ORS § 545.369 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 545 / Section 545.369
545.369 Release of lien of bonds
Status: in_force

The board of directors may then proceed to obtain releases of the lien of all outstanding bonds against the property it is proposed to sell. Release of the lien shall be in writing and acknowledged by the holders of the bonds in substantially the same manner and form as is required for a conveyance of land. However, the notary or other officer taking the acknowledgment shall include in the certificate of acknowledgment, or in another appropriate certificate, the fact that the bonds described in the instrument were exhibited to the notary or other officer by the bondholder making the acknowledgment. The acknowledgment shall have the same force and effect as evidence as has the acknowledgment of a conveyance. The certificate of the officer taking the acknowledgment that the bonds were exhibited shall be conclusive evidence of the ownership of the bonds by the person executing and acknowledging the release. The acknowledged release shall be filed with the board and recorded in its minutes. The minutes, or a copy thereof certified by the secretary of the board, shall be admissible in evidence with the same effect as the original of the acknowledged release. [Formerly 545.146]

Source: Section 545.369 — Release of lien of bonds; form; acknowledgment by bondholders; copy of release as evidence , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors545.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 547.083 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 547 / Section 547.083
547.083 Owner or occupant liable for repair expense
Status: in_force

(1) Upon completion of the work the board of supervisors shall bill the owner or occupant of the premises for the expense necessarily incurred in the repair, grading or cleaning of the flood control project.

(2) If any charge remains unpaid beyond the due date thereof, the secretary of the district may file a notice of claim of lien with the county clerk of the county in which the lands for which the charges were billed are situated. The notice of lien shall be in writing and must contain:

(a) The name of the landowner or occupier who was billed.

(b) A statement of the amount claimed past due.

(c) A description of the land upon which the work was completed sufficient for identification.

(3) The county clerk shall cause the notice of lien to be recorded in the County Clerk Lien Record maintained under ORS 205.125 (County Clerk Lien Record) . The amount of the charges and expense, as of the date the notice of lien is filed, shall constitute a first lien upon the lands or premises, except as to taxes. If the charges and expenses are not paid and the lien discharged by the owner or occupant within 30 days from the date the notice is filed, suit or action may be brought in the name of the drainage district for the foreclosure of the lien. The suit or action shall be brought by the district attorney, or, at the option of the board, by an attorney employed by the board. The lands affected thereby shall be sold under execution for the payment and satisfaction of the lien and of the costs and disbursements incurred in connection with the prosecution of the suit or action. [2015 c.544 §12]

Note: See note under 547.063 (Definitions) .

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS; ADMINISTRATION; SURETY BONDS; WARRANTS

Source: Section 547.083 — Owner or occupant liable for repair expense; notice and recordation of lien , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors547.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 536.238 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 536 / Section 536.238
536.238 Policy on water storage facilities
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislative Assembly finds and declares that:

(a) The water resources of the state are critical to the economic and recreational well-being of the people of Oregon.

(b) The future vitality of the state’s economy depends on immediate planning to insure future availability of water resources.

(c) Measures to insure adequate water resources to meet the needs of future generations of Oregonians must be pursued.

(d) The potential for a future shortage of water poses serious risks to public health, safety and welfare and therefore is a matter of statewide concern.

(2) Therefore, the Legislative Assembly, in addressing the problem of how to insure adequate water resources for in-stream and out-of-stream uses in the future, declares that it is a high priority of the state to both:

(a) Develop environmentally acceptable and financially feasible multipurpose water storage facilities; and

(b) Enhance watershed storage capacity through natural processes using nonstructural means. [1993 c.386 §1]

Note: 536.238 (Policy on water storage facilities) was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 536 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 536.238 — Policy on water storage facilities , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors536.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 540.621 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 540 / Section 540.621
540.621 Cancellation of abandoned water right upon request of owner
Status: in_force

Whenever the owner of a perfected and developed water right certifies under oath to the Water Resources Commission that the water right has been abandoned by the owner and that the owner desires cancellation thereof, the commission shall enter an order canceling the water right. Effective upon the date of the entering of such order, the water which was the subject of use under the water right shall revert to the public and become again the subject of appropriation in the manner provided by law, subject to existing priorities. [1955 c.670 §1; 1979 c.67 §5; 1985 c.673 §96]

Source: Section 540.621 — Cancellation of abandoned water right upon request of owner , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors540.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 545.237 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 545 / Section 545.237
545.237 Right to enter upon lands for inspection and maintenance of water works
Status: in_force

(1) The board of directors, its officers or an agent or employee of the board of directors may enter upon land of a water user of the district for inspection, maintenance and regulation of ditches, pipelines, gates, pumps or other water works. In the absence of an emergency, the district shall provide adequate and appropriate notice prior to entering upon the land of the water user.

(2) Any person exercising the right of entry granted under this section shall not cause unnecessary damage to the property of the water user. The landowner shall not be responsible to the person or the district for any injury or damage to the person or district arising out of or occurring by reason of the entry, except when the landowner intentionally causes injury or damage to the person or district.

(3) The right of entry granted by this section shall not constitute a right of entry by the public onto the premises of the landowner. [Formerly 545.081]

Source: Section 545.237 — Right to enter upon lands for inspection and maintenance of water works , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors545.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 537.787 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 537 / Section 537.787
537.787 Investigation of violation of ground water laws
Status: in_force

(1) The Water Resources Commission, upon the commission’s own initiative, or upon complaint alleging violation of any provision of ORS 537.505 (Short title) to 537.795 (ORS 537.505 to 537.795 supplementary) and 537.992 (Civil penalties) , or any rule adopted pursuant thereto, may investigate to determine whether a violation has occurred. If the investigation indicates that a violation has occurred, the commission shall notify the persons responsible for the violation, including:

(a) Any well constructor involved; and

(b) The landowner, if the violation involves construction, alteration, operation, abandonment or conversion of a well.

(2) If, after notice and opportunity for hearing under ORS chapter 183 the commission determines that one or more violations have occurred, the commission may:

(a) Provide additional time for remedy of the violation if the commission has reason to believe adequate repair or other remedy will be carried out within the specified period.

(b) If one or more persons responsible for the violation hold a water well constructor’s license, suspend, revoke or refuse to renew the license.

(c) Assess a civil penalty under ORS 537.992 (Civil penalties) , on the well constructor or other responsible party, including the landowner if the landowner was involved in the well construction.

(d) If an involved constructor or landowner has a surety bond required by ORS 537.753 (Bond or letter of credit) (1) or (4) in effect, make demand on the bond in an amount not to exceed the cost of remedying the violation.

(e) Impose any reasonable condition on the water well constructor’s license to insure compliance with applicable laws and provide protection to the ground water of the State of Oregon. Such action shall be conducted as a contested case proceeding according to the applicable provisions of ORS chapter 183.

(f) Any other action authorized by law.

(3) The commission may terminate proceedings against a person if:

(a) The landowner does not permit the person involved in proceedings to be present at any inspection made by the commission; or

(b) The commission determines that the person involved in proceedings is capable of complying with recommendations made by the commission, but the landowner does not permit the person to comply with the recommendations. [1985 c.615 §5; 1985 c.673 §199; 1999 c.293 §6]

Source: Section 537.787 — Investigation of violation of ground water laws; remedies for violation , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors537.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 548.360 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 548 / Section 548.360
548.360 Moneys and securities
Status: in_force

All moneys and securities received under ORS 548.350 (Hearing) may be deposited with the State Treasurer for safekeeping. [Amended by 1989 c.182 §36]

Source: Section 548.360 — Moneys and securities; custody , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors548.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 554.440 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 554 / Section 554.440
554.440 Malheur Improvement Company
Status: in_force

(1) Any person holding land within the Malheur Improvement Company district created under chapter 172, Oregon Laws 1911, who desires to have the land of the person excluded from the Malheur Improvement Company district, may file a petition with the secretary of such district. The petition shall be in writing, verified, and shall set forth the description of the lands desired to be excluded, and the reasons for such exclusion. Likewise, any person owning lands without such district who desires to have the lands of the person included within the district, may file a petition with the secretary, which petition shall be in writing, verified, and shall set forth the reasons why the land should be included in the district, and further, that the lands are susceptible of irrigation or drainage, as the case may be, from the system of works of the district.

(2) The secretary shall present any such petition at the next meeting of the board of directors of the improvement company. The board shall fix a time for the hearing thereof, either at a special meeting of the members of the corporation called for the purpose, or at the next regular annual meeting of the members. At such meeting, the petitioners may present witnesses and be represented either in person or by attorney, to establish the allegations set forth in the petition. Upon such hearing, the matter of including or excluding such lands from the district shall be put to a vote of the members, and if a majority vote of the members owning lands in the district is in favor of the relief asked for in the petition, then an order shall be made in the minutes in accordance with such vote.

(3) The secretary shall thereupon make a certificate certifying to the fact of the filing of such petition and the hearing thereon, and the action taken by the members of the district, and in such certificate shall describe the land included or excluded from the district, as the case may be. The secretary shall submit the certificate to the Office of the Secretary of State for filing and shall file a true copy of the certificate with the county clerk of the county where the lands are situated. From and after the filing of the certificate by the Secretary of State the land described in the certificate shall be included or excluded, as the case may be, in or from the improvement company district.

(4) The articles of incorporation of the Malheur Improvement Company shall upon the filing of the certificate by the Secretary of State, and without any procedure other than as in this section provided, be deemed amended to include or exclude, as the case may be, the lands described in such certificate; provided, however, that any land within such improvement company district, and excluded therefrom on petition, shall not be relieved from the payment of its proportion of any bonded indebtedness created and outstanding of the company, prior to the exclusion of such lands therefrom. Lands without the improvement company district, and included therein by petition, shall be subject to any assessment thereafter levied by the company, whether for bonded indebtedness or otherwise. [Amended by 1987 c.94 §157]

Source: Section 554.440 — Malheur Improvement Company; exclusion or inclusion of land , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors554.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 547.510 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 547 / Section 547.510
547.510 Form of crop lien claim
Status: in_force

(1) A claim for lien substantially in the following form shall be sufficient:

Notice is given that_____, a drainage district organized under and pursuant to the provisions of ORS chapter 547, claims a lien upon that certain crop of _____ growing on the following described lands located in the drainage district in _____ County, Oregon:_____, for that portion of the annual charges or assessments levied by the above-named drainage district against lands, or owners or occupants of the lands, on which the crop is growing, for maintenance and operation of the district, in the sum of $___; that the name of the owner or reputed owner of the crop is_____; that the owner of the land on which the crop is growing is_____; that no part of the charge or assessment for which a lien herein is claimed has been paid, except $___; and that there now is due and remaining unpaid thereon, after deducting all just credits and offsets, the sum of $___.

____________, Claimant.

State of Oregon, )

) ss.

County )

of______ )

I, ____________, being first duly sworn, on oath say that I am _____ of the drainage district named in the foregoing claim, that I have personal knowledge of the facts therein set out; that I know the contents thereof, and believe the same to be true.

____________

Subscribed and sworn to before me this ___ day of_____, 2___.

____________

Notary Public for Oregon

(Seal) My commission expires________.

(2) The lien so created may be foreclosed in the manner provided in ORS 79.0601 (UCC 9-601. Rights after default) to 79.0628 (UCC 9-628. Nonliability and limitation on liability of secured party) . [Amended by 1961 c.726 §418; 1991 c.459 §425s; 2001 c.445 §176]

Source: Section 547.510 — Form of crop lien claim; foreclosure , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors547.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 545.113 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 545 / Section 545.113
545.113 State agency to pay assessment and charges or to petition for exclusion
Status: in_force

Every state agency acquiring land within the boundaries of an irrigation district shall:

(1) Pay all assessments and other charges that may be lawfully charged by the irrigation district and that are chargeable to the owner or occupier of the land; or

(2) File with the board of directors of the district a petition requesting that the land be excluded from the district in accordance with ORS 545.097 (Exclusion of tracts) to 545.126 (Liability of excluded lands for district’s obligations) . [Formerly 545.615]

Source: Section 545.113 — State agency to pay assessment and charges or to petition for exclusion , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors545.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 537.385 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 537 / Section 537.385
537.385 Extension of irrigation season
Status: in_force

(1) Notwithstanding any condition or limitation of a water right permit issued under ORS 537.211 (Issuance of permit if application approved) or 537.625 (Final order) or a water right certificate issued under ORS 537.250 (Water right certificate) , 537.630 (Time allowed for construction work under permit) or 539.140 (Water right certificates) , upon receipt of a request by the State Department of Agriculture, the Water Resources Commission may, by rule, extend the irrigation season of a subbasin beyond the period established by adjudication, by rule or by condition imposed on a permit or certificate, if the commission finds:

(a) Water is available during the period of the extended irrigation season;

(b) Water use during the extended season would not impair in-stream flows that are necessary to protect aquatic resources; and

(c) Water diversion and use during the period of the extended season would not impair the achievement or maintenance of water quality standards as established for the water source by the Department of Environmental Quality.

(2) If the source of water identified in the request is stored water and water is available from the storage source during the period of the extended irrigation season, the commission may extend the irrigation season as requested without making the findings required by subsection (1) of this section. However, use of water during the extended period shall be limited to the stored water.

(3) In order to ensure that use of water during an extended irrigation season does not injure existing and future water rights, use of water during the extended period of the irrigation season shall be subordinated to all existing and future water rights.

(4) Use of water during the extended irrigation season shall comply with all conditions and limitations of the permit or certificate, including the rate, duty and place of use of the right.

(5) Use of water shall be regulated among irrigators for whom the season has been extended during the extended irrigation season according to the priority date of the permit or certificate. [1995 c.356 §1; 2007 c.187 §1]

Note: 537.385 (Extension of irrigation season) was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 537 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 537.385 — Extension of irrigation season; rules; limitations , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors537.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 548.320 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 548 / Section 548.320
548.320 Lien on lands
Status: in_force

The contract may provide for a lien docket which shall be furnished by the district to the county clerk of each county in which lands of the district are situated, and in which shall be set forth a description of the lands within the district and liable under such bonds, described under the present individual ownership by metes and bounds or by calls or by reference to recorded deeds, together with the total amount of refunding bonds charged against each parcel of land, the amount of annual payments thereof, the date of such payment and the rate of interest. This charge shall remain a lien on such tract or parcel of land in favor of the district and shall have priority over all other liens and encumbrances except the lien of state, county and municipal taxes. If the contract does not provide for a lien docket nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent an irrigation or drainage district from providing a lien docket as prescribed by law. In case any lands located within an irrigation or drainage district are sold for taxes such sale shall not operate to extinguish any lien appearing on the lien docket and payable at a future time.

Source: Section 548.320 — Lien on lands; lien docket; priority; sale of land for taxes not to extinguish lien , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors548.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 554.060 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 554 / Section 554.060
554.060 Challenge to validity of organization
Status: in_force

(1) No action, suit or proceeding shall be maintained for the purpose of questioning the sufficiency or correctness of any statement within the articles of incorporation when the provisions of ORS 554.005 (Filing requirements) to 554.340 (Judicial determination of legality of proceedings) with respect thereto have been substantially complied with.

(2) No error in the description of any tract or parcel of land included in such district or in naming the owner thereof shall affect the incorporation or relieve the land from the same unless the owner has been materially prejudiced, misled or injured thereby, and has instituted proceedings because of same within three months after actual notice in any manner brought to the owner. Notwithstanding any error, defect or omission in the articles of incorporation in such case, the corporation is hereby declared to be a legally organized corporation as to all such owners. [Amended by 1987 c.94 §147; 2013 c.284 §7]

Source: Section 554.060 — Challenge to validity of organization; effect of defects or omissions , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors554.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 545.422 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 545 / Section 545.422
545.422 Nonperformance by board
Status: in_force

In case of neglect or refusal of the board of directors to have the assessment and levy made, the assessment and levy shall be made and equalized by the county court of the county in which the office of the board of directors is situated. The county court, while sitting for the transaction of county business, shall make the assessments and levy in the same manner that the court levies county taxes. An assessment and levy made by the county court shall have the same effect as an assessment and levy made by the board of directors. All expenses incident to an assessment and levy made by a county court under this section shall be borne by the district. The levy and assessment shall be entered on the county tax roll by the county assessor in the manner provided in ORS 545.420 (Certification of assessments to county assessors) . [Formerly 545.454]

Source: Section 545.422 — Nonperformance by board; assessment, levy and equalization by county court , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors545.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 545.095 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 545 / Section 545.095
545.095 Charges or assessments for improvements within subdistrict
Status: in_force

The cost of constructing, purchasing, operating, maintaining and improving the works described in an engineering plan for a subdistrict shall be charged to the owners of the lands, or assessed against the lands, benefited by the works in proportion to the benefits to be received by each tract of land. The charges or assessments shall be in addition to the regular charges or assessments of the district under ORS 545.471 (Charges for water supply) . Only the lands or owners within a subdistrict shall be liable for, charged with or in any manner assessed for the payment of judgments, claims, damages, costs, expenses, debts or other liabilities of or against a district that arise out of or are incurred in the constructing, purchasing, operating, maintaining or improving of the works of the subdistrict. [1999 c.356 §4]

Note: See note under 545.093 (Creation of subdistricts) .

Source: Section 545.095 — Charges or assessments for improvements within subdistrict , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors545.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 547.690 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 547 / Section 547.690
547.690 Judicial confirmation
Status: in_force

Bonds authorized and issued under ORS 547.655 (Authority to adopt alternative procedure) to 547.685 (Retirement of bonds before maturity) may be confirmed by a court of competent jurisdiction in the manner provided by ORS 548.105 (Authority of boards to maintain proceedings for judicial determination as to organization of district and other matters) to 548.115 (Elector’s right to maintain proceedings) .

Source: Section 547.690 — Judicial confirmation , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors547.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 543a.095 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 543a / Section 543a.095
543A.095 Draft application
Status: in_force

(1) Not later than one year before the applicant files a final application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reauthorize the federal license for the hydroelectric project, the applicant shall file with the Hydroelectric Application Review Team:

(a) A draft application for a water right for the project, which shall be the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission draft application; and

(b) Information regarding potential water quality impacts of the project.

(2) The applicant shall provide the team with copies of any agency and public comment submitted to the applicant in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission proceedings or in the state reauthorization proceedings.

(3) The applicant shall include with the application required under subsection (1) of this section the final report on the studies conducted pursuant to ORS 543A.085 (Public scoping meeting) .

(4) Upon receipt of the draft application, the team shall identify in writing to the applicant any informational and analytical deficiencies. Subject to any identified deficiencies, the team shall prepare a provisional state position on:

(a) Whether, and under what conditions, the Water Resources Department should issue the water right;

(b) Whether the project would comply with ORS 468B.040 (Certification of hydroelectric power project) and water quality standards adopted by the Environmental Quality Commission, and what conditions might be appropriate under 33 U.S.C. 1341(d); and

(c) Recommendations to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under 16 U.S.C. 803(j).

(5) Upon completion of the provisional state position, the team shall give public notice of the availability of the provisional state position. The notice shall allow 30 days for the public to comment on the provisional state position.

(6) Based on comments received during the 30-day public comment period allowed under subsection (5) of this section, the team may revise the provisional state position. The team also shall resolve any conflict between agencies about the provisional state position.

(7) After considering agency and public comments, resolving interagency conflicts and making any necessary revisions, but no later than 160 days before the date by which the final application must be filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the team shall provide the applicant with the provisional unified position of the state. However, the provisional unified position shall not constitute a final agency determination or action under any authority. [1997 c.449 §19; 2001 c.369 §3]

Source: Section 543A.095 — Draft application , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors543A.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 549.400 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 549 / Section 549.400
549.400 Obstruction, befoulment or pollution of ditch prohibited
Status: in_force

No person shall throw, dump, place or allow to be thrown, dumped or placed, any rubbish, refuse or any article or thing in any ditch, lateral, canal, slough, waterway or conduit constructed, operated or maintained under the provisions of ORS 549.310 (Application of ORS 549.320 to 549.400) to 549.390 (Appeal from order authorizing work or assessing damages) , or befoul, pollute or allow to be befouled or polluted any such ditch, lateral, canal, slough or conduit.

Source: Section 549.400 — Obstruction, befoulment or pollution of ditch prohibited , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors549.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 554.530 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 554 / Section 554.530
554.530 Application
Status: in_force

The application of the landowner shall:

(1) Be in writing and certified by the applicant.

(2) State the legal description of the land the applicant wishes either included in or excluded from the corporation.

(3) Contain a brief statement of the reason for request of the inclusion or exclusion of the lands of the landowner, and if the request is to include lands, a statement that the lands will be benefited by being included in the corporation.

(4) Be accompanied by a deposit in an amount to be determined by the corporation to pay the expenses of holding a meeting of the members to consider the application, including the cost of publishing notice of the meeting. After payment of such expenses, the balance of such deposit, if any, shall be returned to the applicant by the corporation.

(5) Be filed with the officer or clerk in charge of the principal office of the corporation. [1963 c.103 §4]

Source: Section 554.530 — Application; contents; deposit; filing , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors554.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 539.140 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 539 / Section 539.140
539.140 Water right certificates
Status: in_force

Upon the final determination of the rights to the waters of any stream, the Water Resources Department shall issue to each person represented in the determination a certificate setting forth the name and post-office address of the owner of the right; the priority of the date, extent and purpose of the right, and if the water is for irrigation purposes, a description of the legal subdivisions of land to which the water is appurtenant. The original certificate shall be mailed to the owner and a record of the certificate maintained in the Water Resources Department. [Amended by 1971 c.621 §38; 1975 c.607 §41; 1979 c.67 §4; 1991 c.102 §8]

Source: Section 539.140 — Water right certificates , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors539.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 547.315 — OR Code / Title 45 / Chapter 547 / Section 547.315
547.315 Connecting existing improvements
Status: in_force

(1) At the time of the construction in any district of the plan for reclamation, all ditches or systems of drainage already constructed in the district and all watercourses shall, if necessary to the drainage of any lands in the district, be connected with and made a part of the works and improvements of the plan of drainage of the district. But no ditches, drains or systems of drainage constructed in the district shall be connected therewith, unless the consent of the board of supervisors is first obtained. This consent shall be in writing and shall particularly describe the method, terms and conditions of such connection, and shall be approved by the chief engineer. The connections, if made, shall be in strict accord with the method, terms and conditions laid down in the consent.

(2) If the landowners wishing to make such connection are refused by the board of supervisors or decline to accept the consent granted, such owners may file a petition for such connection in the circuit court having jurisdiction in the district, and the matter in dispute shall in a summary manner be decided by the court, whose decision shall be final and binding on the district and landowners.

(3) No connection with the works or improvements of the plan of drainage of the district or with any ditch, drain or artificial drainage wholly within the district shall be made, caused or effected by any landowner, company or corporation, municipal or private, by means of or with any ditch, drain, cut, fill, roadbed, levee, embankment or artificial drainage wholly without the limits of the district, unless such connection is consented to by the board of supervisors, or in the manner hereinbefore provided.

Source: Section 547.315 — Connecting existing improvements; procedure; connection with improvements outside district , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors547.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).