reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
OR Rev Stat § 537.685 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food|Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally|Section 537.685 - Findings of fact and order of determination.

As soon as practicable after compilation of the evidence obtained in proceedings under ORS 537.665 to 537.680, the Water Resources Director shall make and cause to be entered of record in the Water Resources Department findings of fact and an order of determination, determining and establishing the several rights to appropriate the ground water of the ground water reservoir. The findings of fact and order of determination shall also include: (1) The boundaries and depth of each ground water reservoir. (2) The lowest permissible water level in each ground water reservoir. (3) The location, extent, quality and other pertinent characteristics of the ground water supply. (4) The serviceable methods of withdrawal of the ground water from each ground water reservoir. (5) Rules for controlling the use of the ground water from each ground water reservoir. (6) Such general or special rules or restrictions with respect to the construction, operation and protection of wells and the withdrawal of ground water thereby as in the judgment of the director the public welfare, health and safety may require. (7) The name and post-office address of each claimant. (8) The nature of the use of the ground water allowed for each well, together with the maximum permissible use of the ground water, the place of use of the ground water and the date of priority of each use. (9) If the ground water is used or is to be used for irrigation purposes, a description of the lands irrigated or to be irrigated, giving the number of acres irrigated or to be irrigated in each 40-acre legal subdivision. (10) The location of each well with reference to government survey corners or monuments or corners of recorded plats. (11) The depth, diameter and type of each well, the kind and amount of the casing, the capacity of each well in gallons per minute and such other information concerning each well as in the opinion of the director may be pertinent. [1955 c.708 §18; 1991 c.102 §4]
OR Rev Stat § 537.690 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food|Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally|Section 537.690 - Filing evidence, findings and determinations; court proceedings.

The evidence relied upon by the Water Resources Director in the entry of the findings of fact and order of determination under ORS 537.685, together with a copy of such findings and order, shall be certified to by the director and filed with the clerk of the circuit court wherein the determination is to be heard, which shall be the circuit court of any county in which the ground water reservoir or any part thereof is located. A certified copy of the findings of fact and the order of determination shall also be filed with the county clerk of every other county in which the ground water reservoir or any part thereof is located. Thereafter, proceedings shall be had as nearly as possible in the same manner as provided in ORS 539.130 (2), (3) and (4), 539.150, 539.160, 539.170, 539.180, 539.190 and 539.210 for the final adjudication of the relative rights of the various claimants to the waters of any surface stream. [1955 c.708 §19]
OR Rev Stat § 537.695 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food|Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally|Section 537.695 - Conclusive adjudication.

The determination of the Water Resources Director under ORS 537.685, as confirmed or modified by the circuit court or Supreme Court, shall be a conclusive adjudication as to all claimants of rights to appropriate the ground water of each ground water reservoir included within the order of determination. [1955 c.708 §20]
OR Rev Stat § 537.700 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food|Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally|Section 537.700 - Issuing ground water right certificate.

Upon the final determination under ORS 537.670 to 537.695 of the rights to appropriate the ground water of any ground water reservoir, the Water Resources Director shall issue to each person or public agency represented in the determination proceedings and who is determined to have such a right a ground water right 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 ground water is for irrigation purposes, a description of the legal subdivisions of land to which the ground water is appurtenant. [1955 c.708 §21; 1957 c.341 §7; 1969 c.629 §2; 1971 c.621 §36; 1975 c.607 §39; 1979 c.67 §1]
OR Rev Stat § 537.705 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food|Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally|Section 537.705 - Ground water appurtenant; change in use, place of use or point of appropriation.

All ground water used in this state for any purpose shall remain appurtenant to the premises upon which it is used and no change in use or place of use of any ground water for any purpose may be made without compliance with a procedure as nearly as possible like that set forth in ORS 540.520 and 540.530. However, the owner of any ground water right may, upon compliance with a procedure as nearly as possible like that set forth in ORS 540.520 and 540.530, change the use and place of use, the point of appropriation or the use theretofore made of the ground water in all cases without losing priority of the right theretofore established. [1955 c.708 §22]
OR Rev Stat § 537.710 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food|Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally|Section 537.710

[Renumbered 537.800]
OR Rev Stat § 537.720 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food|Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally|Section 537.720 - Violation of terms of law or permit or certificate; action by Water Resources Commission.

Whenever, after notice to and opportunity to be heard by such holder, the Water Resources Commission finds that the holder of any permit or certificate of registration issued under ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992 is willfully violating any provision of the permit or certificate of registration or any provision of ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992, the commission may cancel or suspend the permit or certificate of registration or impose conditions on the future use thereof to prevent such violation. [1955 c.708 §24; 1985 c.673 §61]
OR Rev Stat § 537.730 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food|Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally|Section 537.730 - Designation of critical ground water area; rules; notice.

(1) The Water Resources Commission by rule may designate an area of the state a critical ground water area if: (a) Ground water levels in the area in question are declining or have declined excessively; (b) The Water Resources Department finds a pattern of substantial interference between wells within the area in question; (c) The department finds a pattern of interference or potential interference between wells of ground water claimants or appropriators within the area in question with the production of geothermal resources from an area regulated under ORS chapter 522; (d) The department finds a pattern of substantial interference between wells within the area in question and: (A) An appropriator of surface water whose water right has an earlier priority date; or (B) A restriction imposed on surface water appropriation or a minimum perennial streamflow that has an effective date earlier than the priority date of the ground water appropriation; (e) The available ground water supply in the area in question is being or is about to be overdrawn; (f) The purity of the ground water in the area in question has been or reasonably may be expected to become polluted to an extent contrary to the public welfare, health and safety; or (g) Ground water temperatures in the area in question are expected to be, are being or have been substantially altered except as specified in ORS 537.796. (2) The proceeding to designate a critical ground water area shall be conducted according to the provisions under ORS chapter 183 applicable to the adoption of rules by an agency, except that a hearing on a critical ground water declaration shall occur at least 60 days after notice has been given. (3) In addition to the notice requirements under ORS 183.335, the department shall give notice by regular mail to: (a) The owners of record of all ground water registrations, permits and certificates for water use within the affected area; and (b) Each water well constructor licensed under ORS 537.747. (4) If the department satisfies the notice requirements under ORS 183.335 and subsection (3) of this section, a person shall not contest a critical ground water area designation on grounds of failure to receive notice by regular mail. [1955 c.708 §26; 1957 c.341 §8; 1981 c.589 §5; 1985 c.673 §62; 1987 c.442 §1; 1989 c.201 §4; 1991 c.400 §4]
OR Rev Stat § 537.735 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food|Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally|Section 537.735 - Rules designating critical ground water area.

(1) A rule adopted by the Water Resources Commission under ORS 537.730 shall: (a) Define the boundaries of the critical ground water area and shall indicate which of the ground water reservoirs located either in whole or in part within the area in question are included within the critical ground water area. Any number of ground water reservoirs which either wholly or partially overlie one another may be included within the same critical ground water area. (b) Contain a provision requiring a periodic review of conditions in the critical ground water area. The review shall be in sufficient detail to evaluate the continuing need for the critical ground water area designation and shall occur no less frequently than once every 10 years. (2) In adopting the rule, the commission shall consider any orders or permits applicable to the reservoir issued by the governing board or State Geologist of the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries under ORS chapter 522. (3) A rule by the commission under subsection (1) of this section may include any one or more of the following corrective control provisions: (a) A provision closing the critical ground water area to any further appropriation of ground water, in which event the commission shall thereafter refuse to accept any application for a permit to appropriate ground water located within such critical area. (b) A provision determining the permissible total withdrawal of ground water in the critical area each day, month or year. (c) The disposition of any application for a water right permit for the use of water in the area that is pending at the time the commission initiates the rulemaking process or that is received during the rulemaking process. (d) Any one or more provisions making such additional requirements as are necessary to protect the public welfare, health and safety in accordance with the intent, purposes and requirements of ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992. (e) A provision closing all or part of the critical ground water area to further appropriation of ground water for its thermal characteristics. (f) A provision determining the permissible change in thermal characteristics of ground water in all or part of the critical ground water area each day, month or year. Insofar as may be reasonably done, the Water Resources Director shall apportion the permissible total temperature impact among those appropriators whose exercise of valid rights in the critical area affect the thermal characteristics of the ground water, in accordance with the relative dates of priority of such rights. [1955 c.708 §27; 1981 c.589 §6; 1981 c.919 §1; 1985 c.673 §63; 1989 c.201 §5; 1991 c.400 §5]
OR Rev Stat § 537.740 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food|Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally|Section 537.740 - Filing rules designating critical ground water area.

In addition to any applicable requirements under ORS chapter 183, the Water Resources Commission shall file a copy of any rules designating a critical ground water area under ORS 537.730 to 537.740 with the county clerk of each county within which any part of the critical ground water area lies, and the county clerk shall record the designation in the deed records of the county. [1955 c.708 §28; 1985 c.673 §64; 1991 c.400 §6]
OR Rev Stat § 537.742 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food|Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally|Section 537.742 - Contested case proceeding to limit use of ground water in critical ground water area.

(1) Any time after the Water Resources Commission adopts a rule under ORS 537.730 designating a critical ground water area, the commission may initiate a contested case proceeding to limit the use of ground water in the area if the commission has reason to believe that any of the qualifying criteria of ORS 537.730 (1) exists. (2) Upon the conclusion of a contested case proceeding initiated under subsection (1) of this section and upon finding that the problems that resulted in the designation of a critical ground water area under ORS 537.730 can be resolved by implementing one or more of the corrective control provisions of this section, the commission shall issue a final order establishing any one or more of the following corrective control provisions: (a) A provision apportioning the permissible total withdrawal as established by rule under ORS 537.730, among the appropriators holding valid rights to ground water in the critical area in accordance with the relative dates of priority of such rights. (b) A provision according preference, without reference to relative priorities, to withdrawals of ground water in the critical area for residential and livestock watering purposes first. Thereafter, the commission may authorize withdrawals of ground water in the critical area for other beneficial purposes, including agricultural, industrial, municipal other than residential, and recreational purposes, in such order as the commission considers advisable under the circumstances, so long as such withdrawal will not materially affect a properly designed and operating well with prior rights that penetrates the aquifer. (c) A provision reducing the permissible withdrawal of ground water by any one or more appropriators or wells in the critical area. (d) Where two or more wells in the critical area are used by the same appropriator, a provision adjusting the total permissible withdrawal of ground water by such appropriator, or a provision forbidding the use of one or more of such wells completely. (e) A provision requiring the abatement, in whole or part, or the sealing of any well in the critical area responsible for the admission of polluting materials into the ground water supply or responsible for the progressive impairment of the quality of the ground water supply by dispersing polluting materials that have entered the ground water supply previously. (f) A provision requiring and specifying a system of rotation of use of ground water in the critical area. (3) The commission shall conduct the proceeding under this section according to the provisions of ORS chapter 183 applicable to contested case proceedings. [1991 c.400 §2]
OR Rev Stat § 537.744 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food|Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally|Section 537.744 - Domestic Well Remediation Fund.

(1) There is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund, the Domestic Well Remediation Fund. Interest earned by the Domestic Well Remediation Fund shall be credited to the fund. All moneys in the Domestic Well Remediation Fund are continuously appropriated to the Water Resources Department to carry out the purposes described in ORS 537.743. (2) The Domestic Well Remediation Fund shall consist of all moneys credited to the fund, including moneys appropriated or transferred to the fund by the Legislative Assembly. [2021 c.632 §3] Note: See second note under 537.743.
OR Rev Stat § 537.745 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food|Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally|Section 537.745 - Voluntary agreements among ground water users from same reservoir.

(1) In the administration of ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992, the Water Resources Commission may encourage, promote and recognize voluntary agreements among ground water users from the same ground water reservoir. When the commission finds that any such agreement, executed in writing and filed with the commission, is consistent with the intent, purposes and requirements of ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992, and in particular ORS 537.525, 537.730 to 537.740 and 537.780, the commission shall approve the agreement. Thereafter the agreement, until terminated as provided in this subsection, shall control in lieu of a formal order or rule of the commission under ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992. Any agreement approved by the commission may be terminated by the lapse of time as provided in the agreement, by consent of the parties to the agreement or by order of the commission if the commission finds, after investigation and a public hearing upon adequate notice, that the agreement is not being substantially complied with by the parties thereto or that changed conditions have made the continuance of the agreement a detriment to the public welfare, safety and health or contrary in any particular to the intent, purposes and requirements of ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992. (2) When any irrigation district, drainage district, other district organized for public purposes or other public corporation or political subdivision of this state is authorized by law to enter into agreements of the kind referred to in subsection (1) of this section, the commission may approve such agreements as provided in subsection (1) of this section. Any such agreement approved by the commission shall have the same effect and shall be subject to termination in the same manner and for the same reasons set forth in subsection (1) of this section. [1955 c.708 §31; 1985 c.673 §65]
OR Rev Stat § 537.750 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food|Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally|Section 537.750 - Examination for license.

(1) The written examination required under ORS 537.747 (3)(b) shall be prepared to test the applicant’s knowledge and understanding of the following subjects: (a) Laws of the state pertaining to the appropriation and use of ground water, the licensing requirements of ORS 537.747 to 537.765, the construction of wells and the preparation and filing of well logs. (b) Rules of the Water Resources Commission pertaining to the appropriation and use of ground water, the construction of wells and the preparation and filing of well logs. (c) Basic information on ground water geology, the occurrence and movement of ground water, and the design, construction and development of wells. (d) Types, uses and maintenance of drilling tools and equipment, drilling problems and corrective procedures, repair of faulty wells, sealing of wells and safety rules and practices. (2) Examinations shall be given during the months of January, April, July and October. The date, time and place of the examination are to be established by the commission. The examination shall be given only to those applicants who have met the requirement set out in ORS 537.747 (3)(a) and have paid the $20 examination fee. An applicant who fails to pass the examination by not attaining a grade of 70 or better may retake the examination after three months and the payment of another $20 examination fee. [1961 c.334 §3; 1981 c.416 §3; 1985 c.673 §67]
OR Rev Stat § 537.763 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food|Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally|Section 537.763 - Water Resources Department Operating Fund.

(1) There is established in the State Treasury the Water Resources Department Operating Fund to provide for the payment of the administrative expenses of the Water Resources Commission in carrying out the provisions of ORS 537.762. (2) The Water Resources Department Operating Fund shall consist of: (a) Fees received pursuant to ORS 537.762. (b) All moneys received on behalf of the fund by gift, grant or appropriation, from whatever source. (3) The Water Resources Department Operating Fund shall be separate and distinct from the General Fund. All interest earned by the Water Resources Department Operating Fund, if any, shall inure to the benefit of the fund. (4) In expending moneys in the fund received from fees pursuant to ORS 537.762, the biennial limitations on expenditures of the Water Resources Department shall be: (a) No more than five percent for well inspection administrative support; (b) No more than 20 percent for well inspection technical and information services; and (c) No less than 75 percent for well inspection field investigation, enforcement and review of well logs. [1989 c.129 §4; 2003 c.594 §4; 2021 c.610 §21] Note: 537.763 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.
OR Rev Stat § 537.766 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food|Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally|Section 537.766 - Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement Fund.

The Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement Fund shall be credited to the fund. Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the Water Resources Department for the purpose of carrying out the program purposes described in ORS 537.767. The fund shall consist of any moneys designated for deposit in the fund or for carrying out the program purposes, including but not limited to appropriations or other provisions of moneys by the Legislative Assembly and public or private moneys from gifts, grants or donations. [2021 c.610 §2]
OR Rev Stat § 537.769 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food|Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally|Section 537.769 - Local regulation of wells and water well constructors.

The Legislative Assembly finds that ground water protection is a matter of statewide concern. No ordinance, order or regulation shall be adopted by a local government to regulate the inspection of wells, construction of wells or water well constructors subject to regulation by the Water Resources Commission or the Water Resources Department under ORS 537.747 to 537.795 and 537.992. [1989 c.129 §3]