2023 Oregon Revised Statutes › Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food › Chapter 537 - Appropriation of Water Generally › Section 537.040 - Registration of water for road construction, maintenance or reconstruction; fee; annual renewal statement; limitations; rules.

(1) In lieu of applying for a permit for a water right under ORS 537.130, a public agency having jurisdiction over roads or highways may register a water use for road and highway maintenance, construction and reconstruction purposes.
(2) A public agency applying to register a water use under subsection (1) of this section shall:
(a) Submit a completed application to register the water use;
(b) Pay a fee of $300 to be deposited in the Water Resources Department Water Right Operating Fund;
(c) Provide a map indicating the general locations of points of diversion;
(d) Identify the sources of surface water or ground water to be used;
(e) Specify the maximum amount of water to be used during a calendar year and during any 24-hour period; and
(f) If the public agency is withdrawing water from a conveyance or storage facility that is a perfected or certificated water right:
(A) Identify the permit or certificate number of the conveyance or storage right; and
(B) Provide written authorization from the owner of the perfected or certificated water right that allows the public agency to use water from the conveyance or storage facility.
(3) A use of water registered under subsection (1) of this section shall continue until the public agency voluntarily withdraws the registration. However, the public agency shall submit an annual renewal statement accompanied by an annual fee of $50 to be deposited in the Water Resources Department Water Right Operating Fund. The annual renewal statement shall specify any change in the map, the sources of water to be used or maximum amount of water to be used.
(4) The use of water registered under subsection (1) of this section:
(a) Shall not have priority over any water right exercised under a permit, water right certificate, certificate of registration, order of the Water Resources Commission or the Water Resources Director and related court decrees;
(b) Shall be subordinate to all other future permitted or certificated rights; and
(c) Shall not exceed 50,000 gallons from a single source during any 24-hour period.
(5) The commission may require a public agency to cease withdrawal or diversion of water at any time the director has reason to believe the registered use is causing a significant adverse impact upon:
(a) The affected watershed;
(b) Any other water user entitled to use water under a permit issued under ORS 537.211 or 537.625 or a certificate issued under ORS 537.250, 537.630 or 539.140; or
(c) An in-stream water right established under ORS 537.332 to 537.360.
(6) The commission may adopt rules to implement this section. The commission shall not require the map to be prepared by a water right examiner certified under ORS 537.798.
(7) As used in this section, "public agency" means the State of Oregon, any agency of the State of Oregon, a county, a special road district of a county, a city, town, incorporated municipality and any federal agency that has jurisdiction over a roadway in this state. [1993 c.705 §2; 1995 c.416 §44; 1999 c.664 §5; 2003 c.594 §7]