2023 Oregon Revised Statutes › Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food › Chapter 540 - Distribution and Storage of Water; Watermasters; Water Right Changes, Transfers and Forfeitures › Section 540.532 - Request for change in point of diversion to reflect historical use; requirements.

(1) Notwithstanding ORS 537.797, 540.510, 540.520 and 540.530, an individual may request a change in the point of diversion to reflect the historical use of water at a point of diversion other than that described in the water right certificate or decree if the individual complies with the provisions of subsection (2) of this section.
(2) An individual may request a change in the point of diversion under subsection (1) of this section if:
(a) The actual, current point of diversion has been in use for more than 10 years;
(b) The Water Resources Department has received no claim of injury as a result of the use of water from the current point of diversion prior to the request for the change of diversion;
(c) The individual requesting the change provides written notice to any other affected water right holder, as identified by the Water Resources Department, and the Water Resources Department provides notice of the request in the department’s public notice of water right applications; and
(d) The individual provides a map of sufficient detail and clarity to identify the true point of diversion including but not limited to:
(A) The county tax lot number, township, range and section, and to the nearest quarter-quarter section or latitude and longitude as established by a global positioning system; and
(B) The locations of the point of diversion as specified in the water right certificate or decree and the actual, current point of diversion.
(3) Upon receipt of a request for a change in the point of diversion under subsection (1) of this section, the Water Resources Department shall consult with the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to determine whether the historical point of diversion is:
(a) Equipped with an appropriate fish screening or by-pass device; or
(b) Included on the priority list of screening projects established pursuant to section 8, chapter 933, Oregon Laws 1989.
(4) If the historical point of diversion is included in the priority list of screening projects established pursuant to section 8, chapter 933, Oregon Laws 1989, the Water Resources Department, after consulting with the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, may require the installation of an appropriate fish screening or by-pass device at the point of diversion.
(5) When consulting with the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Water Resources Department shall determine whether the installation of an appropriate fish screening or by-pass device is necessary to prevent fish from leaving the body of water and entering the diversion.
(6) Any individual who is required to install a fish screening or by-pass device under this section at a point of diversion may participate in the State Department of Fish and Wildlife’s cost-sharing program for the installation of screening or by-pass devices. [1995 c.359 §3; 2007 c.625 §12]
Note:
540.532 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 540 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.