is not authorized to implement the plan or any part or update

thereof except by express authorization and consent of the

Legislature. The first decennial update shall be prepared and

submitted to the Legislature no later than September 1, 1995.

Thereafter, updates shall be prepared and likewise submitted no

later than September 1 of the fifth year following the taking of the

Federal Decennial Census.

Work on the first update shall begin with the passage and

approval of this act. After completion of the first update, work on

subsequent updates shall remain continuous and ongoing throughout

the ten-year periods between submission of the updates.

2. To adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary to

effectuate the purposes of this act.

3. To make and enter into all contracts and agreements

necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the

execution of its powers under this act.

4. To receive and accept from the State of Oklahoma or the

United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof

grants of funds and to receive and accept aid or contributions from

any source of either money, property, labor or other things of value

to be held, used and applied only for the purposes for which such

grants and contributions may be made.

5. To expend income and funds of the Board in the exercise of

any or all of the powers granted to the Board under the provisions

of this act.

6. To cooperate with all state institutions, agencies,

departments, boards and officers in all matters relating to its

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 266

duties; and all state institutions, agencies, departments, boards

and officers are hereby authorized and directed to cooperate with

the Board.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-507 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-507
Costs
Status: in_force

Any petition filed under authority of this act by the

Conservation Commission of the State of Oklahoma shall be accepted

and filed by the clerk of the court in which the same is filed

without costs, and all proceedings thereunder shall be had without

cost to the Conservation Commission of the State of Oklahoma, except

that such Commission shall be liable for all costs of publishing the

notices herein prescribed.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1324.20 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1324.20
Dissolution of district - Disposition of facilities
Status: in_force

and property.

Whenever a district owning facilities and property desires to

dispose of such facilities and property and become dissolved, the

board of directors may adopt a resolution setting forth the proposed

plan and, upon such plan being approved by three-fourths (3/4) of

the participating members in a meeting called for that purpose, such

resolution and plan may be submitted to the board of county

commissioners. If approved by the commissioners, the commissioners

shall thereupon authorize the board of directors to carry through

said plan to dissolve and shall further authorize the board of

directors to wind up the affairs of the district, pay all debts and

expenses and to dispose of any property owned by the district and

for the apportionment of the proceeds thereof together with any

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 330

other monies belonging to the district to an adjoining rural water

district or to any other political subdivision of the state. No

money, property or the proceeds thereof shall be distributed to any

private interests. Thereupon the district shall be dissolved as

herein provided.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-647 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-647
Borrowing of money - Approval
Status: in_force

Conservancy districts may borrow money in any amount, which,

exclusive of interest, does not exceed the assessments then levied

but not collected, for any purpose incident to its powers and

functions and for any purpose provided by law, and may evidence such

debt by contract, agreement, notes or warrants payable within any

term not to exceed forty (40) years, and to bear interest at not to

exceed the market prime rate per year, provided that the interest

rate not exceed twelve and one-half percent (12 1/2%) per year. To

secure such loan or loans, the directors may pledge any assessment

then levied but not collected by the district and may agree to such

other terms and conditions, not incompatible with the provisions of

this title. Before any such loan is entered into by the district,

the board of directors shall make application to the district court

having jurisdiction of said district for approval of such loan. The

application shall set forth, the amount of the loan, the interest

rate, the purpose for which the loan is needed and a plan of

repayment. The application shall be set for hearing by the court

and notice by publication given to all owners of land upon which

assessment has been made by the district, without naming such owners

individually. Upon said hearing, if the owners of land in the

district upon which a majority of assessment has been made have not

filed written protests before the date of the hearing, and if the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 118

court finds that such loan is necessary and in the best interests of

the district, the court shall approve the application.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-896.11 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-896.11
Scenic rivers - Statement of purpose
Status: in_force

The Legislature finds that the protection and development of the

scenic rivers in the state and adjacent and contiguous lands and

quality of outstanding resource waters included within each scenic

river should be provided for by properly planned and executed rules

promulgated by the Grand River Dam Authority. The rules promulgated

by the Authority with respect to scenic rivers may address public

services, land use, occupancy, structures, lot and plot sizes,

density of population and other activities as required for the

proper protection of the aesthetic, scenic, historic, archeologic

and scientific features of the scenic rivers, or deemed necessary

for the protection of the ecosystem and the environment from

pollution, despoliation and destruction or waste of natural

resources and all other factors adversely affecting the public

health, safety and the general welfare so long as the rules comply

with the exempt provisions of the Scenic Rivers Act pertaining to

farming, ranching, forestry, silviculture and other agricultural

uses.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-277.12 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-277.12
Water delivery prohibited in delinquent cases
Status: in_force

No water shall be delivered to any land on which there are

delinquent assessments owed to the district. Before any water user

who has been delinquent is entitled to the delivery of water, such

water user shall procure from the secretary-treasurer a certificate

that all assessments have been paid.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1501-406 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1501-406
Renumbered as § 3-3-303 of Title 27A by Laws 1993, c
Status: in_force

145, § 359, eff. July 1, 1993.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.7C — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.7C
Phase II Arbuckle-Simpson Hydrology Study Revolving
Status: in_force

Fund.

A. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving

fund for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to be designated the

"Phase II Arbuckle-Simpson Hydrology Study Revolving Fund".

B. The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal

year limitations, and shall consist of all monies received by the

Oklahoma Water Resources Board from the appropriations,

apportionments, donations, federal grants and fee revenues

designated for the purposes of completing in coordination with

relevant state and federal agencies, specifically including the

United States Geological Survey, data collection and development of

an enhanced hydrologic framework and modeling of the eastern

Arbuckle-Simpson Groundwater Basin necessary for purposes of

implementing the requirements of subsection A of Section 1020.9 of

Title 82 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or as otherwise appropriate for

the Board's performance of its lawful function, which work is

necessary for completion of Phase II of the Arbuckle-Simpson

Hydrology Study.

C. All monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby

appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the Oklahoma Water

Resources Board for the purpose of implementing Phase II of the

Arbuckle-Simpson Hydrology Study. The Board shall coordinate with

East Central University and the United States Geological Survey for

the purpose of defining the study scope and conducting the work

necessary to complete data collection and the development of an

enhanced hydrologic framework and modeling of the eastern Arbuckle-

Simpson Groundwater Basin necessary for purposes of implementing the

requirements of subsection A of Section 1020.9 of Title 82 of the

Oklahoma Statutes, or as otherwise appropriate for the Board's

performance of its lawful function. The Board may coordinate with

other relevant state and federal agencies necessary for the purposes

of this fund.

D. Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon warrants

issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by

law with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise

Services for approval and payment.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-110.3 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-110.3
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this act:

1. "Board" means the Oklahoma Water Resources Board;

2. "Dam" means any artificial barrier, together with

appurtenant works, which does or may impound or divert water;

3. "Gully plug" means any grade stabilization structure that

has less than five (5) acre-feet of water storage available below

the principal spillway elevation and less than fifty (50) acre-feet

of storage volume below the emergency spillway elevation;

4. "Owner" means any person who, jointly or severally, owns,

controls, maintains, manages, or proposes to construct a dam or

reservoir, and includes but is not limited to those persons shown by

records of the county registrar of deeds in the county where the dam

or reservoir lies to have some interest, by fee, easement, mortgage

or otherwise, in the land on which the dam and lake lie, and may

also include but is not limited to those persons who may derive a

direct pecuniary benefit from the existence of the lake; and

5. "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership,

association, corporation, any trust formed for the benefit of an

individual, business or any public entity, federal agency, the State

of Oklahoma and any political subdivision thereof, municipalities,

and any other legal entity.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.8 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.8
Oklahoma Water Resources Board annual report
Status: in_force

The Oklahoma Water Resources Board shall make an annual report

to the Governor, setting forth in detail the operation of its

office, including a report of all funds received by it and the

disbursements of same.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-501 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-501
State Board authorized to organize conservancy districts -
Status: in_force

Members of board as directors of districts.

In addition to the powers conferred upon the Conservation Commission

of the State of Oklahoma by Article 5, Chapter 70, Oklahoma Statutes

of 1931, as amended by House Bill Number 84, of the Fifteenth

Legislature, the said Conservation Commission of the State of

Oklahoma is hereby authorized and empowered to determine and map

proposed water conservancy and/or water improvement districts and/or

soil erosion prevention districts and to perfect the organization of

such proposed districts in the manner as hereinafter prescribed. For

the purposes of this act and other Laws in connection therewith, the

members of the Conservation Commission of the State of Oklahoma may

be, by the courts upon which jurisdiction is hereinafter conferred,

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 60

appointed directors of the conservancy districts hereafter created

under the authority of this act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-862.1 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-862.1
Grand River Dam Authority - Exemptions
Status: in_force

In addition to the powers, rights and privileges enumerated in

Section 862 of this title, the Grand River Dam Authority shall be

exempt from the provisions of:

1. The Oklahoma Open Records Act, exclusively limited to:

a. customer proprietary information the Authority is

contractually obligated to keep confidential,

b. security plans and procedures in its role as an

electric utility regulated by the federal government,

c. information related to the security of electrical or

dam infrastructure and related information systems

that, if misused, could interfere with, attack,

compromise, or incapacitate the infrastructure or

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 146

information systems including information related to

the ability of the infrastructure or information

systems to resist such interference, compromise, or

incapacitation. Such information includes, but is not

limited to, any planned or past assessment,

projection, or estimate of the vulnerability of

critical infrastructure or information system,

security testing, risk evaluation, risk management

plans, operational plans, structural schematics,

recovery or response plans, or risk audits, and

d. proprietary or commercial information received subject

to a nondisclosure agreement or confidentiality

agreement;

2. The Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, exclusively limited to

authorizing the Grand River Dam Authority Board of Directors to

confer on:

a. coal or gas fuel supply and transportation contracts,

b. power purchase agreements, and

c. security plans and procedures in its role as an

electric utility regulated by the federal government;

and

3. Title 61 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

4. The Information Technology Consolidation and Coordination

Act;

5. The State Travel Reimbursement Act; and

6. The Surplus Property Act; provided that, the district may,

on a transactional basis, elect to make itself subject to the

requirements of the Surplus Property Act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.16 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.16
Savings clause
Status: in_force

If any water distribution systems or districts or county water

improvement districts have ever been formed, any easements or

property are transferred to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for

release of easements. All districts heretofore formed pursuant to

the provisions of Sections 281 through 447, inclusive, in Title 82

of the Oklahoma Statutes, shall have the right to continue to

operate pursuant to said statutes. The property and easements of

those districts heretofore formed pursuant to said laws, but which

are inactive, are hereby transferred to the board of county

commissioners of the county wherein such easements or property are

located; and, the board of county commissioners of said county shall

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 220

have the right to maintain or release said easements or dispose of

said property as provided by law.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-896.14 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-896.14
Authority to provide funds for the Scenic Rivers Act
Status: in_force

Each county, city, incorporated town or other governmental

entity which contains all or part of a scenic river within its

jurisdictional boundaries is hereby authorized to grant or otherwise

provide funds for the operation and administration of the Scenic

Rivers Act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1324.14 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1324.14
Notice of filing of annexation petition
Status: in_force

Notice shall be given, as provided in Section 5, of the filing

of a petition for annexation fixing the time and place of hearing.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-576 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-576
Cooperation with federal government or other agencies -
Status: in_force

Outlets in other states.

The board of directors shall also have the right and authority

to enter into contracts or other arrangements with the United States

Government or any department thereof, with persons, railroad or

other corporations, with public corporations, cities and towns, and

the state government of this or other states with drainage

conservation, conservancy, or other improvement districts, in this

or other states, for cooperation or assistance in constructing,

maintaining, using and operating the works of the district or the

waters thereof, not in violation of Article VI of the Constitution

or for making surveys and investigations or reports; and may

purchase, lease or otherwise acquire land or other property in

adjoining states in order to secure outlets or spend money for

securing such outlets or reservoirs or other works in adjoining

states, and the Governor of the State of Oklahoma is hereby

authorized to assist any conservancy district in negotiating any

agreements with other states and the United States, under the power

conferred upon him by Section 8 of Article VI of the Constitution of

Oklahoma. That the streams constituting boundaries between this and

other states for more than one hundred (100) miles shall not be

organized within the conservancy districts until the state

governments of this and other states affected shall have executed

agreements as to equitable division of costs and benefits between

the areas with different states affected by the agreement.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1142 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1142
Tri-State Commission on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River
Status: in_force

Navigation System (MKARNS) – Creation - Duties.

A. There is hereby created the Tri-State Commission on the

McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS). It is

anticipated that the State of Arkansas and the State of Kansas will

enact legislation in order to complete the formation of the

Commission.

B. The Oklahoma membership of the Tri-State Commission shall be

as follows:

1. One member appointed by the Governor who shall be a member

of the Water Advisory Board of the Department of Transportation;

2. Three members of the House of Representatives whose

legislative districts encompass some part of the territory in which

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 298

the MKARNS is located to be formally selected by the Speaker of the

House of Representatives; provided, whenever possible, no more than

two members shall be appointed from the same political party;

3. Three members of the Senate whose legislative districts

encompass some part of the territory in which the MKARNS is located

to be formally selected by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;

provided, whenever possible, no more than two members shall be

appointed from the same political party;

4. One member from each of the three Native American tribes

that has ownership interest in the Arkansas riverbed;

5. One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of

Representatives who shall represent a statewide business

organization;

6. One member appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the

Senate who shall represent a statewide agricultural organization;

and

7. One member appointed by the Governor who shall represent a

public port along the MKARNS.

C. The Tri-State Commission shall have the following duties:

1. To identify the resources available at the federal and state

levels for the proper maintenance of the physical assets which allow

the MKARNS to fulfill its duties and responsibilities;

2. To identify methods for the repair, replacement or

maintenance of the infrastructure assets which are essential to the

operation of the MKARNS;

3. To prioritize the funding, whether from the federal

government, state government, tribal governments, private resources

or other financial resources, in order to adequately maintain the

MKARNS;

4. To take such actions as may be necessary to promote the

MKARNS and its continued role in the economies of the states of

Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas;

5. To take such actions as are conducive to the continued use

and enhanced use of the MKARNS by for-profit business enterprises in

order to reduce transportation costs, improve profit margins,

increase efficiency and related economic benefits;

6. To take such actions as are conducive to the continued vital

role of the MKARNS with respect to flood control in the three

affected states;

7. To take such actions as are conducive to the promotion of

the MKARNS for purposes of tourism and cultural preservation;

8. To take such other actions as may be necessary which in the

judgment of the Tri-State Commission would be beneficial for the

three affected states and for the MKARNS; and

9. To coordinate with any relevant federal or state agency or

any other entity to identify ways to improve the navigability of the

MKARNS.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 299Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 10
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-105.4 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-105.4
Diversion of water
Status: in_force

Water turned into any natural or artificial watercourse by any

party entitled to the use of such water may be reclaimed below and

diverted therefrom by such party, subject to existing rights, due

allowance for losses being made by the Board.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-669 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-669
Suits for or against district - Name - Service of process
Status: in_force

In all suits in any court for damages, condemnation or other

proceedings, whether brought for or against such conservancy

district, the same shall be brought in the name of the conservancy

district as fixed and established by the decree of incorporation,

and shall be under the direction of its board of directors and in

all suits against such conservancy district service of summons shall

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 127

be issued and served upon the president of the board of directors;

or, if the president of said board of directors is not found in the

county, then upon a member of the board of directors of said

district, or if none of the aforesaid directors can be found, then

by serving the secretary or treasurer and by leaving a copy thereof

at the principal office or usual place of business of said district,

with the person having charge thereof.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-673 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-673
Owners liable for damage to district - Repairs
Status: in_force

All persons and corporations shall be liable for damage done to

works of the district by themselves, their agents, their employees,

or by their livestock. All persons guilty of willful damage shall

be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall on conviction be fined not to

exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), and costs, and shall be

liable for all damages and costs. The board of directors shall have

authority to repair such damage at the expense of the person or

corporation committing it.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-636.1 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-636.1
Authority to contract indebtedness
Status: in_force

The board of directors of any Conservancy District or Master

Conservancy District, notwithstanding any other provision of the

Conservancy Act of Oklahoma, and in addition to all other powers

conferred by law, may borrow money and otherwise contract

indebtedness for the purposes set forth in the Conservancy Act of

Oklahoma, and, without limitation of the generality of the

foregoing, to borrow money and accept grants from the United States

of America, or from any corporation or agency created or designated

by the United States of America, and, in connection with such loan

or grant, to enter into such agreements as the United States of

America or such corporation or agency may require; and to issue its

bonds, notes or obligations therefor, and to secure the payment

thereof by mortgage, pledge or deed of trust on all or any property,

assets, franchises, rights, privileges, licenses, rights-of-way,

easements, revenues, or income of the District. The bonds, notes or

obligations issued pursuant to this section shall not be secured or

retired by any assessment of real property located within the

District nor shall they be deemed a general obligation of the State

of Oklahoma, any municipality or the District.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-896.4 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-896.4
Short title
Status: in_force

Sections 7 through 19 of this act shall be known and may be

cited as the "Scenic Rivers Act".
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1020.13 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1020.13
Surrender of permits
Status: in_force

The Board may accept the surrender of ground water permits by

the holder thereof pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the

Board.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1501-901 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1501-901
Salary increases
Status: in_force

A. Effective July 1, 1997, the annual salary of employees of

the Conservation Districts, payable monthly, shall be Four Hundred

Fifty Dollars ($450.00) greater than the annual salary, payable

monthly, paid during the 1997 fiscal year.

B. Effective July 1, 1998, the annual salary of employees of

the Conservation Districts, payable monthly, shall be Four Hundred

Fifty Dollars ($450.00) greater than the annual salary, payable

monthly, paid during the 1998 fiscal year.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-663 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-663
Union of districts - Petition - Notice - Order
Status: in_force

In case two or more districts have been organized under this act

in a territory which, in the opinion of the directors of either of

the districts, should constitute but one district, the board of

directors of any one of the districts may petition the court uniting

said districts into a single district. Said petition shall be filed

in the office of the court clerk of that county which has the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 120

greatest valuations of real property, within the districts sought to

be included, as shown by the tax duplicates of the respective

counties. Said petition shall set forth the necessity for such

union of the two or more districts and that the union of said

districts would be conducive to the public health, convenience,

safety or welfare, and to the economical execution of the purpose

for which the districts were organized. Upon receipt of said

petition the court clerk shall give notice by publication or by

personal service, to the board of directors of the district or

districts which it is desired to unite with the district of the

petitioners. Such notice shall contain the time and place where the

hearing on the petition will be had and the purpose of the same.

Such hearing shall be had in accordance with the provisions of this

act in original hearing. After the hearing, should the court find

that the averments of the petition are true and that the said

districts, or any of them, should be united it shall so order, and

thereafter proceed as such. The court shall designate the corporate

name of such, as provided for in this act. The court shall direct

in such order who shall be the directors of such united district who

shall thereafter have powers and be subject to such regulations as

are provided for directors in districts created in the first

instance. All legal proceedings already instituted by or against any

of such constituent districts may be revived and continued against

such united districts by an order of court substituting the name of

such united district for such constituent district and such

proceedings shall then proceed as herein provided.

Instead of organizing a new district from such constituent

districts the court may, in its discretion, direct that one or more

of such districts described in the petition be included into another

of said districts, which order shall continue under its original

corporate name and organization, or it may direct that the district

or districts so absorbed shall be represented on the board of

directors of the original district, designating what members of the

board of directors of the original district shall be retired from

the new board and what members take their places; or it may direct

that the included districts or districts shall become subdistricts

of the main district. In case the districts sought to be united

were organized in different judicial districts, then the court, to

determine the question involved, shall consist of one judge from

each of the judicial districts and a majority shall be necessary to

render a decision. From such a decision, or from a failure to

decide, any interested property owner may appeal, as herein

provided. No action under the provisions of this section shall

operate to interrupt or delay any proceeding under this Act until

the questions involved are finally determined.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1451 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1451
Renumbered as § 896.4 of this title by Laws 2016, c. 297,
Status: in_force

§ 24, eff. July 1, 2016.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1617 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1617
New or improved structures, fills, excavations or other
Status: in_force

uses prohibited without written authorization - Violations.

A. No new development or substantial improvement to a

structure, or new fill, excavation or other floodplain use shall be

allowed without securing a development permit from the floodplain

board in which the area of jurisdiction includes the proposed

development, substantial improvement, fill, excavation or other

floodplain use.

B. Any person convicted of violating the applicable floodplain

management regulations or rules shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 400
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-896.13 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-896.13
Powers of cities, incorporated towns and counties
Status: in_force

A. All cities and incorporated towns and counties that contain

all or part of a scenic river within the jurisdictional boundaries

of the city, town or county are hereby invested with full power to

plan, zone and enact all ordinances and regulations that are

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 177

necessary and proper to carry out the purposes of the Scenic Rivers

Act.

B. The cities, incorporated towns and counties shall follow

their respective general procedures in the conduct of legislative

functions.

C. In exercising planning and zoning functions, said cities,

incorporated towns and counties shall utilize the organization and

procedures available to cities and incorporated towns under the

general planning and zoning laws of the state. Provided that, when

a county exercises the powers provided by the Scenic Rivers Act, the

board of county commissioners of that county shall perform the

obligations and exercise the powers in the same manner as a local

legislative body or mayor of a city, incorporated town or

municipality.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.21 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.21
Agreements with federal agencies - Cost of
Status: in_force

reimbursement.

Whenever any project or plan for the construction or enlargement

of any dam, reservoir or other structure includes within its design

and specifications provisions for the development of water supplies

for domestic, municipal, agricultural, industrial and other purposes

the Commission is hereby directed to negotiate with the

municipalities or other local interests of this state and its

agencies and the federal government or its responsible agency,

department or instrumentality for the purpose of determining the

cost of reimbursing the federal government for the allocated cost of

including such municipal, agricultural and industrial water storage

within such construction. Any available storage for such purposes

which cannot reasonably be used within the present or estimated

future firm demands of local users may be contracted for by the

Commission in order to assure the federal government that such added

cost will be provided as authorized by federal law, and that

necessary funds for any charges shall be paid by the Commission to

the federal government pursuant to such contract and applicable

federal law after examination and determination by the Oklahoma

Water Resources Board that such charges are in harmony with existing

federal law and policy at the time that the projects are built and

the contracts between the Commission and the federal government are

executed. In cases where all necessary costs to provide maximum

conservation storage in a site cannot be contracted for between the

federal government and the Commission because of limitations on the

participation by the federal government, the Commission shall have

the authority to provide funds covering those costs.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.62 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.62
Establishment of criteria for determination of
Status: in_force

interest rates on loans - Annual report.

In order to comply with the requirements of federal and state

laws, the Board shall complete the following:

1. Establish criteria for determining the interest rates on

loans to be made from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan

Account. Such criteria may incorporate applicable United States

Environmental Protection Agency and Rural Development Administration

guidelines for financial assistance.

a. In determining interest rates on loans made from the

fund, in addition to other information, due

consideration shall be given to:

(1) providing for the maintenance of the account in

perpetuity,

(2) statewide needs for the assistance available

pursuant to the provisions of this act,

(3) five-year demand projections of the Board for

assistance available pursuant to the provisions

of this act,

(4) prevailing market interest rates, and

(5) debt service requirements of investment

certificates issued by the Board to provide funds

for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan

Account.

b. In developing criteria for the determination of

interest rates available to individual entities, in

addition to other information, due consideration shall

be given to:

(1) financial resources of the entity,

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 249

(2) the ability of the entity to repay the loan,

(3) those entities that discharge into those streams

and rivers designated as scenic river areas

pursuant to the provisions of Section 1452 of

this title or outstanding resource waters under

Oklahoma's Water Quality Standards, and

(4) prevailing market interest rates; and

2. Submission of an annual report by the Board to the Governor

and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President

Pro Tempore of the Senate within one hundred twenty (120) days of

the end of each fiscal year concerning the Clean Water State

Revolving Fund Loan Account and implementation of the provisions of

Sections 1085.51 through 1085.65 of this title. The report shall

contain information to show the actual use and the recipients of

loans made from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan Account.

In addition, the report shall contain five-year demand projections

on anticipated loan funds required and ten-year and twenty-year

projections as to possible funding needs for water quality projects

which may be eligible for financial assistance under Sections

1085.51 through 1085.65 of this title.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-110.6 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-110.6
Effect of act on liability of dam owners
Status: in_force

Nothing in this act shall relieve an owner of a dam from any

liability related to the construction and maintenance of such dam.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.81 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.81
Default in payments
Status: in_force

In the event of a default in payment of the principal or

interest on loans made from the Drinking Water Treatment Revolving

Loan Account pursuant to this act, the Attorney General is empowered

and it shall be his or her duty to take action to collect amounts

due to the account. The Attorney General shall institute

appropriate proceedings by mandamus or other legal remedies to

compel the defaulting party and its officers, agents, and employees

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 258

to cure the default by appropriate means, including performing

duties that they are legally obligated to perform. Those

proceedings shall be brought and venue shall be in the district

court of Oklahoma County.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-603 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-603
Lands outside district, appraisement of - Bringing in
Status: in_force

additional owners.

If the appraisers find that lands or other property not embraced

within the boundaries of the district will be necessary for or

affected by, the proposed improvement, or should be included in the

district, they shall appraise the benefits and damages to such land

and shall file notice, in the court of the appraisal which they have

made upon the lands beyond the boundaries of the district, and to

land which in their opinion should be included in the district. The

appraisers shall report to the court any lands which in their

opinion should be eliminated from the district.

Provided, that the court in determining the properties benefited

by the proposed project or projects and in assessing the benefits

derived therefrom, and in the matter of assessments for the

construction and maintenance thereof shall upon proper petition and

showing, cause to be brought in and made parties to the action all

property owners found to be benefited throughout the course of the

stream below the points of diversion of water, or to the crossing of

the state line by any such stream, whether such property be

originally included in the petition or not, such action to be taken

by the court after service of summons as required in civil actions

upon such property owners of record.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1466 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1466
Renumbered as § 896.14 of this title by Laws 2016, c
Status: in_force

297, § 34, eff. July 1, 2016.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-110.8 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-110.8
Notice of completion of construction - Certification
Status: in_force

A. Certificates of completion of works from the Oklahoma Water

Resources Board shall be required before any water may be impounded

by a new dam or before water may be impounded at an elevation higher

than that previously authorized by the Board at an existing dam

which has been modified. Said certificate shall contain the date of

approval of plans and specifications for the dam, date construction

was completed on said dam, and any other conditions as may be

required by the Board.

B. The owner must give notice of completion of construction of

the new dam or of modifications to an existing dam to the Board, and

the Board shall inspect such dam before issuing a certificate of

completion.

C. The Board may modify, revoke or amend any said certificate

as necessary to assure the safety of the dam.

D. Fees for the inspections and for the issuance of

certificates required by this section shall be set forth in rules

promulgated by the Board.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.54 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.54
Uses of funds
Status: in_force

A. All funds available in the Clean Water State Revolving Fund

Loan Account shall first be used to assure maintenance of progress

towards compliance with enforceable deadlines, goals, and

requirements of the Oklahoma Environmental Quality Code, Oklahoma's

Water Quality Standards, and Federal Clean Water Act, including

urban storm water activities and wastewater treatment plant

projects.

B. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board shall use the Clean Water

State Revolving Fund Loan Account only as provided by the federal

Water Quality Act of 1987 for the following purposes:

1. To make a loan to an eligible entity if:

a. the loan application, project and planning documents

have been approved by the Board pursuant to Section

1085.58 of this title or the Oklahoma Conservation

Commission pursuant to Section 1085.65 of this title,

b. the loan is made at or below market interest rates,

including interest-free loans, at terms consistent

with the federal Water Quality Act of 1987,

c. principal and interest payments will begin not later

than one year after completion of any water quality

project and all loans will be fully amortized

consistent with the federal Water Quality Act of 1987,

d. the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan Account will

be credited with all payments of principal of and

interest on all loans,

e. the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the

Board the financial capability to assure sufficient

revenues to pay debt service,

f. the recipient of the loan establishes a dedicated

source of revenue for payment of debt service for the

loan, and

g. the recipient agrees to maintain financial records in

accordance with governmental accounting standards, to

conduct an annual audit of the financial records

relating to the water quality project, and to submit

the audit report to the Board on a scheduled annual

basis;

2. To buy or refinance eligible entity obligations at or below

market rates if the eligible entity obligations were incurred in

construction which began after March 7, 1985;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 243

3. To guarantee or purchase insurance for eligible entities if

the guarantee or insurance would improve access to market credit or

reduce interest rates;

4. As a source of revenue or security for the payment of

principal of and interest on any investment certificate issued by

the Board. The proceeds of the sale of such investment certificates

shall be deposited in the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan

Account in compliance with applicable bond resolutions or indentures

authorizing the sale;

5. To provide loan guarantees to similar revolving loan

accounts or funds established by eligible entities;

6. To earn interest on accounts established under the Clean

Water State Revolving Fund Loan Account;

7. To administer the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan

Account pursuant to the provisions of this act. All funds to be

utilized for administrative costs from the Clean Water State

Revolving Fund Loan Account shall be subject to annual designation

by the State Legislature; and

8. For such other purpose or in such other manner, as is

determined by the Board to be an appropriate use of the Clean Water

State Revolving Fund Loan Account pursuant to the Clean Water State

Revolving Fund Program and which has been specifically approved or

otherwise authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency pursuant

to the federal Water Quality Act of 1987.

C. An eligible entity may use the loan fund money on nonpoint

source pollution reduction if, based upon the needs of the eligible

entity, the reduction of nonpoint source pollution would enhance the

water quality project. The funds received by the eligible entity

may be used for the implementation of the nonpoint source management

program pursuant to Section 1085.65 of this title.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1105 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1105
Area of jurisdiction
Status: in_force

The area of jurisdiction of a port authority created in

accordance with Section 2 of this act shall include all of the

territory of the political subdivision or subdivisions creating it,

together with any other property outside of said subdivision or

subdivisions conveyed to it, or over which it exercises control

pursuant to Section 6(a) of this act, or pursuant to the right of

eminent domain set forth in Section 6(e) of this act, provided that

in no case shall the same area be included in more than one port

authority, but the jurisdiction of the port authority first

attaching shall be exclusive unless the first attaching shall cede

or convey to another.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1282 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1282
Joining and withdrawing from district - Consent to
Status: in_force

provide certain services - Purchase of certain facilities.

A. Once a district has been organized under this act, any one

or more public agencies not joining in the original organization

agreement may subsequently join the district by becoming a signatory

to the interlocal agreement. A public agency, by act of its

governing body, may withdraw from a district after it is organized;

however, such withdrawal shall not impair the rights of the district

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 309

or other person in any contract, pledge of revenues or other

financial obligation to which the public agency is a party. Such

withdrawal may only be permitted by the board if rights of the

district, other public agency members and holders of any

obligations, contractual or otherwise, can be adequately protected

by the authority or any settlement agreed upon with the withdrawing

public agency.

B. A district may not provide water, sewage or any other

services to an existing public agency or to persons within the

geographic boundaries of an existing public agency which provides

water or sewage services without the consent of the public agency,

which consent shall be given by action of its governing body. In

case of annexation of district territory by a municipality which is

not a member of the district, the municipality may purchase at the

appraised value the district's water and sewage facilities except

those facilities necessary for the operation of the remainder of the

district.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-568 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-568
Protection, reclamation or irrigation of lands - Petition
Status: in_force

and notice of action.

A. In order to effect the protection, reclamation or irrigation

of the land and other property in the district, the board of

directors is authorized and empowered to:

1. Clean out, straighten, widen, alter, deepen or change the

course or terminus of any ditch, drain, sewer, river, water course,

pond, lake, creek or natural stream in or out of the district;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 89

2. Fill up any abandoned or altered ditch, drain, sewer, river,

watercourse, pond, lake, creek or natural stream;

3. Concentrate, divert or divide the flow of water in or out of

the district;

4. Construct and maintain main and lateral ditches, sewers,

canals, levees, dikes, dams, retardation dams, irrigation dams,

sluices, revetments, reservoirs, holding basins, floodways, pumping

stations and siphons and any other works and improvements deemed

necessary to construct, preserve, operate or maintain the works in

or out of the district;

5. Construct or enlarge or cause to be constructed or enlarged

any and all bridges that may be needed in or out of the district;

6. Construct or elevate roadways and streets;

7. Construct any and all works and improvements across, through

or over any public highway, canal, railroad right-of-way, track,

grade, fill or cut, in or out of the district;

8. Remove or change the location of any fence, building,

railroad, canal or other improvements in or out of the district; and

9. Hold, encumber, control, acquire by donation, purchase or

condemnation, construct, own, lease, use and sell real and personal

property, and acquire, construct, own, lease, use or sell any

easement, riparian right, railroad right-of-way, canal, cemetery,

sluice, reservoir, holding basin, mill dam, water power, wharf,

holding basin or franchise in or out of the district for right-of-

way, or for any necessary purpose, or acquire, own, lease, use and

sell any real estate for material to be used in constructing and

maintaining said works and improvement, replat or subdivide land,

open new roads, streets and alleys, or change the course of any

existing one.

B. All engineering, planning, design and execution, the

operations of the district, and the construction, operation, and

maintenance of infrastructure to serve the purpose for which the

district was established, or to serve any purposes as may have been

amended from time to time as provided for in this act, may be

implemented at the discretion of the board of directors under the

administration of the district manager. Except for engineering,

operations, and the construction, operation and maintenance of

infrastructure to implement its approved purposes, the board of

directors shall not exercise any of the powers specified in this

section without first filing in the court having jurisdiction a full

and complete petition stating in detail the acts intended to be

done. Upon the filing of the petition, a notice shall be published

in the county or counties in the district, as hereinbefore provided,

setting forth the nature of the relief prayed for, which notice

shall be published for not less than thirty (30) days, and shall

specify a date on which the petition will be heard by the court. In

the event a protest is filed, the court shall hear all parties

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 90

interested and make its decree. The court shall base its decision

on the petition, granting the relief sought in whole or in part, or

denying the relief prayed for, upon whether the proposed action of

the district lies within the scope of its authority pursuant to this

act and the agreements and decrees establishing the district and

governing its operation. The decree may be appealed to the Supreme

Court of the State of Oklahoma, as is provided in the statutes

relating to civil procedure.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1134 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1134
Trustees - Oath of office - Fidelity bond
Status: in_force

Any trustee, as provided herein, first shall take the oath of

office required of an elected public officer and shall be under a

good and sufficient fidelity bond, to be approved by the Attorney

General, in a surety company authorized to transact surety business

in the State of Oklahoma. The cost of said bond shall be paid from

funds of the revenue bonds. The oaths of office shall be

administered by any person authorized to administer oaths in the

State of Oklahoma.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1126 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1126
Bonds as special obligation of port authority concerned
Status: in_force

No provision of this act shall be construed to authorize the

pledge or use of any appropriated funds of the State of Oklahoma, or

any ad valorem tax revenues or any other tax revenues, for the

payment or security of any bonds issued pursuant to this act. No

bonds issued under provisions of this act shall ever become a debt

or obligation of the State of Oklahoma, nor shall the faith and

credit of the State of Oklahoma be pledged in whole or in part,

directly or indirectly, for the payment of such bonds, or interest

thereon. Bonds issued under this act shall not be an indebtedness

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 292

of any county or counties, or any municipal corporation or municipal

corporations, which shall have created or joined in the formation of

the port authority issuing the same. All bonds issued pursuant to

this act shall be special obligations of the port authority

concerned, payable solely from the revenues of the buildings and

facilities referred to therein. Such bonds shall contain on the

face thereof a statement to the effect that neither the state, nor

any county or municipal corporation concerned shall be obligated to

pay the same, or the interest thereon, except from revenues of such

facilities; and that neither the faith and credit nor the taxing

power of the state or any political subdivision thereof is pledged

or may hereafter be pledged to the payment of principal of or

interest on such bonds.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1324.5 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1324.5
Notice of filing and pendency of petition - Public
Status: in_force

hearing - Notice of hearing.

Whenever a petition as provided in the preceding section is

filed with the county clerk, he shall thereupon give notice to the

county commissioners of the filing and pendency of said petition,

whereupon, if the petition proposes the creation of a water

district, the county commissioners shall immediately determine from

the Oklahoma Water Resources Board whether or not there is water

available to adequately serve the proposed district, and the county

commissioners shall forthwith enter their order setting a public

hearing upon said petition for a day certain and directing the

county clerk to give notice of said hearing by legal publication for

two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper published in each county

containing lands embraced within the boundaries of the proposed

district. Said newspapers must have a general circulation in the

county of publication. Provided, however, if there is a county in

which there is no newspaper of general circulation published, notice

of such hearing shall be given by posting in five public places

within said county, one of which shall be the county courthouse.

Such notice shall contain: a brief and concise statement describing

the purpose of such hearing; a description of the territory to be

embraced within said district; a notice to all persons residing or

owning property and incorporated municipalities within the proposed

district that they may appear upon the date and at the time and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 319

place of said hearing to show cause, if any there be, why said

petition should not be granted; and a notice to all rural residents

of the proposed district that, if said district shall be ordered

created, an organizational meeting to elect a board of directors and

officers and to adopt bylaws will be held immediately following the

entry of the order creating said district. In addition, the county

clerk shall, at least ten (10) days before the date fixed for said

hearing, give or send by registered or certified mail notice thereof

to each of the petitioners.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1606 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1606
Establishment and delineation of floodplains and one-
Status: in_force

hundred-year flood elevations for Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Water Resources Board shall coordinate with

floodplain boards in the use of flood insurance rate maps and flood

hazard boundary maps for the establishment and delineation of the

floodplains and the one-hundred-year flood elevations for Oklahoma.

The Board may also continue to assign a staff member to be the State

Floodplain Coordinator that assists other state agencies, boards of

county commissioners, governing bodies of municipalities, floodplain

boards and floodplain administrators in coordinating with the

Federal Emergency Management Agency in matters relating to the

program.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1620 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1620
Floodplain administrators
Status: in_force

A. Each floodplain board shall designate a person to serve as

the floodplain administrator to administer and implement floodplain

regulations.

B. Each floodplain administrator shall be accredited by the

Oklahoma Water Resources Board.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1324.49 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1324.49
Authority to enjoin violations and enforce compliance
Status: in_force

Whenever it shall appear to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board,

the Attorney General or a district or corporation which reasonably

believes itself to be the object of an offer or attempt to obtain

control as described in Section 6 of this act, that any person is

engaged or about to engage in any acts or practices which constitute

or will constitute a violation of the provisions of this act, or of

any rule, or order thereunder, the Board, the Attorney General or

the district or corporation may bring an action in the district

court in and for Oklahoma County, State of Oklahoma, to enjoin such

acts or practices and to enforce compliance with this act or any

rule, order or temporary or permanent injunction shall be granted

without bond. The Board, the Attorney General and the district or

corporation shall transmit such evidence as may be available

concerning such acts or practices or concerning apparent violations

of this act to the district attorney for Oklahoma County, who, in

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 344

his or her discretion, may institute appropriate criminal

proceedings.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1601 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1601
Short title
Status: in_force

Chapter 23 of this title shall be known and may be cited as the

Oklahoma Floodplain Management Act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-867 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-867
Officers and employees to have no interest in contracts -
Status: in_force

Fine.

No director, officer, agent, or employee of the district shall

be directly or indirectly interested in any contract for the

purchase of any property or construction of any work by or for the

district, and if any such person shall be or become so interested in

any such contract, he shall be guilty of a Class C2 felony offense

and, on conviction thereof, shall be subject to a fine in an amount

not exceeding Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or to confinement

as provided for in subsections B through F of Section 20M of Title

21 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or both.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.27 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.27
Legal services
Status: in_force

All legal services required by the Commission shall be performed

by the Attorney General and his staff, or by the attorney for the

Commission.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-638 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-638
Petition for readjustment of maintenance assessment -
Status: in_force

Notice and hearing.

Whenever the owners, or representatives of twenty-five percent

(25%) or more of the acreage or value of the lands in the district

shall file a petition with the court clerk in whose office the

petition was filed, stating that there has been a material change in

the value of the property in the district since the last previous

appraisal of benefits, and praying for a readjustment of the

appraisal of benefits for the purpose of making equitable basis for

the levy of the maintenance assessment, the said clerk shall give

notice of the filing and hearing of said petition in the manner

hereinbefore provided.

Upon hearing said petition if said court shall find there has

been a material change in the value of property in said district

since the last previous appraisal of benefits, the court shall order

that there be a readjustment of the appraisal benefits for the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 113

purpose of providing a basis upon which to levy the maintenance

assessment of said district. Thereupon the court shall direct the

appraisers of the conservancy district to make such readjustment of

appraisal in the manner provided in this act, and said appraisers

shall make their report; and the same proceedings shall be had

thereon, as nearly as may be, as are herein provided for the

appraisal of benefits accruing for original construction. Provided,

that in making the readjustment of the appraisal of benefits said

appraisals shall not be limited to the aggregate amount of the

original or any previous appraisal benefits, and that after the

making of such readjustment of limitations of such annual

maintenance assessment to one percent (1%) of the total appraised

benefits shall apply to the amount of the benefits as readjusted;

and provided, further, that there shall be no such readjustment of

benefits oftener than once in ten (10) years.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-609 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-609
Appeal from award
Status: in_force

Any person, or public or private corporation desiring to appeal

from an award as to compensation or damages or benefits, shall

within thirty (30) days from the judgment of the court confirming

the report of appraisers, file with the clerk of the court a written

notice of appeal and proceed with his appeal as provided by law in

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 101

civil cases, taking up only so much of the record as presents the

error complained of.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.7A — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.7A
Community Water Infrastructure Development Revolving
Status: in_force

Fund

A. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving

fund for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to be designated the

"Community Water Infrastructure Development Revolving Fund".

B. The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal

year limitations, and shall consist of all monies received by the

Oklahoma Water Resources Board from the apportionment of gross

production tax revenues as prescribed by Section 1004 of Title 68 of

the Oklahoma Statutes.

C. All monies accruing to the credit of said fund are hereby

appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the Oklahoma Water

Resources Board for the purpose of establishing and maintaining

critical water infrastructure in all areas of the state, including

projects to implement the recommendations of the Oklahoma

Comprehensive Water Plan.

D. Expenditures from said fund shall be made upon warrants

issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by

law with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise

Services for approval and payment.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-277.21 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-277.21
Conflict of interest
Status: in_force

A. Except for contracts of employment, directors and employees

shall not be interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract

entered into by the district unless the district court of the county

wherein the principal office of the district is located considers

the contract, the interest of such persons therein and approves the

execution thereof.

B. Directors and employees shall not:

1. Directly or indirectly accept or request any compensation,

gift, loan, entertainment, favor, or service given for the purpose

of influencing such director and employee in the discharge of his

official duties;

2. Directly or indirectly spend district funds or permit any

property of the district to be used for political campaigns;

3. Engage in political campaigns in the name of the district;

4. Disclose confidential information acquired by reason of

their official positions to any person, group, or others not

entitled to receive such confidential information; or

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 55

5. Use confidential information acquired by reason of their

official position for their personal gain or benefit.

C. A director shall immediately forfeit his office in the event

he sues the district for any action, directly or indirectly, related

to the operation of the district.

D. The failure of a director or employee to comply with these

prohibitions shall constitute a willful neglect of duty and shall be

grounds for removal from office.

E. Every person who knowingly and willfully violates this

section shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor, and

shall be punished by the imposition of a fine of not more than One

Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by confinement in the county jail

for not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and

imprisonment.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-606 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-606
Notice of hearings on appraisals
Status: in_force

Upon the filing of the report of the appraisers, the clerk of

the court shall give notice thereof, as provided in this act, in

each county wherein appraisals of lands reflect benefits thereto.

Said notice shall be in the name of the state, directed by name to

every person returned by the appraisers as the owner of any lot or

parcel of lands affected by the proposed improvement, or of any

interest therein, and also generally to all other persons, without

mentioning their names, who may own such land or any part thereof or

may interest therein notifying them of the filing of the report of

the appraisers and that on the day fixed in the notice the court

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 99

will hear said report and any objections that may be filed thereto

and any evidence that may be adduced concerning the same, and

requiring the persons so informed, and each of them, on the day

fixed for hearing, to appear before the court and show cause, if any

they have, why said report should not be confirmed as made or as the

court may amend the same, and the improvements and assessments made

as therein described or as the report may be amended. Such notice

shall contain in appropriate columns, a tabulated description which

may be abbreviated as land descriptions usually are abbreviated, of

every lot or parcel of land that will be benefited by the proposed

improvements, and shall be published as herein provided, the last

insertion to be before the day set for the hearing. Where lands in

different counties are mentioned in said report, it shall not be

necessary to publish a description of all lands in the district in

each county, but only of that part of the said lands situate in the

county in which publication is made. The day for the hearing on the

report of the appraisers, so set, shall not be less than thirty (30)

days nor more than sixty (60) days from the first publication of the

notice. Provided, that the court shall sit for hearing on appraisals

under this section in each of the counties where the lands affected

be situated.

If the appraisers have prepared an appraisal of damages at the

direction of the court, said notice shall include the report of the

board of appraisers of their estimates of damages, if any, to be

sustained by each property owner as provided in Section 602(b) of

this title.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-649 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-649
Designation of fiscal year - Reports - Accounting
Status: in_force

The board of directors shall designate the fiscal year for the

district, which fiscal year shall not be changed except with

approval of the district court.

Annually, or more often if the court shall order, and within

thirty (30) days of the ending of the fiscal year, the board of

directors shall make and file with the clerk of the court having

jurisdiction of the district, a report of its proceedings and an

accounting of the receipts and disbursements for such fiscal year,

using forms approved by the State Auditor and Inspector. Any

interested person may object to such report, in writing, within

sixty (60) days of the ending of the fiscal year. When objections

are filed, the Court may order the auditing of district accounts and

may order a hearing on such objections, and after giving such notice

as the court may direct.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-872 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-872
District to establish rules and regulations concerning
Status: in_force

labor and materials - Authority to request aid of United States

engineers.

The district may, but without intending by this provision to

limit any powers of the district as granted to it by this act, enter

into and carry out such contract, or establish or comply with such

rules and regulations concerning labor and materials and other

related matters in connection with any project or projects as the

District may deem desirable or as may be requested by the United

States of America, or any corporation or agency created, designated

or established thereby, which may assist in the financing of any

such project or projects. The district shall have the authority to

request engineering aid of the Corps of Engineers of the United

States Army, the Federal Power Commission, or any other federal

agency, in the designing and construction of any project authorized

under the terms of this act and to use such aid, if and when

offered, and to pay any reasonable cost therefor.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-615 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-615
Subsequent appraisals - Procedure
Status: in_force

In case any real property within or without any district is

benefited which for any reason was not appraised in the original

proceedings, or was not appraised to the extent of benefits

received, or in case any individual, corporation, municipality,

political subdivision or other district shall make use of or profit

by the works of any district organized under the act to a degree not

compensated for in the original appraisals or in case the directors

of the district find it necessary, subsequent to the time when the

first appraisals are made to take or damage any additional property

within the district, the directors of said district, at any time

such conditions become evident shall direct the board of appraisers

to appraise the benefits or the enhanced benefits received by such

property, including future benefits and future enhanced benefits

thereto, or such damages or value of property taken, and the

proceedings outlined in this act for appraising lands not at first

included within the boundaries of the district, shall in all matters

be conformed with, including notice to the party or parties, and as

to lands or property without the district, the board of directors

shall proceed under the condemnation laws of the State of Oklahoma,

or the board may, at its discretion, make any suitable settlement

with such individual, other district, corporation, county or

municipality for such use, benefit, damage or property taken.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-662 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-662
Jurisdiction of courts as to districts being organized in
Status: in_force

same territory.

In case any district or districts are being organized within or

partly within and partly without, the same territory in which some

other district or districts have been or are being organized, then

one district judge of each judicial district in which said

conservancy districts have been or are being organized shall confer

at the earliest convenient moment after they ascertain the

possibility of a conflict in jurisdiction, the sitting to be had in

the county having the largest assessed valuation in the proposed

district or districts.

At such conference the several judges shall determine to what

extent the several districts should be consolidated or to what

extent the boundaries should be adjusted in order to most fully

carry out the purposes of this act, and they shall by suitable

orders make such determination effective. In the event notices have

been issued or jurisdiction acquired in any proceedings concerning

territory which is transferred to the district court of another

county, such notice shall not become void and jurisdiction so

acquired shall not be lost, but in each case the court acquiring

jurisdiction over such transferred territory shall hold the same

without further notice, as if originally embraced in said district.

At such conferences the decision of the majority of the judges

shall be necessary for the determination of any matter, and from

such decision or from a failure to decide, appeal may be taken.

The provisions of this and the preceding section shall not

operate to delay or to interrupt any proceedings under this act

until the question of jurisdiction has been fully determined by the

court or courts.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1618 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1618
Application of act - Accreditation of administrators
Status: in_force

The provisions of the Oklahoma Floodplain Management Act shall

not apply to those counties, municipalities or other agencies which

are in compliance with federal floodplain regulations as of the date

of this act and were participating in the program prior to May 13,

1980. Beginning November 1, 2005, persons designated to administer

the floodplain requirements of the counties, municipalities or other

agencies exempt from the Oklahoma Floodplain Management Act pursuant

to this section shall be accredited by the Oklahoma Water Resources

Board in the same manner as the Board accredits floodplain

administrators.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1084.1 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1084.1
Waters of state - Public policy
Status: in_force

Whereas the pollution of the waters of this state constitutes a

menace to public health and welfare, creates public nuisances, is

harmful to wildlife, fish and aquatic life, and impairs domestic,

agricultural, industrial, recreational and other legitimate

beneficial uses of water, it is hereby declared to be the public

policy of this state to conserve and utilize the waters of the state

and to protect, maintain and improve the quality thereof for public

water supplies, for the propagation of wildlife, fish and aquatic

life and for domestic, agricultural, industrial, recreational and

other legitimate beneficial uses; and to cooperate with other

agencies of this state, agencies of other states and the federal

government in carrying out these objectives.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1286 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1286
Annual audit, report and meeting
Status: in_force

A. The board shall cause to be prepared by an independent

certified accountant an annual certified audit of the funds, assets,

books and records of the district. The audit shall be completed and

filed after the close of each fiscal year of the district. A copy

of the audit shall be filed with the State Auditor and Inspector,

the district and with each of the public agency members of the

district within nine (9) months after the close of the district's

fiscal year. The audit shall be conducted in conformance with

applicable generally accepted auditing standards.

B. The board shall also cause to be prepared an annual report

on the activities of the district to be filed, at the same time as

the district's audit is filed, with each of the public agency

members of the district. A copy of the annual report shall also be

filed with the State Board and the State Department of Health.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 315

C. The board shall call an annual meeting for representatives

of each of the member public agencies for the purpose of reviewing

the audit and annual report prepared in accordance with this

section. At least twenty (20) days' notice shall be given to the

clerk or secretary of each member public agency prior to the date of

the meeting.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-544 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-544
Notice of hearing on petition
Status: in_force

Immediately after the filing of such petition, the clerk of the

district court, with whom such petition is filed, or to whom it has

been assigned, shall cause notice by publication, to be made of the

pendency of the petition and of the time and place of the hearing

thereon, and said notice as provided herein shall be given in each

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 79

county affected by the district, and the time of hearing shall be

not less than sixty (60) days from the date of the first

publication. Said notice shall also include a map of the proposed

district. Provided, that for any district created prior to the

passage of this act in which notice of hearing petition was

published in only one newspaper in a county affected by the

district, such notice shall be deemed sufficient. The district

court in which the petition was filed, or to whom it was assigned,

shall thereafter, for all purposes of this act, except as

hereinafter otherwise provided, maintain and have original and

exclusive jurisdiction coextensive with the boundaries and limits of

said district, and of lands and other property to be included in

said district, or affected by said district, without regard to the

usual or other limits of its jurisdiction and shall convene at the

convenient county seat.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1086.5 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1086.5
Existing rights unimpaired
Status: in_force

Sections 1086.1 through 1086.6 of this title shall not be

construed or applied to deprive or impair the existing rights of

citizens, municipalities or other water-user entities with respect

to stream water appropriations now or hereafter granted by the Water

Resources Board, or applications for same, or storage rights

exercised in connection therewith, nor priorities established

thereby as provided by law, nor impair or adversely affect in any

manner any applications for stream water appropriation now or

hereafter pending.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 267
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1324.4 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1324.4
Petition for incorporation of petition - Contents
Status: in_force

Any two or more owners of lands may file with the county clerk a

petition addressed to the board of county commissioners praying for

the incorporation of a district under the provisions of this act.

The petition shall give a legal description of the lands owned by

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 318

the petitioners and other lands which the petitioners propose to be

incorporated into the proposed district and shall state:

1. That the rural residents within such territory are without

an adequate water supply, sewage facilities, gas distribution

facilities or solid waste management system to meet their needs;

2. That the construction, installation, improvement,

maintenance and operation of all or any combination of water works,

sewage facilities, gas distribution facilities and solid waste

management systems are necessary to provide an adequate water

supply, sewage facilities, gas distribution facilities or solid

waste management system to serve rural residents of the district;

3. That such improvements or works will be conducive to and

will promote the public health, convenience and welfare; and

4. That there is sufficient water available for purchase or

available for appropriation by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to

serve the needs of the district. Attached to said petition shall be

an accurate map or plat of the proposed territory to be embraced

within the district showing the location of said territory by

reference to sections or portions thereof and the township and range

wherein the same are located.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1324.12 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1324.12
Benefit units
Status: in_force

Plans, specifications, proposed operating budget, schedules of

unit fees and benefit units, rules and regulations, estimates of

cost for any proposed improvement authorized by this act shall be

filed with the secretary of the district. The total benefits of any

such improvement shall be divided into a suitable number of benefit

units. Upon determining a schedule of benefit units and unit fees,

the board of directors shall cause a declaration of availability of

such units for subscription to be entered in its minutes and except

for residents of cities and towns as provided in paragraph 5 of

Section 1324.2 of this title any individual who fails to become a

participating member within thirty (30) days thereafter shall not be

eligible to hold office as a director, nor shall any individual,

firm, partnership, association, or corporation which fails to become

a participating member within ninety (90) days after such

declaration be qualified to participate at any meeting or vote at

any election held thereafter unless such individual, firm,

partnership, association, or corporation shall thereafter become a

participating member. Each landowner within the district shall

subscribe to a number of such units in proportion to the extent he

desires to participate in the benefits of the improvements. As long

as the capacity of the district's facilities permits, participating

members of the district may subscribe to additional units upon

payment of a unit fee for each such unit. Owners or tenants of land

located within the district who are not participating members may

subscribe to such units as the Board in its discretion may grant,

and upon payment of the unit fee for each such unit shall be

entitled to the same rights as original participating members.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1087.12 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1087.12
Contents of notice of intention
Status: in_force

The notice of intention shall set forth at least all of the

following:

1. The name and address of the licensee;

2. The nature and object of the intended operation and the

person or organization on whose behalf it is to be conducted;

3. The area in which and the approximate time during which the

operation will be conducted;

4. The area which is intended to be affected by the operation;

and

5. The materials and methods to be used in conducting the

operation.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1124 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1124
Exemption from taxation - One bond issue for more than
Status: in_force

one project or facility - Payment from combined revenues.

Bonds issued hereunder shall not be subject to taxation by the

State of Oklahoma, or by any county, municipality or political

subdivision thereof. The board of directors of a port authority may

in its discretion authorize one issue of bonds hereunder for the

acquisition, construction, relocation, improvement, extension,

addition, furnishing or equipping of more than one building,

structure, project or facility, as herein defined, and may make said

bonds payable from the combined revenues of all such buildings and

facilities so constructed, acquired, improved, extended, furnished

or equipped, in whole or in part, with the proceeds of such bonds;

together with revenues from the operation of any existing revenue-

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 291

producing buildings or facilities. If more than one series of bonds

shall be issued hereunder, payable from the revenues of such

buildings and facilities, priority of lien thereof as to such

revenues shall be as prescribed by proceedings authorizing the

issuance of such respective bond issues. It shall be within the

discretion of the board of directors of such port authority at the

time the first series of bonds is authorized, to provide that

subsequent series of bonds payable from the same revenues, in whole

or in part, shall not be issued; or that subsequent series of bonds

shall be subordinate as to lien; or that subsequent series of bonds

shall enjoy parity of lien upon such conditions and restrictions as

are specified therein.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1324.23 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1324.23
Exemption from jurisdiction and control of Corporation
Status: in_force

Commission.

Rural water, sewer, gas and solid waste management districts,

and corporations shall be exempt in any and all respects from the

jurisdiction and control of the Corporation Commission of this

state; provided, however, rural gas distribution systems shall be

subject to the jurisdiction for only the pipeline safety program

administered by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1501-403 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1501-403
Renumbered as § 3-3-301 of Title 27A by Laws 1993, c
Status: in_force

145, § 359, eff. July 1, 1993.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1020.20 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1020.20
Unitizing and communitizing of land for water
Status: in_force

production purposes.

The owners of land and the Commissioners of the Land Office are

authorized to unitize and communitize lands for the purpose of

production of water therefrom; provided, the production therefrom

does not exceed the maximum annual yield.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1324.18 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1324.18
Duty of chairman - Compensation for services -
Status: in_force

District audits, reviews or compilations.

A. It shall be the duty of the chairman of the board of

directors to keep in repair such works as are constructed by the

district and to operate such works, all as directed by said board.

The chairman and all persons who may perform any service or labor as

provided herein shall be paid such just and reasonable compensation

as may be allowed by the board of directors and said board shall

annually prepare an estimated budget for the coming year, adjust

rates, if necessary to produce sufficient revenue required by such

budget.

B. 1. The board of directors of each district with a gross

operating revenue of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) or more

during a fiscal year shall cause to be prepared, by an independent

licensed public accountant or a certified public accountant, an

annual financial audit in accordance with generally accepted

auditing standards as of the end of each fiscal year. Copies shall

be filed with the State Auditor and Inspector within six (6) months

after the close of the fiscal year.

2. The board of directors of each district with a gross

operating revenue of less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00)

during a fiscal year shall cause to be prepared an annual review or

compilation in compliance with standards promulgated by the American

Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Copies of the review or

compilation shall be filed with the State Auditor and Inspector

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 329

within six (6) months after the close of the fiscal year for which

the review or compilation is done.

C. Each annual review, compilation or audit prepared pursuant

to this section shall be reported at the district's annual meeting.

Nothing in this section shall in any way alter or eliminate the

auditing requirements of any state or federal lending institution.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-896.10 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-896.10
Agencies authorized to assist in maintaining and improving water quality - Coordinated
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 5improving water quality - Coordinated watershed restoration and

protection strategy

A. The Department of Environmental Quality, the Corporation

Commission, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and

Forestry, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, the Department of

Wildlife Conservation and the Oklahoma Conservation Commission are

hereby given the authority to assist the Grand River Dam Authority

in maintaining and improving water quality and in preventing and

eliminating the pollution of waters within scenic rivers.

B. 1. The Secretary of Energy and Environment shall coordinate

with the appropriate state environmental agencies to create a

coordinated watershed restoration and protection strategy for each

impaired scenic river in this state.

2. The coordinated watershed restoration and protection

strategy shall identify all permitted or registered water pollution

sources and shall include but not be limited to:

a. an overall pollutant-specific load reduction as

identified in a developed total maximum daily load

(TMDL), or as otherwise calculated in the absence of a

TMDL, to bring each impaired scenic river back into

compliance with water quality standards,

b. pollutant-specific load reduction goals for each state

environmental agency to accomplish through its water

quality protection programs,

c. detailed compliance schedules indicating how much of

the load reduction goal will be accomplished each year

by each state environmental agency,

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 175

d. industry-specific descriptions of how load reduction

goals for each state environmental agency will be

accomplished,

e. an outline of innovative, cooperative intrastate and

interstate strategies that will be pursued in order to

expedite pollutant reductions, in particular where

scenic river watersheds cross state lines. Such

strategies may include nutrient trading and

conservation reserve enhancement program (CREP)

initiatives, and

f. a list of all permitted or registered water pollution

sources subject to the jurisdiction of each state

agency within each impaired scenic river watershed,

including the following information :

(1) types of operations or organizations regulated,

(2) list of the registrations or permits issued,

(3) details on governmental assistance given, and

(4) details of enforcement actions undertaken.

C. 1. For those impaired scenic river watersheds where a TMDL

for phosphorus has been developed, the Department of Environmental

Quality shall initially allocate a wasteload for phosphorus for

discharges from wastewater treatment facilities which enter the

scenic river which is achievable by the best available waste control

process.

2. The Secretary of Energy and the Environment shall evaluate

methods to reduce the contribution of phosphorus to impaired scenic

rivers from non-point sources identified by a TMDL.

D. 1. The Grand River Dam Authority shall require all

commercially operated flotation device operations and campgrounds

using scenic rivers for recreational activities to implement a

program to control the amount of pollution entering a scenic river

that is impaired by recreational activities.

2. The Grand River Dam Authority shall include in the

coordinated watershed restoration and protection strategy an

identification of the pollution from recreational activities and

those actions taken and planned to reduce the amount of pollution.

E. If the Legislature or the Governor finds that any of the

state environmental agencies have failed to appropriately protect

water quality standards in an impaired scenic river watershed, the

Governor and the Legislature shall take any and all necessary and

appropriate action to help the agency to meet its responsibilities.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1432 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1432
Commissioners - Number - Appointment - Staffing and services - Expenses - Absence or
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 12services - Expenses - Absence or vacancy in position of Executive

Director.

Pursuant to Article IX of the Red River Compact there shall be

two Commissioners from Oklahoma to serve on the Red River Compact

Commission. One Commissioner shall be the Executive Director of the

Oklahoma Water Resources Board, or such other agency as may be

hereafter responsible for administering water law in the state. The

other Commissioner shall be appointed by the Governor and shall

serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Oklahoma Water Resources

Board shall provide such staffing and services as may be required by

the Commission. The Board may provide in its budget for any such

administrative expenses.

In the event of the Executive Director's temporary absence, the

Executive Director may delegate the exercise of such powers and

duties to a designee during the Executive Director's absence. In

the event of a vacancy in the position of Executive Director, the

Board may designate an interim or acting Commissioner and designee

who is authorized to exercise such powers and duties until a

permanent Executive Director is employed.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 380
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-631 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-631
Abandonment of project - Sale of lands and property
Status: in_force

In case any such project, or any part thereof, be abandoned as a

flood control project, or in the event any land and property

acquired by purchase or condemnation in fee simple shall no longer

be necessary for the purposes of the district, the same shall not

revert to the former owner or owners or their subsequent grantees of

the property but shall be sold at public sale to the highest bidder

by the board of directors subject to confirmation by the court, with

the proceeds to be paid into the improvement fund created by Section

630 of this title; provided, however, members of the board of

directors and agents, servants and employees of the district shall

have no right to acquire such lands. The former owner shall be

given thirty days (30) notice by certified or registered mail of the

sale, and of his right within ten (10) days after the sale to file

an election with the court to buy the land at the highest bid price.

If the address of such owner is unknown then said notice shall be

given by publication for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of

general circulation in the county in which the land is located. Such

former owner shall have ten (10) days after such sale to file an

election to take such land at the highest bid price; and unless such

election is filed within said ten-day period, such rights shall

expire and the court shall confirm the sale free of such right. Such

preference right and the requirement that a public sale be held

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 106

shall not apply if the sale is made to any agency, department or

instrumentality of the State of Oklahoma; and a district may sell,

transfer or assign property of the district, subject to confirmation

of the court, to the State of Oklahoma or any agency department or

instrumentality thereof by resolution of the board of directors of

said district.

Where lands or interests therein are acquired by the district

and not utilized for the purposes for which it was acquired, or

which have been utilized but such utilization has ceased, then,

after ten (10) years from the date of acquisition, or ten (10) years

from the date utilization ceased, as the case may be, such land must

be sold at public auction to the highest bidder; and mandamus by any

interested party will lie to require such sale.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-105.3 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-105.3
Right of eminent domain
Status: in_force

Any person, corporation or association may exercise the right of

eminent domain to acquire right-of-way for the storage or conveyance

of water for beneficial use, including the right to enlarge existing

structures, and use the same in common with the former owner. Such

right-of-way shall in all cases be so located as to do the least

damage to private or public property, consistent with proper and

economical engineering construction. Such rights may be acquired in

the manner provided by law for the taking of private property for

public use.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.52 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.52
Definitions
Status: in_force

For the purposes of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund

Program:

1. "Water quality project" means:

a. any engineering undertaking or work to control or

develop sewage treatment facilities of the state for

all useful and lawful purposes,

b. any system necessary to improve or develop sewage

treatment, collection or distribution capabilities,

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 240

c. urban storm water activities that are administered

under the Oklahoma Brownfields Voluntary Redevelopment

Act for eligible entities that have obtained a draft

or final permit pursuant to the National Pollution

Discharge Elimination Act or the Oklahoma Pollution

Discharge Elimination Act, or

d. capital works, capital improvements, capital

equipment, environmental cleanups, land acquisition,

or implementation of management practices for the

purpose of protecting or improving surface or

underground water quality through watershed management

or reduction of nonpoint source pollution as

authorized by the federal Water Quality Act of 1987

and Section 1085.65 of this title,

e. any implementation of estuary conservation and

management programs as authorized by the federal Water

Quality Act of 1987,

f. any other water quality project as may be authorized

by the federal Water Quality Act of 1987;

2. "Investment certificate" means any note or bond, including

any renewal note or refunding bond, authorized and issued by the

Board pursuant to the provisions of this act;

3. "Eligible entity" means any city, town, county or the State

of Oklahoma, and any rural sewer district, public trust, master

conservancy district, any other political subdivision or any

combination thereof;

4. "Board" means the Oklahoma Water Resources Board;

5. "Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan Account" means the

Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan Account created pursuant to

Section 1085.53 of this title;

6. "Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan Administrative Fund"

means the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan Administrative Fund

created pursuant to Section 1085.64 of this title;

7. "Conservation Commission" means the Oklahoma Conservation

Commission;

8. "Department" means the Department of Environmental Quality;

and

9. "Federal Water Quality Act of 1987" means the federal Water

Quality Act of 1987 as exists on July 1, 1988, as may be amended,

and any successor statute.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1501-803 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1501-803
Effect of headings
Status: in_force

Article and section headings contained herein shall not be

deemed to govern, limit, modify, or in any manner affect the scope,

meaning or intent of the provisions of any article or section

hereof.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-926.1 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-926.1
Renumbered as § 1084.2 of this title by Laws 1993, c
Status: in_force

145, § 361, eff. July 1, 1993.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1324.45 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1324.45
Notice of public hearing - Payment of expenses -
Status: in_force

Security.

Notice, in a form to be specified by the Oklahoma Water

Resources Board, of the public hearing to be held pursuant to

Section 8 of this act shall be mailed, or shall be given in such

other manner as may be determined by the Board, by the district or

corporation to its customers within ten (10) business days after it

has received notice of the hearing from the Board. The expenses of

preparation and mailing and giving of such notice shall be borne by

the person filing the statement required by Section 6 of this act.

As security for the payment of such expenses, the Board may require

such person to file with the Board an acceptable bond or other

deposit in an amount to be determined by the Board.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.83 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.83
Annual intended use plan and biennial report
Status: in_force

A. The Department of Environmental Quality shall prepare an

annual intended use plan with the cooperation of the Board and shall

submit such plan to the United States Environmental Protection

Agency. The plan shall contain all information required by

pertinent provisions of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and may

contain such other information as the Department may determine. An

opportunity for public review of and comment on the plan before

submittal shall be provided.

B. The Department shall prepare a biennial report with the

cooperation of the Board and shall submit such report to the United

States Environmental Protection Agency. The biennial report shall

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 259

contain all information required by pertinent provisions of the

federal Safe Drinking Water Act and may contain such other

information as required by the Capitalization Grant Agreement.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1501-501 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1501-501
Renumbered as § 3-3-101 of Title 27A by Laws 1993, c
Status: in_force

145, § 359, eff. July 1, 1993.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-663.1 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-663.1
Union or conversion of drainage districts
Status: in_force

The provisions of Title 82 Oklahoma Statutes, Section 663,

relating to the union of conservancy districts shall apply equally

to drainage districts organized under the provisions of Title 82

Oklahoma Statutes. Any drainage district so organized may unite

with a conservancy district under those provisions, or any drainage

district may become a conservancy district and henceforth be under

and governed by the provisions of Title 82 Oklahoma Statutes,

Sections 531-687 by following those provisions.

Said petition to unite or convert the form of organization and

government need contain no other allegations than that the governing

board or boards desire to accept the provisions of this act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1501-101 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1501-101
Renumbered as § 3-1-101 of Title 27A by Laws 1993, c
Status: in_force

145, § 359, eff. July 1, 1993.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1501-304 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1501-304
Renumbered as § 3-3-402 of Title 27A by Laws 1993, c
Status: in_force

145, § 359, eff. July 1, 1993.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-105.20 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-105.20
Violations
Status: in_force

A. The unauthorized use of water, the unauthorized transfer of

a water right, the continued use of works which are unsafe after

receiving notice to repair, the waste of water, the unauthorized

severance of a water right from the land to which it is appurtenant,

the refusal to change unsafe works when directed to do so, the

injury or obstruction of waterworks, or the violation of a permit

condition shall be a misdemeanor and each day such violation

continues shall be a separate violation. In addition to filing

criminal complaints and any other remedies provided herein, the

Oklahoma Water Resources Board shall have the right to bring an

action in the district court of the county wherein such act or

omission occurs to enjoin the same.

B. The unauthorized use of water, the unauthorized transfer of

a water right, the continued use of works which are unsafe after

receiving notice to repair, the waste of water, the unauthorized

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 29

severance of a water right from the land to which it is appurtenant,

the refusal to change unsafe works when directed to do so, the

injury or obstruction of waterworks, or the violation of a permit

condition are considered violations of Sections 105.1 through 105.32

of this title and shall be subject to administrative penalties

issued by the Board of up to Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) per

day of violation. Such administrative penalties shall be imposed

only after notice and opportunity for hearing on the proposed

imposition of such penalties.

C. The Board and its authorized agents shall have a reasonable

right to go upon private property in the performance of their duties

hereunder and shall have the duty to file complaints of violations

of the penal provisions of this section.

D. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Executive

Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board may issue

administrative orders requiring the immediate cessation of water use

when Board staff has a reasonable belief the use is unauthorized or

continued use will damage rights of prior appropriators. Such

administrative orders shall indicate the finding of imminent peril

and shall specify the actions that are to be taken immediately. In

addition, the orders shall specify a time and place for a hearing to

be held after such actions are taken.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-926.9 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-926.9
Renumbered as § 2-3-501 of Title 27A by Laws 1993, c
Status: in_force

145, § 359, eff. July 1, 1993.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1501-421 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1501-421
Renumbered as § 3-3-202 of Title 27A by Laws 1993, c
Status: in_force

145, § 359, eff. July 1, 1993.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-277.18 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-277.18
Dissolution
Status: in_force

A. Upon petition by twenty-five percent (25%) of the electors

of a district, the board shall call a special election to determine

whether the district should be dissolved and a settlement of its

financial obligations made.

B. The election shall be conducted as provided by the bylaws of

the district. If the electors vote to dissolve the district, the

board shall immediately notify all persons having claims against the

district of the result of such election and shall adjust, settle and

pay all claims.

C. If the amount realized from the sale of district property,

together with other money of the district, is insufficient to pay

the indebtedness of the district, assessments shall continue to be

made against the land in the district until all obligations are

paid.

D. Within thirty (30) days after all the property of the

district has been disposed of and all of its obligations have been

paid, the board shall file a certificate of dissolution in the

office of the county clerk of each county in which the district is

located, and in the office of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.

The certificate shall be signed by the president and attested by the

secretary-treasurer, with the seal of the district affixed. The

certificate shall state that the district has disposed of its

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 54

property, has been dissolved and shall describe the lands released

from the district.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-641 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-641
Bond of county treasurer
Status: in_force

Before receiving the aforesaid "Assessment Book" the treasurer

of each county in which lands or other property of the district are

located, shall execute to the board of directors of the district a

bond with at least two good and sufficient sureties or a surety

company, and which shall be paid for by the district in a sum not

less than the probable amount of any annual levy of said assessment

to be collected by him during any one (1) year, on condition that

said treasurer shall pay over and account for all assessments so

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 115

collected by him according to law. Said bond after approval by said

board of directors shall be deposited with the secretary of the

board of directors who shall produce same for inspection and use as

evidence whenever and wherever lawfully requested so to do.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-896.15 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-896.15
Violations
Status: in_force

A. Any person who willfully violates any rule or order issued

pursuant to the Scenic Rivers Act, except such rules or orders as

relate solely to procedural matters, upon conviction thereof, shall

be guilty of a misdemeanor.

B. In addition to other administrative actions, the Grand River

Dam Authority may issue a Notice of Violation to any licensed

commercial flotation device operation that is alleged to have

violated any rule of the Grand River Dam Authority. The Notice of

Violation shall advise the licensed operation of the applicable rule

and the facts of the violation and shall set a reasonable period of

time for the licensed operation to comply with the rule. After the

time to comply has expired, if the licensed operation is found to

still be in violation of the same rule, the Authority may issue a

proposed order assessing an administrative penalty in an amount of

not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or more than Five

Hundred Dollars ($500.00). The licensed operation shall have twenty

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 178

(20) days from receipt of the order to request an administrative

hearing. If a hearing is not requested, the proposed order shall

become final and the administrative penalty shall become due and

payable.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-570 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-570
Dominant right of eminent domain
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 91

Said board, where necessary for the purpose of this act, shall

have dominant right of eminent domain over the right of eminent

domain of railroad, telegraph, telephone, gas, water power and other

companies and corporations, and over townships, villages, counties

and cities. In the exercise of this right due care shall be taken to

do no unnecessary damage to other public utilities, and, in case of

failure to agree upon the mode and terms of interference, their

operation or usefulness shall not be interfered with beyond the

actual necessities of the case, due regard being paid to the other

public interest involved.

Oil, gas and minerals are specifically excluded from the right

to condemn, except to the extent necessary to prevent activities

adversely affecting the purposes of the district.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1087.5 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1087.5
Hearings
Status: in_force

In the case of hearings held pursuant to this act, the Board

shall conduct such hearings in accordance with the provisions of the

Administrative Procedures Act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-565.1 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-565.1
Dissolution of conservancy districts
Status: in_force

A conservancy district created under the provisions of the

Conservancy Act of Oklahoma may be dissolved by the district court

having jurisdiction of said district, upon an application for that

purpose filed by a majority of the members of the board of directors

of such district, or upon the petition of a majority of the

landowners in such district. Any such application shall be in

writing and shall set forth either that a plan for the improvements

for which the district was created has not been prepared and that

there is little likelihood that such a plan will be prepared within

the next three (3) years; or, that a plan has been prepared but no

assessments have been approved by the court and that a period of ten

(10) years has elapsed since approval of the plan and that there is

little likelihood that such assessment will be made against the

benefited land within the next three (3) years. Such application

shall further set forth that all indebtedness of said district has

been paid in full and that said district has no indebtedness

outstanding and that it will be in the best interests of all

landowners within said district to have the district dissolved. Said

application must be signed by a majority of the members of the board

of directors, or by a majority of the landowners within such

conservancy district. Said application shall be filed with the

clerk of the district court having jurisdiction of such district. If

the judge of the district court having jurisdiction of such district

is satisfied that the application is in conformance with the

provisions of this act, he shall order the clerk of said court to

give notice by publication, to be made of the pendency of the

application and of the time and place of the hearing thereon, and

said notice as provided herein shall be given in each county

affected by the district and the time of hearing shall not be less

than sixty (60) days from the date of the first publication. Any

owner of land in said district who desires to object to the

dissolution of said district shall, before the date set for the

application to be heard, file his objections and state the reasons

why such district should not be dissolved. Upon said hearing, if

the court finds from the evidence presented that the application has

been signed by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors

or by a majority of the landowners in said district and either that

a plan for the improvements for which the district was created has

not been prepared and that there is little likelihood that such a

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 88

plan will be prepared within the next three (3) years; or, that a

plan has been prepared but no assessments have been approved by the

court and that a period of ten (10) years has elapsed since approval

of the plan and that there is little likelihood that such assessment

will be made against the benefited land within the next three (3)

years, and if the court further finds that all indebtedness of said

district has been paid in full and that said district has no

indebtedness outstanding and that it will be in the best interests

of all landowners in the district to have the district dissolved,

the court shall declare said conservancy district dissolved. Within

thirty (30) days after the court has declared said district

dissolved, the clerk of said court shall transmit to the Secretary

of State, and the county clerk in each of the counties having lands

in said district, copies of the order of the court dissolving said

district.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1324.33 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1324.33
Dissolution of corporation - Transfer of assets,
Status: in_force

property, obligations and benefits.

A. Upon the affirmative order of the board of county

commissioners to organize the district, the corporation shall be

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 337

deemed dissolved. The board of directors of the corporation shall

file notice of such dissolution with the Secretary of State.

B. All debts, liabilities and obligations of the corporation

shall be paid and discharged or transferred pursuant to subsection E

of this section.

C. Upon filing with the Secretary of State of notice of

dissolution, the corporation shall cease to carry on its business

except insofar as may be necessary for the winding up thereof.

D. Upon receipt of notice of dissolution and compliance with

the provisions of this section, the Secretary of State shall issue a

certificate of dissolution for the corporation.

E. 1. Except as otherwise provided by subsection B of this

section, any employee benefits, assets, easements, and titles to any

real property or personal property held by the corporation shall be

construed to be the benefits, assets, easements, property and

obligation of the district.

2. A single notice of the transfer shall be filed for such

assets, easements or titles of record with the Secretary of State

and in the office of the county clerk where such records are

located.

3. Unless otherwise discharged by law, all legal proceedings

instituted by or against the corporation prior to the organization

of a district pursuant to the provisions of this act shall upon

petition be renewed and continued by or against the district by an

order of the court constituting the name of such district.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-610 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-610
Payment before entry
Status: in_force

No property shall be taken under this act until compensation

fixed by appraisal, agreement, donation or condemnation has been

paid, according to law.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1501-301 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1501-301
Renumbered as § 3-2-102 of Title 27A by Laws 1993, c
Status: in_force

145, § 359, eff. July 1, 1993.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1086.7 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1086.7
Oklahoma Flood and Drought Management Task Force
Status: in_force

A. The Oklahoma Flood and Drought Management Task Force is

hereby established and shall be comprised of two groups, the

management group and the advisory group.

B. 1. The management group shall be comprised of designees

from the following state agencies:

a. the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, which shall serve

as the lead agency,

b. the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and

Homeland Security,

c. the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and

Forestry,

d. the State Department of Health,

e. the Department of Environmental Quality,

f. the Oklahoma Conservation Commission,

g. the Department of Wildlife Conservation,

h. the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, and

i. the Oklahoma Military Department.

2. The advisory group shall be comprised of designees of the

following state associations and entities:

a. Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma,

b. Oklahoma Rural Water Association, and

c. Oklahoma Municipal League.

The advisory group shall also include the resources of all

remaining state agencies and departments available to provide advice

and assistance to the Oklahoma Flood and Drought Management Task

Force, including the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

C. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board shall formally coordinate

with the following federal agencies:

1. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA);

2. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;

3. U.S. Forest Service;

4. The United States Geological Survey;

5. Bureau of Reclamation;

6. Farm Service Agency;

7. National Weather Service;

8. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;

9. U.S. Small Business Administration;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 268

10. Bureau of Indian Affairs;

11. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development;

12. United States Environmental Protection Agency; and

13. Any other federal agency available to provide advice and

assistance.

D. The Oklahoma Flood and Drought Management Task Force shall

have the following duties:

1. Developing and recommending state drought and flood

response, recovery, and mitigation initiatives for conditions

determined to be detrimental to the state economy and public health;

2. Identifying drought and flood management areas in the state;

3. Providing coordination and communication among federal,

state, and local entities as deemed appropriate for drought and

flood assistance programs, education, and information; and

4. Performing such other drought- and flood-related assessments

and response functions as deemed necessary.

E. Beginning in 2025, and every ten (10) years thereafter, in

conjunction with the update of the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan

and State Flood Plan, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board shall

coordinate with the Oklahoma Flood and Drought Management Task Force

to update the Oklahoma Drought Management Plan.

F. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board shall prepare an annual

update of drought and flood conditions within the state and planning

and mitigation activities being conducted by the Task Force and

shall submit such report to the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of

Representatives and President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State

Senate.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-863.3 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-863.3
Joint Legislative Task Force on the Grand River Dam
Status: in_force

Authority - Members - Travel reimbursements.

A. There is hereby created the Joint Legislative Task Force on

the Grand River Dam Authority for the purpose of studying the

functions, activities, policies, procedures and expenditures

performed by the district and any related issues the task force

deems appropriate. Members of the task force shall be appointed in

January of each year following a state general election by the

President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of

Representatives. Membership shall be made up of five members of the

Senate and five members of the House of Representatives whose

legislative districts include a portion of the Grand River Dam

Authority district to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of

the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives,

respectively. The President Pro Tempore and Speaker shall each

designate one of their members to be cochairs of the task force.

The task force shall be required to meet at least once biennially

during the first session of each new legislature. Additional

meetings may be called as the cochairs determine necessary.

Meetings of the task force shall be called by the cochairs. A

majority of the appointed members shall constitute a quorum for any

meeting of the task force. Staffing assistance shall be provided by

the staff of the Senate and House of Representatives.

B. The members of the task force created herein shall continue

to serve until new members are appointed pursuant to the provisions

of subsection A of this section. The task force is authorized to

adopt any recommendations or issue any report it deems necessary.

Any recommendations or reports shall be approved by a majority of

the appointed members. Copies of any recommendations or reports

issued by the task force shall be distributed to the Governor, the

President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of

Representatives, the members of the Grand River Dam Authority Board

of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer of the Grand River Dam

Authority.

C. The Grand River Dam Authority shall annually provide a copy

of the district's most recent annual report to the members of the

task force in addition to any information requested pursuant to the

provisions of this section.

D. Members serving on the task force shall not be entitled to

travel reimbursement.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 150
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-277.20 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-277.20
Holding and conveyance of property
Status: in_force

The district shall hold title to its property in its corporate

name for the uses and purposes of the district unless required to

hold title in some other name or manner by the United States or this

state. The formation of a district shall not transfer water rights

to the district under lands included within the district. Any

district which contracts with the State of Oklahoma or the United

States may convey district property, with or without consideration,

if such property is needed by this state or the United States in

connection with the construction, operation or maintenance of an

irrigation project.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-887 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-887
Waters of Grand River and reservoirs thereon as
Status: in_force

nonnavigable and waters of State of Oklahoma.

That the waters of Grand River in Oklahoma and the Pensacola and

Markham Ferry Reservoirs, located thereon, be and are hereby

determined and declared to be non-navigable and waters of the State

of Oklahoma.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1456 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1456
Renumbered as § 896.9 of this title by Laws 2016, c. 297,
Status: in_force

§ 29, eff. July 1, 2016.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-277.24 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-277.24
Salt water - Exemption
Status: in_force

The provisions of the Oklahoma Irrigation District Act shall not

apply to the taking, use, or disposal of salt water associated with

the exploration, production and recovery of oil and gas.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-896.16 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-896.16
User fees - Licenses – Fines
Status: in_force

A. 1. Until replaced or changed as provided for in subsection

C of this section, the Grand River Dam Authority is authorized and

directed to charge an annual use fee of Thirty-five Dollars ($35.00)

per commercially owned and operated flotation device on the Illinois

River within Adair, Cherokee and Delaware Counties.

2. The operation of a commercial flotation device without

displaying a proper license issued by the Authority shall result in

a fine not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). The fine shall

be assessed upon the owner or operator of the commercial flotation

device business and not upon the individual renting the commercial

flotation device.

3. Commercial flotation devices shall not be operated on Flint

Creek in Delaware County and those portions of Barren Creek in

Cherokee County.

B. For the Flint Creek and Illinois River within Adair,

Cherokee and Delaware Counties and those portions of Barren Fork

Creek within Cherokee County, the Authority is authorized and

directed to charge until replaced or changed as provided for in

subsection C of this section:

1. An annual use fee of Ten Dollars ($10.00) per noncommercial,

privately owned device; or

2. A use fee of One Dollar ($1.00) per day for all

noncommercial, privately owned flotation devices floating upon a

designated scenic river. Landowners located immediately adjacent to

a designated scenic river shall not be required to pay any fee for

private use as authorized in this section or otherwise by law.

C. Under the provisions of Section 896.2 of this title granting

the Authority the power to establish licenses and set fees, the

Authority may promulgate rules for the collection and administration

of the fees imposed pursuant to the provisions of this section or

may promulgate rules establishing licenses, providing for the

issuance, renewal, revocation, denial, and suspension of licenses,

and setting fees that change or replace the licenses and fees

imposed pursuant to the provisions of this section. Upon final

adoption of rules changing or replacing any or all of the licenses

and fees imposed pursuant to the provisions of this section, the

Authority shall cease to impose, collect or charge the license and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 179

fee that was changed or replaced by rule. Rules promulgated by the

Authority pursuant to this section shall be in accordance with the

Administrative Procedures Act.

D. Until replaced or changed as provided for in subsection C of

this section, the Grand River Dam Authority may charge a fee for use

of camping sites located in public use and access areas controlled

by the Authority in an amount that does not exceed the rate charged

by the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department for camping sites.

E. For the purposes of the Scenic Rivers Act, "commercial

flotation device" means a canoe, boat, kayak, inner tube, raft or

other similar device suitable for the transportation of a person or

persons on waterways which is available for hire by the public for

use on scenic rivers.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-635 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-635
Owners may pay assessments in full - Bonding resolution
Status: in_force

for unpaid assessments.

When the assessment roll is placed on file in the office of the

district, notice by publication shall be given to property owners

that they may pay their assessments. Any owner of real property

assessed for the execution of the official plan under the provision

of this act shall have the privilege of paying such assessment to

the treasurer of the board of directors within thirty (30) days from

the time such assessment is placed on file in the office of the

district, and the amount to be paid shall be the full amount of the

assessment less any amount added thereto to meet interest. When

such assessment has been paid, the secretary of the board shall

enter upon the said assessment record opposite each tract for which

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 108

payment is made the words "paid in full" and such assessment shall

be deemed satisfied. The payment of such assessment shall not

relieve the land owners from the necessity for the payment of a

maintenance assessment nor for the payment of any further assessment

which may be necessary as herein provided. Any property owner

failing to pay assessments in full as provided for herein shall be

deemed to have consented to the issuance of bonds as provided for in

this act, and to payment of interest thereon.

After the expiration of the period of thirty (30) days within

which the property owners may pay their respective assessments, as

limited herein, the treasurer of the district shall certify to the

board of directors the aggregate of the amount so paid, and

thereupon the board of directors shall pass and spread upon their

records a bonding resolution in which shall be stated the amount of

the assessment, and the amount thereof paid as aforesaid, and

thereupon the board shall in the same resolution apportion the

uncollected assessment into installments or levies, provide for the

collection of interest upon the unpaid installments, and they may

order the issuance of bonds (in an amount not exceeding ninety

percent (90%) of the levy) in anticipation of the collection of said

installments. The residue of the special assessment so levied (not

less than ten percent (10%) shall constitute a contingent account to

protect the bonds from casual default, and any part thereof in

excess of the ten percent (10%) of the next installment of maturing

bond principal, together with the next two installments of

semiannual interest, if not needed for this purpose, may be

transferred from time to time to the maintenance fund of the

district.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-277.17 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-277.17
Tax exemptions
Status: in_force

A. All property, owned or purchased by a district, both real

and personal and reasonably necessary to accomplish the purposes of

the district, shall be exempt from taxation by this state, or by any

municipal corporation, county or other political subdivision or

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 53

taxing district of this state. All property, products and benefits

sold, leased or furnished by a district shall be exempt from sales

tax.

B. All bonds, notes and warrants and the interest thereon

issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Irrigation

District Act shall be exempt from taxation by this state or by any

municipal corporation, county or other political subdivision or

taxing district of this state.

C. 1. All districts organized under the provisions of the

Oklahoma Irrigation District Act shall be exempt from the payment of

sales and use taxes on purchases and use of tangible personal

property in this state.

2. Districts shall be exempt from payment of the vehicle excise

tax levied on the transfer for first registration of vehicles

purchased and used in this state.

3. All districts organized under the provisions of the Oklahoma

Irrigation District Act shall be exempt from the payment of motor

fuel excise taxes, as provided in Section 500.10 of Title 68 of the

Oklahoma Statutes.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1324.17 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1324.17
Officers
Status: in_force

The board of directors shall annually elect a chairman, vice-

chairman, secretary and treasurer for a term of one (1) year and

until a successor is elected and has qualified.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1088.12 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1088.12
Public policy
Status: in_force

The Legislature hereby declares that, in order to protect

Oklahoma citizens from increased water supply shortages and

groundwater depletions by the year 2060 in most of the eighty-two

watershed planning basins in the state as described in the 2012

Update of the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan, the public policy

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 277

of this state is to establish and work toward a goal of consuming no

more fresh water in the year 2060 than is consumed statewide in the

year 2012, while continuing to grow the population and economy of

the state and to achieve this goal through utilizing existing water

supplies more efficiently and expanding the use of alternatives such

as wastewater, brackish water, and other nonpotable supplies.

Provided, however, that nothing in the Water for 2060 Act shall be

construed as amending the provisions of law pertaining to rights or

permits to use water.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-604 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-604
Hearing on land excluded from or taken into district -
Status: in_force

Notice.

If the report of the board of appraisers includes

recommendations that other lands be included in the district, or

that certain lands be excluded from the district, it shall be the

duty of the court clerk where the proceeding is pending to give

notice to the owners of such property by publication, to be made as

provided in this act for a hearing on the petition for the creation

of the district. Such notice to those owners whose lands are to be

added to the district may be substantially as shown in the schedule

herein. The time and place of the hearing may be the same as those

of hearing of appraisals. To the owners of property to be excluded

from the district it will be sufficient to notify them of that fact,

which notice may be recorded with acknowledgment of the owner.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1020.4 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1020.4
Hydrologic surveys and investigations
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 187

A. Prior to making orders establishing the tentative maximum

annual yield for major groundwater basins or subbasins therein, the

Oklahoma Water Resources Board shall make hydrologic surveys and

investigations.

B. Prior to making orders establishing the tentative maximum

annual yield for minor groundwater basins or subbasins therein, the

Board shall prepare reports using information from hydrologic

surveys and investigations of groundwater basins or subbasins having

substantially the same geological and hydrological characteristics

and data from wells in such basin or subbasins and other relevant

information.

C. The Board is authorized to cooperate with state, federal and

tribal agencies engaged in similar surveys and investigations and

may accept and use the findings of such agencies. At least every

twenty (20) years after issuance of the final order determining the

maximum annual yield, the Board shall review and update if necessary

the hydrologic surveys.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.13 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.13
Special counsel
Status: in_force

If the Attorney General shall seek redress on behalf of the

state as provided for in the Administrative Procedures Act, the

Oklahoma Water Resources Board is empowered to appoint a special

counsel for such proceedings.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1324.3 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1324.3
Purpose of districts - Organization
Status: in_force

Public nonprofit rural water districts, public nonprofit rural

sewer districts, public nonprofit natural gas distribution districts

and public nonprofit rural solid waste management districts may be

organized under this act for the purpose of developing and providing

an adequate rural water supply, gas distribution facilities, sewage

disposal facilities and solid waste management system to serve and

meet the needs of rural residents within the territory of the

district. The board of county commissioners of each county in this

state shall have the power and it shall be their duty, upon a proper

petition being presented, to incorporate and order the creation of

rural water, sewer, gas and solid waste management districts in the

manner hereinafter provided.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1104 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1104
Employees
Status: in_force

A port authority created in accordance with Section 2 shall

employ and fix the qualifications, duties, and compensation of such

employees and professional help as it may require to conduct the

business of the port and may appoint an advisory board which shall

serve without compensation. Any employee may be suspended or

dismissed, and the services of professional help may be terminated

at any time by the port authority.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.65 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.65
Loan applications for nonpoint source management
Status: in_force

programs.

A. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission shall promulgate rules

to receive, and review applications for water quality projects

submitted to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program for

implementation of nonpoint source management programs as allowed by

the federal Water Quality Act of 1987 for those activities subject

to its jurisdiction as specified in the Oklahoma Environmental

Quality Act.

B. The rules shall require that to be eligible for financial

assistance, the proposed project:

1. Meets or will meet a critical local or state need, as

defined in the State Nonpoint Source Assessment and Management

Report;

2. Is needed or will be needed to comply with the State

Nonpoint Source Assessment and Management Report;

3. Is designed to prevent, reduce or halt the pollution of the

waters of this state and comply with Oklahoma's Water Quality

Standards;

4. Is cost-effective; and

5. Shall be awarded upon a cost-share basis.

C. The Commission shall consult with and obtain comments of the

Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality prior

to making a recommendation on all applications and programs which

may involve nonpoint sources subject to the jurisdiction of the

Department of Environmental Quality. The Department of

Environmental Quality's comments shall be addressed in the

recommendation or attached thereto.

D. Upon determination that the proposed project meets the

minimum criteria, the Commission shall forward the application,

plans and specifications and other documents to the Oklahoma Water

Resources Board, with a recommendation that a loan be made for the

project.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1501-601 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1501-601
Renumbered as § 3-3-108 of Title 27A by Laws 1993, c
Status: in_force

145, § 359, eff. July 1, 1993.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 389
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1088.13 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1088.13
Oklahoma Water Conservation Grant Program - Pilot
Status: in_force

programs - Goals and objectives - Purpose - Awards.

A. There is hereby created the "Oklahoma Water Conservation

Grant Program".

B. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board shall solicit proposals

for and make grants for the establishment of pilot programs which

will implement water conservation projects or plans in communities

in the state.

C. The goals and objectives of the grant program are to:

1. Increase the awareness of the public through education

programs or public information campaigns regarding the value of our

water resources and how water can be used more efficiently;

2. Provide assistance to communities or entities initiating

water conservation plans, programs, and activities and to research

and document the potential for improving water use efficiency

through demonstration projects and other activities; and

3. Assist in the development of policies which will encourage

the implementation of water conservation measures.

D. For purposes of this section, communities may include entire

cities or towns, combined cities or towns, parts of cities or towns,

or schools, groups or entities located within a community, or one or

more rural water districts or portions of water districts.

E. Contingent upon the availability of funding, the Board may

award grants each year in an amount not to exceed Twenty-five

Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for each grant. The total amount of

grants awarded each year shall not exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars

($50,000.00).

F. The pilot projects shall be innovative programs that will

serve as models for other communities in the state. Pilot projects

may include, but are not limited to, community conservation

demonstration projects, water use accounting programs, retrofit

projects, school education projects, Xeriscape demonstration

gardens, projects which promote efficiency, recycling and reuse of

water, and information campaigns on capturing and using harvested

rainwater and graywater.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 278

G. The Board shall determine pilot project criteria and

establish a process for the consideration of proposals. The

proposals for pilot projects shall be considered on a statewide

competitive basis. The Board shall promulgate rules for the

operation of the projects.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.10 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.10
Procedures and appeals
Status: in_force

In the exercise of all powers and performance of all duties

provided in this act, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board shall

comply with the procedures provided in the Administrative Procedures

Act. Appeals shall be taken as provided in said act. The Oklahoma

Water Resources Board may designate a hearing examiner or examiners

who shall have the power and authority to conduct such hearings in

the name of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board at any time and place

subject to the provisions of this section and any applicable rules,

regulations or orders of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.24 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.24
Purchase of certificates by State Treasurer
Status: in_force

A. The State Treasurer of the State of Oklahoma is hereby

authorized and required to purchase from the Water Conservation

Storage Commission at private sale not to exceed at any one time One

Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000.00) in said

investment certificates, or interim investment certificates, as an

investment of the public monies in his possession. It shall be the

responsibility of the State Treasurer to invest only that portion of

such public monies as it deems to be more than sufficient to meet

current expenditures payable from public monies. The State

Treasurer is authorized and required to buy, and the Commission is

authorized and required to sell to the State Treasurer at private

sale, as provided in this section, so many of the investment

certificates authorized by this act as may be safely purchased for

investment of public monies by the State Treasurer without

handicapping the State of Oklahoma in promptly meeting its

obligations. In event of such sale or sales, the Commission shall

determine and fix the rate of interest and investment certificates

so sold shall bear such rate of interest.

B. In the event any or all of the investment certificates are

sold to the State Treasurer under the provisions of subsection A of

this section and thereafter the uninvested cash on hand and in

solvent banks should fall short of demand orders on the State

Treasury, it shall be the duty of the State Treasurer to sell such

part or all of the investment certificates as are necessary to be

converted into cash to meet such demands. The State Treasurer may

sell such part or all of the said investment certificates as the

State Treasurer is so authorized to sell, at private sale, to the

Teachers' Retirement Fund or any other state fund, department or

agency which has available monies to purchase the same, and all such

state funds, departments and agencies are hereby authorized and

empowered to so purchase such investment certificates.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-105.16 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-105.16
Time for putting water to beneficial use
Status: in_force

A. Unless a schedule of use is provided by the Board as

authorized in this section, a regular permit shall require that the

whole of the amount of the water authorized by the permit be put to

beneficial use within a period of less than seven (7) years.

B. If, upon evidence presented to the Board, and considering

the present and future needs of the stream system of origin, it

appears that the proposed project, improvement or structure will

promote the optimal beneficial use of water in the state, and it

further appears that the total amount of water to be authorized by

the permit cannot be put to beneficial use within seven (7) years,

then the Board shall provide in the permit the time within which the

total amount to be authorized shall be put to beneficial use. This

time shall be the useful life of the proposed project, improvement

or structure as found by the Board. In order to insure orderly

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 27

progress toward total beneficial utilization within the said time

set by the Board, the Board shall provide in the permit a schedule

of times within which certain percentages of the total amount to be

authorized must be put to beneficial use.

C. Nothing in this act shall be deemed to reestablish any right

to the use of any water which has been lost by failure to use same

or by forfeiture prior to July 5, 1961.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1111 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1111
Prohibitions
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in Sections 1 to 14, inclusive, of this act

shall:

(a) Impair the provisions of law or ordinance directing the

payment of revenues derived from public property into sinking funds

or dedicating such revenues to specific purposes;

(b) Enlarge, alter, diminish, or affect in any way, any lease or

conveyance made, or action taken prior to the creation of a port

authority by any municipal corporation, or by any county;

(c) Impair or interfere with the exercise of any permit for the

removal of sand or gravel, or other similar permits issued by this

state or the United States.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1274 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1274
Exemption from taxes and assessments
Status: in_force

Districts formed hereunder shall be exempt from all excise taxes

of whatsoever kind or nature, and further, shall be exempt from

payment of assessments in any general or special taxing district

levied upon the property of the district, whether real, personal or

mixed. Any and all obligations, securities and evidences of

indebtedness issued by a district formed pursuant to this act shall

be exempt from all inheritance or death taxes, and the income

interest and capital gains thereon shall not be subject to the

income tax laws of this state. Persons owning or holding the

obligations, securities and evidences of indebtedness or their

heirs, devisees, successors or assigns shall not be required to pay

to the State of Oklahoma income tax upon the profits and capital

gains upon the obligations, securities and evidences of

indebtedness.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1324.15 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1324.15
Hearing on annexation petition
Status: in_force

At the time and place set for the hearing and consideration of

the petition, the board of county commissioners shall ascertain

whether proper notice has been given and whether the statements

contained in the petition are true. If true, and if a majority of

the members of the Board of the district to which annexation is

desired do not object to such statement, the board of county

commissioners shall enter into its minutes such findings and shall

set forth in said minutes a description of the new boundaries of

such district. Thereafter, owners of land located within the

annexed territory shall be entitled to subscribe to such benefit

units upon such terms and conditions as the board in its discretion

may provide. Any owner of land located within any territory annexed

to a district who shall subscribe to one or more benefit units and

comply with terms and conditions provided by the board, shall be

entitled to the same rights as participating members.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.47 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.47
Investment certificates - Issuance - Consideration of
Status: in_force

needs of certain entities.

In the issuance of investment certificates, it shall be the duty

and responsibility of the Board to consider the relative needs of

all eligible entities in the state and to ensure that sufficient

monies are made available from each issuance to satisfy such

proportionate share of the overall needs as are attributable to

small cities, towns and rural water districts.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-105.14 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-105.14
Denial of permit - Approval of application for lesser
Status: in_force

amount - Appeal.

If, in the opinion of the Board, the applicant fails to

establish the three requirements of Section 12, it shall reject the

application. It shall notify the applicant of the rejection and the

reason for its action. In the absence of appeal as provided by this

act, the decision of the Board shall be final.

If the Board denies a permit on the basis that there is no

unappropriated water available in the amount applied for but finds

that the other requirements were complied with, the applicant may

file an amended application and apply for a lesser amount. Such

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 26

amendment shall be in writing and sent by certified mail no later

than fifteen (15) days after notice of denial of the original

application shall have been mailed by the Board. Upon receipt of

the amended application, the Board shall approve the application for

the lesser amount at its next regularly scheduled meeting if such

amount is sufficient. Such amendment shall not be deemed a waiver

of the right to appeal from the action of the Board in denying the

permit on the original application. Time for perfecting an appeal

shall begin to run upon the mailing of notice of either the denial

of the permit or approval of the amended application, whichever is

later.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-506 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-506
Jurisdiction of courts over creation of districts
Status: in_force

Jurisdiction of all actions for the creation of conservancy

districts as outlined in this act is hereby specifically conferred

upon the various district courts of the State of Oklahoma and upon

the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma to be exercised in the

manner herein prescribed.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-105.1 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-105.1
Definitions
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 15

As used in Sections 105.2 through 105.32 of this title:

1. "Definite stream" means a watercourse in a definite, natural

channel, with defined beds and banks, originating from a definite

source or sources of supply. The stream may flow intermittently or

at irregular intervals if that is characteristic of the sources of

supply in the area;

2. "Domestic use" means the use of water by a natural

individual or by a family or household for household purposes, for

farm and domestic animals up to the normal grazing capacity of the

land and for the irrigation of land not exceeding a total of three

(3) acres in area for the growing of gardens, orchards and lawns,

and for such other purposes, specified by Board rules, for which de

minimis amounts are used;

3. "Regular permit" means a permit granted by the Oklahoma

Water Resources Board authorizing the holder to appropriate water on

a year-round basis in an amount and from a source approved by the

Board;

4. "Seasonal permit" means a permit granted by the Board

authorizing the holder of such permit to divert available water for

specified time periods during the calendar year;

5. "Temporary permit" means a permit granted by the Board

authorizing the appropriation of water in an amount and from a

source approved by the Board which does not exceed a time period of

three (3) months, which does not vest in the holder any permanent

right and which may be canceled by the Board in accordance with its

terms;

6. "Term permit" means a permit granted by the Board

authorizing the appropriation of water in an amount and from a

source approved by the Board for a term of years which does not vest

the holder with any permanent right and which expires upon

expiration of the term of the permit; and

7. "Provisional temporary permit" means a permit which may be

summarily granted upon administrative approval by the Executive

Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and which authorizes

an appropriation of water in an amount and from a source approved by

the Executive Director. A provisional temporary permit shall

authorize an appropriation for a period of time not exceeding ninety

(90) days, shall not vest in the holder any permanent water right

and shall be subject to cancellation by the Board at any time within

its term in accordance with its provisions. A provisional temporary

permit may be renewed three (3) times for the oil and natural gas

industry except in a sole source aquifer.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-880 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-880
Short title
Status: in_force

This act may be cited as the Grand River Dam Authority Act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1801.1 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1801.1
Short title
Status: in_force

This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Oklahoma

Weather Modification Act”.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1324.35 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1324.35
Continuation of certain services
Status: in_force

In the event a corporation provides service within the

boundaries of an incorporated city or town on the date of

organization as a rural water district, the district may continue to

serve in that area as permitted by law.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-105.29 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-105.29
Appropriations of water by the United States
Status: in_force

A. Whenever the proper officers of the United States,

authorized by law to construct works for the utilization of waters

within the state, shall notify the Board that the United States

intends to utilize certain specified waters, the water so described,

and unappropriated at the date of such notice, shall not be subject

to further appropriation under the laws of this state, provided that

upon receipt of notice as hereinabove provided the Board shall

prepare and give public notice by publication in at least two

newspapers qualified to publish such notices in each county or

counties in which such stream system or stream systems are situated,

as may be affected by such proposed withdrawal by the United States.

Provided that in counties in which there is but one such newspaper,

it shall be sufficient to publish the said notice in that newspaper.

Such notice shall be published at least thirty (30) days prior to

the date set for the hearing, setting forth the date, time and

place, together with a general description of the proposed works to

be constructed by the United States and location in such stream

system, the volume of water requested under such withdrawal and any

other pertinent information that will be helpful in apprising all

interested parties as to the probable effect of such withdrawal by

the United States. Interested parties may make oral statements for

the record at such hearing, or they may present written statements

at the hearing or before the hearing, to the Board at its offices.

After the hearing the Board shall consider all evidence submitted at

the hearing and determine if the proposed withdrawal is in harmony

with the best interests of the state. Provided further, if the

Board finds that the withdrawal of waters requested is not in the

best interests of the state, then the Board shall:

1. Have the authority to reduce the amount of water requested

for withdrawal; and/or

2. Attach such conditions to the proposed withdrawal as the

Board deems in harmony with the best interests of the state; or

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 33

3. Reject the request for withdrawal in its entirety. Provided

further, that the Board shall notify the United States, or its

proper officers, of its findings within thirty (30) days after the

final decision has been reached by the Board. Provided further,

that if the Board approves the withdrawal of all or a part of the

waters requested to be withdrawn by the United States or its

authorized officers, such officers shall, within a period of three

(3) years from the date of said notice, file plans for the proposed

works in the office of the Board for its information and no adverse

claim to the use of the waters approved for withdrawal required in

connection with such plans initiated subsequent to the date of such

notice shall be recognized under the laws of the state, except as to

such amount of the water described in such notice as may be formally

released in writing by an officer of the United States, thereunder

duly authorized; provided, that in case of failure to file plans for

the proposed work within three (3) years, as herein required, the

water approved for withdrawal specified in the notice given by the

United States to the Board shall become public water, subject to

general appropriation; provided further that in case the proposed

work as detailed in the plans to be filed as herein required is not

commenced and continued with due diligence within eight (8) years

from the date of filing of the plans with the Board, the water

approved for withdrawal specified in the request for withdrawal

shall become public water subject to general appropriation;

provided, that when actions relating to project authorization for

initiation of construction are delayed pending actions of the

Congress, or water right adjudications by the state, national

emergencies or other valid and good reasons, the Board may extend

the period beyond eight (8) years within which work may be commenced

or resumed as provided herein by making a finding of fact and filing

a report in the office of the Board that it is the opinion of the

Board that releasing the waters involved to general appropriation

may be detrimental to the best interests of the state and the area

involved. Such finding shall state specifically the additional time

to be granted within which proposed work on the project or projects,

covered by plans, shall be commenced or resumed.

B. Any waters withdrawn prior to May 23, 1967, by the United

States under statutes of this state in the stream systems of the

state shall be only those waters necessary for the plans filed for

the project's economic justification and water supply. Any

remaining portion of the waters of such stream system which are not

required for the project as planned by the United States and for

which plans are duly filed with the Board, as hereinabove provided,

shall be subject to general appropriation as provided by state law;

provided further, that any withdrawal notice by the United States

and the filing of project plans by the United States prior to

October 2, 1959, shall be considered as effective and continued in

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 34

full force to the maximum time allowed above from October 2, 1959.

Provided, that as to said water withdrawn by the United States prior

to May 23, 1967, the Board may extend such time for the causes and

in the manner as provided in this act for the extension of time for

the building of works utilizing waters withdrawn after May 23, 1967.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-277.15 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-277.15
Payment of claims against district
Status: in_force

No claims for goods or services shall be paid by the district

until the claims have been allowed by the board. The claims shall

be paid only upon warrants signed by the manager and countersigned

by the secretary-treasurer. The warrants shall state the date

authorized by the board and for what purpose. No warrant shall be

issued or obligation incurred unless the district has sufficient

funds on hand to pay such warrant when it is presented for payment.

The district shall keep records of each warrant as issued and as

presented for payment, showing the date and amount of such warrant,

to whom payable, the date of the presentation for payment, and the

date of payment. All warrants shall be drawn payable to the

claimant or bearer.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.45 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.45
Compliance with Central Purchasing act
Status: in_force

In the administration of the program of financial assistance

authorized under the provisions of Section 1085.32 et seq. of Title

82 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the Board shall comply with all

applicable provisions of the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act,

including but not limited to those provisions requiring competitive

bidding on Board purchases and acquisitions.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-105.8 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-105.8
Decree - Contents - Copies to be filed
Status: in_force

Upon the adjudication of the rights of the use of the waters of

a stream system, two or more certified copies of the decree shall be

prepared by the clerk of the court, at the cost of the parties, and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 20

one copy shall be filed in the office of the Board and the other in

the office of the registrar of deeds of each county in which such

stream system is situated. Such decree shall in every case declare,

as to the water right adjudged to each party, the priority, amount,

purpose, place of use and, as to water used for irrigation, the

specific tracts of land to which it shall be appurtenant together

with such other conditions as may be necessary to define the right

and its priority.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.25 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.25
Examination of proceedings by Attorney General -
Status: in_force

Incontestability.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 225

Within ten (10) days after the sale or sales of said investment

certificates, the Attorney General of the State of Oklahoma shall

examine all of the proceedings of the Commission and all resolutions

passed and actions taken by it in connection with the authorization,

issuance and sale of such investment certificates and shall, if he

finds such investment certificate proceedings and sale to be

constitutional and lawful, execute his certificate and file the same

of record in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of

Oklahoma, which said certificate shall read substantially as

follows:

I have examined all proceedings had in connection with the

issuance of the Water Conservation Storage Investment Certificates

in the aggregate principal amount of $___________, dated ________,

authorized and sold pursuant to ____________, and find said

proceedings and sale to be constitutional, lawful and regular in all

particulars and that said investment certificates will be valid

obligations of the Water Conservation Storage Commission. Unless

suit thereon shall be brought in the Supreme Court of the State of

Oklahoma within thirty (30) days from the date of this certificate,

said investment certificates shall be incontestable for all

purposes.

_____________________ _________________________________

Date Attorney General of the State

of Oklahoma

Upon the filing of such certificate, investment certificates

issued pursuant to proceedings so examined by the Attorney General

shall be incontestable for all purposes upon the expiration of

thirty (30) days from the date of such certificate, unless suit be

brought in the Supreme Court of Oklahoma prior to the expiration of

said period as provided herein. A facsimile of such Attorney

General's certificate shall appear on each investment certificate so

issued. The Supreme Court of Oklahoma is hereby vested with

exclusive jurisdiction over any litigation involving the validity of

any investment certificates issued under this act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-110.9 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-110.9
Records - Disclosure to Board - Notice of flood events
Status: in_force

A. Owners of dams are responsible for keeping accurate records

pertaining to the design, construction, operation and maintenance of

their dams and to make the same available upon request of the

Oklahoma Water Resources Board.

B. Owners of dams must give timely notice to the Board of flood

events or other circumstances that may affect the integrity or

safety of the dam. Said notice must be given as required by rules

of the Board.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1021.7 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1021.7
Promulgation of rules
Status: in_force

The Oklahoma Water Resources Board may promulgate rules to

enforce the provisions of this act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1087.1 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1087.1
Short title
Status: in_force

This act may be cited as the "Oklahoma Weather Modification

Act."
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-613 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-613
Appeal not to delay proceedings - Appeal by directors -
Status: in_force

Waiver by failure to appeal.

No appeal under this act shall be permitted to interrupt or

delay any action or the prosecution of any work under this act.

The board of directors of any district organized under the terms

of this act shall have the right to appeal from any order of the

district court made in any proceeding under this act.

The failure to appeal from any order of the court after the

court acquires jurisdiction of the district in any proceedings under

this act within the time specified herein shall constitute a waiver

of any irregularity in the proceedings, and the remedies provided

for in this act shall exclude all other remedies except as herein

provided. Any person having been awarded damages under the

provisions of this act may demand and receive the amount awarded to

him, as damages without prejudice to his right of appeal from said

award.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-562 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-562
Board of Directors to organize - Records
Status: in_force

Each director before entering upon his official duties shall

take and subscribe to the Constitutional oath before a suitable

officer and further that he will honestly, faithfully and

impartially perform the duties of his office, and that he will not

be interested directly or indirectly in any contract let by said

district, which said oath shall be filed in the office of the clerk

of said court in the original case. Upon taking the oath, the Board

of Directors shall choose one of their number President of the

Board, and shall elect some suitable person Secretary of the Board,

who may or may not be a member of the Board. Upon organization of

the Board of Directors, and as often thereafter as may be necessary

to correctly reflect all changes therein, a certificate shall be

filed in the initial case, by the President of the Board, setting

forth the names, addresses and official titles of all officers of

the District. Such Board shall adopt a seal, and shall keep in a

well-bound book a record of all its proceedings, minutes of all

meetings, certificates, contracts, bonds given by employees and all

corporate acts, which record and proceedings, so recorded, shall be

signed by the said Board of Directors or such members of said Board,

concurring in said acts or proceedings, at the time of the making of

such record or on date of the first meeting of the Board thereafter,

which shall be open to the inspection of the owners of property in

the district, as well as to all other interested parties, said

record is hereby declared to be the official record of the district,

and shall be conclusive evidence as to all actions, proceedings and

notices and the contents thereof affecting said district.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.12a — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.12a
Executive Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources
Status: in_force

Board; absence or vacancy.

For intrastate or interstate compacts or commissions on which

the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board is a

member or otherwise is required to perform specified services, the

Executive Director, in the event of the Executive Director's

temporary absence, may delegate the exercise of such powers and

duties to a designee during the Executive Director's absence. In

the event of a vacancy in the position of Executive Director, the

Board may designate an interim or acting Commissioner and designee

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 219

who is authorized to exercise such powers and duties until a

permanent Executive Director is employed.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-521 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-521
County commissioners - Duties concerning conservation -
Status: in_force

Cooperation with State Board.

The board of county commissioners of the various counties of the

State of Oklahoma are hereby authorized to cooperate with the

Conservation Commission of the State of Oklahoma in all instances

where such cooperation is necessary and will expedite the provisions

of this act or any other act to which this act is cumulative, and

such boards are further empowered and authorized to devise methods

and means to stop and/or prevent soil erosion or soil drifting in

their respective counties. In any county or any part thereof of the

state where the Conservation Commission of the State of Oklahoma has

not exercised its powers for the prevention and control of soil

erosion, the board of county commissioners may order the land

subject to soil erosion and drifting to be cultivated, plowed,

listed or planted, or may in any other manner take such steps as are

necessary to prevent such soil erosion and drifting. Upon any such

order being made by the board of county commissioners, all owners of

land within the district designated by the board of county

commissioners shall forthwith take such steps as are designated by

said board and in case any land owner shall fail or refuse to comply

therewith, the board of county commissioners is hereby authorized to

employ agents to go upon the land of any such person who shall fail

or refuse to comply with such orders, for the purpose of plowing,

ditching, listing or planting the same to prevent soil erosion and

drifting, and said board of county commissioners is hereby expressly

authorized to assess reasonable charges for such services against

such lands affected thereby, which charges and assessments shall be

levied and collected as other taxes on real estate; provided, that

no order for the plowing, ditching, listing or planting of any lands

in any given area shall be ordered by any board of county

commissioners unless and until sixty percent (60%) of the land

owners of such area have filed with such board of county

commissioners written requests for such action.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1121 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1121
Authorization for port authority to borrow money and
Status: in_force

issue bonds.

For the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of

acquiring land or interests therein, and the cost of constructing,

acquiring, equipping, and furnishing buildings, structures, plants,

docks, wharves, warehouses, piers and other port, terminal and

transportation facilities, or any part thereof; including

additions, improvements, relocations, renovations, extensions and

modifications thereof, (all of which as are included in single

project are hereafter referred to in this act as "facility or

facilities"), a port authority created pursuant to 82 O.S.1961,

Section 1102, is authorized to borrow money upon credit of the

income and revenues to be derived from the operation of such

facilities, together with any other available income and revenues

from other revenue-producing facilities of such port authority, and

to issue negotiable bonds of such port authority in such amount as

the board of directors of the port authority shall deem necessary

for the purpose; and to provide for payment of such bonds and

rights of holders thereof as herein provided.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1020.21 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1020.21
Wells within municipalities
Status: in_force

A municipality has the authority to regulate or permit the

drilling of domestic and industrial water wells within its corporate

limits. A municipality may use the water allocated to the platted

land within its corporate limits provided the municipality can make

water available to the platted land, and a permit therefor is

obtained from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Wells may be

located within its corporate limits or outside the corporate limits.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1085.15 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1085.15
Cooperation
Status: in_force

All state institutions, agencies, departments, boards and

officers are hereby authorized and directed to cooperate with the

Oklahoma Water Resources Board in all matters relating to its

duties.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-526.3 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-526.3
Approval by Texas and New Mexico - Consent of Congress
Status: in_force

The ratification and approval of said Compact by this state

shall not be binding or obligatory until it shall have been likewise

approved by the Legislature of the State of Texas and the

Legislature of the State of New Mexico and consented to by the

Congress of the United States of America.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 69
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-110.7 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-110.7
Supervision of dam safety program
Status: in_force

The dam safety program authorized by this act shall be

supervised within the Oklahoma Water Resources Board by an engineer

registered with the State Board of Registration for Professional

Engineers and Land Surveyors or successor agency and who shall have

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 38

practical training or experience concerning the analysis, design,

and construction of dams and reservoirs.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-665 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-665
Subdistricts - Administration
Status: in_force

Whenever it is desired to construct improvements wholly within

or partly within and partly without any district organized under

this act, which improvements will affect only a part of said

district, for the purpose of accomplishing such work, subdistricts

may be organized upon petition of the owners of real property,

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 122

within or partly within and partly without the district, which

petition shall fulfill the same requirements concerning the

subdistricts as the petition outlined in Section 4 of this act is

required to fulfill concerning the organization of the main

district, and shall be filed with the clerk of the same district

court, and shall be accompanied by a bond as provided for in Section

5 of this act. All proceedings relating to such subdistricts shall

conform in all things to the provisions of this act relating to the

organization of districts. Whenever the court shall, by its order

duly entered of record, declare and decree such subdistricts to be

organized, the clerk of said court shall thereupon give notice of

such order to the directors of the district, who shall thereupon act

also as directors of the subdistricts. Thereafter, the proceedings

in reference to the subdistricts shall in all matters conform to the

provisions of this act; except that in appraisal of benefits and

damages for the purposes of such subdistricts, in the issuance of

bonds, in the levying of assessments or taxes, and in all other

matters affecting only the subdistricts, the provisions of this act

shall apply to this subdistrict as though it were an independent

district, and it shall not, in these things be amalgamated with the

main district.

The board of directors, board of appraisers, chief engineer,

attorney, secretary and other agents and employees of the district

shall, so far as it may be necessary, serve in the same capacities

for such subdistrict, and contracts and agreements between the main

district and the subdistrict may be made in the same manner as

contracts and agreements between two districts. The distribution of

administrative expense between the main district and subdistrict

shall be in proportion to the interests involved and the amount of

service rendered, such division to be made by the board of directors

with an appeal to the court establishing the district. This section

shall not be held to prevent the organization of independent

districts for local improvements under other laws, within the limits

of a district organized under this act, as provided in Sections 59

and 60 of this act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1273 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1273
Right of aggrieved persons to petition district court
Status: in_force

Any person aggrieved by the service furnished or rates charged

by said water district shall have the right to petition said

grievance from the decision or action of said water district, to the

district court wherein said water district was formed, and upon said

petition being filed, the district court shall hear the petition de

novo, and is empowered to make such orders as may be necessary and

proper.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 305
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1087.13 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1087.13
Publication of notice of intention
Status: in_force

A. The applicant shall cause the notice of intention, or that

portion thereof including the items specified in Section 12 of this

act, to be published at least once a week for two (2) consecutive

weeks in a newspaper having a general circulation and published

within any county in which the operation is to be conducted and in

which the affected area is located, or, if the operation is to be

conducted in more than one county or if the affected area is located

in more than one county or is located in a county other than the one

in which the operation is to be conducted, then in a newspaper

having a general circulation and published within each of such

counties. In case there is no newspaper published within the

appropriate county, publication shall be made in a newspaper having

a general circulation within the county.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 82. Waters and Water Rights Page 274

B. Proof of publication together with publisher's affidavit,

shall be filed by the licensee with the Board within fifteen (15)

days from the date of the last publication of the notice.

C. Provided, that upon declaration of emergency drought

conditions within any county or counties of this state by

proclamation by the Governor or by concurrent resolution by the

Legislature, the provisions of this act requiring notice by

publication of intent to perform any weather modification operation

may be suspended.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-105.15 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-105.15
Time for commencement of works
Status: in_force

A. Any permit shall expire unless the applicant begins

construction of the works within two (2) years of the issuance of

the permit by the Board. The Board may, as necessary and deemed

appropriate under the circumstances, extend the time for the

beginning of construction beyond the time allowed in the permit for

good cause shown, such as engineering difficulty or other valid

reason over which the applicant has no control.

B. If the Board does not receive a written notice of

commencement of works or request to extend time within thirty (30)

days after the end of the two-year period, the permit shall be

deemed expired after written notice to the applicant.

C. Provided, nothing in this section shall be construed as

extending the time within which the waters authorized for use must

be placed to actual beneficial use as provided in the permit and

Sections 105.16 through 105.18 of this title.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1324.21 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1324.21
Release of lands from district - Petition - Notice
Status: in_force

In the event that landowners within a district desire to

withdraw from such district, fifty-one percent (51%) of the affected

landowners or the board of directors by resolution may petition the

county commissioners to release those lands from the district. The

petition shall describe by section or fraction thereof and by

township and range the lands affected. After a finding that the

granting of the petition is to the best interests of the affected

landowners and the district, the board of county commissioners shall

issue a certificate stating that the lands involved are released and

separated from the district. Full minutes of the hearing shall be

entered in the journal of the board of county commissioners and the

certificate shall be delivered to the secretary of the district who

shall, within thirty (30) days, cause the records of the district to

be amended to exclude the lands affected. Notice shall be given, as

provided in Section 1324.5 of this title, of the filing of a

petition for release of lands as provided herein, fixing the time

and place of hearing, and a copy of said notice shall be sent by

certified mail to the chairman of the board of directors of the

district in which the said lands are located.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-1501-802 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-1501-802
Act not to limit authority of other agencies
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in this act shall be interpreted to reduce

conflict with or limit any power or authority granted in any act of

the Legislature of this state to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board

or any other agency of the government of this state or to any

county, municipality, special purpose district or other local

governmental subdivision of this state, or to any research or

educational institution supported wholly or in part with public

funds and operating in this state.
Okla. Stat. tit. 82, § 82-643 — OK Code / Title 82 / Section 82-643
Assessment book to be prima facie evidence
Status: in_force

The "Delinquent Conservancy Book" of the district court shall be

prima facie evidence in all courts of all matters therein contained.