ORS 536.075
Judicial review of final order of commission or department

  • stay of order
  • scope of review

(1)

Any party affected by a final order other than contested case issued by the Water Resources Commission or Water Resources Department may appeal the final order to the Circuit Court of Marion County or to the circuit court of the county in which all or part of the property affected by the final order is situated. Review of the final order must be conducted according to the provisions of ORS 183.484 (Jurisdiction for review of orders other than contested cases), 183.486 (Form and scope of decision of reviewing court), 183.497 (Awarding costs and attorney fees when finding for petitioner) and 183.500 (Appeals). The first page of the final order must state that the final order is a final order other than contested case, that the final order is subject to judicial review under ORS 183.484 (Jurisdiction for review of orders other than contested cases) and that any petition for judicial review of the final order must be filed within the time specified by ORS 183.484 (Jurisdiction for review of orders other than contested cases) (2). Any order other than contested case issued by the commission or department that does not comply with the requirements of this section is not a final order.

(2)

Any party affected by a final order in a contested case issued by the commission or department may appeal the order to the Court of Appeals.

(3)

An appeal under subsection (2) of this section shall be conducted as provided in ORS 183.482 (Jurisdiction for review of contested cases) except as specifically provided in this section.

(4)

The petition for review shall state the facts showing how the petitioner is adversely affected by the final order and the ground or grounds upon which the petitioner contends the final order should be reversed or remanded.

(5)

Except as provided in subsections (6) and (7) of this section, the filing of a petition for review in either the circuit court or the Court of Appeals shall stay enforcement of the final order.

(6)

If the commission or department determines that substantial public harm will result from staying the final order, the commission or department may deny the stay. The denial shall be in writing and shall specifically state the substantial public harm that will result from staying the final order. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, if the petitioner requests a hearing on the denial:

(a)

The court shall hold the hearing not more than 21 days after the request is made; and

(b)

The denial shall remain in effect until the hearing has been held and the court has issued a decision concerning the denial.

(7)

Enforcement of a final order that regulated off a diversion, appropriation or other use of surface or ground water in favor of a senior existing water right of record or senior determined claim:

(a)

May only be stayed on appeal if the petition for review is served on the commission or department and proof of the service is filed with the court.

(b)

Is not stayed if the commission or department denies the stay under subsection (6) of this section.

(8)

If the commission or department receives service of a petition for review pursuant to subsection (7) of this section, not more than five business days after receiving the service the commission or department shall send the petition to the person or federally recognized Indian tribe that made the call for water to enforce the senior existing water right of record or senior determined claim.

(9)

The review by the Court of Appeals under subsection (2) of this section shall be on the entire record forwarded by the commission or department. The court may remand the case for further evidence taking, correction or other necessary action. The court may affirm, reverse, modify or supplement the order appealed from, and make such disposition of the case as the court determines to be appropriate.

(10)

The provisions of this section do not apply to any proceeding under ORS 537.670 (Determination of rights to appropriate ground water of ground water reservoir) to 537.695 (Conclusive adjudication) or ORS chapter 539.

(11)

For the purposes of this section:

(a)

“Contested case” has the meaning given that term in ORS 183.310 (Definitions for chapter).

(b)

“Determined claim” means a water right determined and established in an order of determination certified by the Water Resources Director under ORS 539.130 (Findings of fact and determination of director).

(c)

“Existing water right of record” has the meaning given that term in ORS 540.045 (Watermaster duties).

(d)

“Final order” has the meaning given that term in ORS 183.310 (Definitions for chapter). [1985 c.673 §9; 1999 c.791 §1; 2021 c.354 §1]

Source: Section 536.075 — Judicial review of final order of commission or department; stay of order; scope of review, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors536.­html.

Notes of Decisions

Water Resources Department is not required to issue order when denying reconsideration. Harrington v. Water Resources Department, 216 Or App 16, 171 P3d 1001 (2007)

“Party affected” means any petitioner affected by Water Resources Department order whether or not that petitioner achieves formal party status. Pete’s Mountain Homeowners Ass’n. v. Water Resources Department, 236 Or App 507, 238 P3d 395 (2010)

536.007
Definitions
536.009
Water Resources Department Water Right Operating Fund
536.015
Water Resources Department Hydroelectric Fund
536.017
Records of expenditures from Water Resources Department Hydroelectric Fund
536.021
Water Measurement Cost Share Program Revolving Fund
536.022
Water Resources Commission
536.025
Duty of commission
536.026
Powers of Water Resources Commission
536.027
Rules and standards
536.028
Rules pertaining to human or livestock consumption uses within or above scenic waterway
536.031
Applicability of rules to completed application for permit
536.032
Water Resources Director
536.037
Functions of director
536.039
Water Resources Department
536.040
Public records
536.045
Sending or receipt of documents in electronic form
536.050
Fees
536.055
Agreements to expedite processing and review of applications, permits and other administrative matters
536.075
Judicial review of final order of commission or department
536.080
Effect of records of former State Water Board and State Water Superintendent
536.090
Ground water advisory committee
536.220
Policy on water resources generally
536.231
Commission to devise plans and programs for development of water resources
536.235
Policy on minimum streamflows
536.238
Policy on water storage facilities
536.241
Policy on water supply
536.295
Conditions for consideration of application for use not classified in basin program
536.300
Formulation of state water resources program
536.310
Purposes and policies to be considered in formulating state water resources program
536.315
Designation of exact land areas included within auxiliary lands
536.320
Limitation of powers of commission
536.330
Water Resources Act as supplemental to and including existing statutes
536.340
Classification of water as to highest and best use and quantity of use
536.350
Delivery of water resources statement to certain public bodies
536.360
State agencies and public corporations to conform to statement of state water resources policy
536.370
Exercise of power in conflict with state water resources policy not effective until approved by commission
536.380
Notification to commission of proposed exercise of power involving water resources required
536.390
Approval without filing notification
536.400
Application to court to compel compliance with state water resources policy
536.410
Withdrawal of unappropriated waters from appropriation by commission order
536.420
Representation of state in carrying out compacts and agreements with other governmental agencies regarding water resources
536.440
Investigations and studies
536.450
Assistance by commission to other persons and agencies
536.460
Preparation and submission of information or recommendations to other persons or agencies
536.470
Coordination of local, state, interstate and federal programs
536.480
Making available information concerning water resources
536.490
Attendance at conferences and meetings
536.500
Acceptance and expenditure of moneys from public and private sources
536.520
State agencies and public corporations furnishing information and services to commission
536.540
Approval of voucher claims
536.570
Moneys and securities of irrigation districts in possession of Water Resources Commission
536.580
Rights acquired prior to August 3, 1955, not affected
536.590
Rights acquired prior to January 1, 1956, not affected
536.595
Department discussions with Corps of Engineers over operation of Detroit Lake
536.700
“Drainage basin” defined
536.710
Policy
536.720
Declaration of state authority
536.730
Effect of emergency powers on vested water rights
536.740
Governor’s authority to declare drought
536.750
Powers of commission after declaration of drought
536.760
Cessation of actions taken under ORS 536.750
536.770
Purchase of option or agreement for use of water permit or right during declared drought
536.780
Water conservation or curtailment plan
536.900
Civil penalties
536.905
Notice
536.910
Amount of penalty
536.915
Remission or reduction of penalty
536.920
Factors to be considered in imposition of penalty
536.930
Consequence of failure to follow order
536.935
Disposition of penalties
Green check means up to date. Up to date