ORS 539.010
Protection of water rights vested or initiated prior to February 24, 1909


(1)

Actual application of water to beneficial use prior to February 24, 1909, by or under authority of any riparian proprietor or the predecessors in interest of the riparian proprietor, shall be deemed to create in the riparian proprietor a vested right to the extent of the actual application to beneficial use, provided such use has not been abandoned for a continuous period of two years.

(2)

Where any riparian proprietor, or any person under authority of any riparian proprietor or the predecessor in interest of the riparian proprietor, was, on February 24, 1909, engaged in good faith in the construction of works for the application of water to a beneficial use, the right to take and use such water shall be deemed vested in the riparian proprietor, provided that the works were completed and the water devoted to a beneficial use within a reasonable time after February 24, 1909. The Water Resources Director, in the manner provided in subsection (5) of this section, may determine the time within which the water shall be devoted to a beneficial use. The right to water shall be limited to the quantity actually applied to a beneficial use within the time so fixed by the director.

(3)

Nothing contained in the Water Rights Act, as defined in ORS 537.010 (Definition of “Water Rights Act.”), shall affect relative priorities to the use of water among parties to any decree of the courts rendered in causes determined or pending prior to February 24, 1909.

(4)

The right of any person to take and use water may not be impaired or affected by any provisions of the Water Rights Act, as defined in ORS 537.010 (Definition of “Water Rights Act.”), where appropriations were initiated prior to February 24, 1909, and such appropriators, their heirs, successors or assigns did, in good faith and in compliance with the laws then existing, commence the construction of works for the application of the water so appropriated to a beneficial use, and thereafter prosecuted such work diligently and continuously to completion. However, all such rights shall be adjudicated in the manner provided in this chapter.

(5)

The director shall, for good cause shown upon the application of any appropriator or user of water under an appropriation of water made prior to February 24, 1909, or in the cases mentioned in subsections (2) and (4) of this section, where actual construction work was commenced prior to that time or within the time provided in law then existing, prescribe the time within which the full amount of the water appropriated shall be applied to a beneficial use. In determining said time the director shall grant a reasonable time after the construction of the works or canal or ditch used for the diversion of the water, and in doing so, the director shall take into consideration the cost of the appropriation and application of the water to a beneficial purpose, the good faith of the appropriator, the market for water or power to be supplied, the present demands therefor and the income or use that may be required to provide fair and reasonable returns upon the investment. For good cause shown the director may extend the time.

(6)

Where appropriations of water attempted before February 24, 1909, were undertaken in good faith, and the work of construction or improvement thereunder was in good faith commenced and diligently prosecuted, such appropriations may not be set aside or voided in proceedings under this chapter because of any irregularity or insufficiency of the notice by law, or in the manner of posting, recording or publication thereof.

(7)

In any proceeding to adjudicate water rights under this chapter, the Water Resources Department may adjudicate federal reserved rights for the water necessary to fulfill the primary purpose of the reservation or any federal water right not acquired under ORS chapter 537 or ORS 540.510 (Appurtenancy of water to premises) to 540.530 (Order authorizing change of use, place of use or point of diversion).

(8)

All rights granted or declared by the Water Rights Act, as defined in ORS 537.010 (Definition of “Water Rights Act.”), shall be adjudicated and determined in the manner and by the tribunals provided therein. The Water Rights Act may not be held to bestow upon any person any riparian rights where no such rights existed prior to February 24, 1909. [Amended by 1989 c.691 §6; 1993 c.157 §1; 2021 c.97 §65]

Source: Section 539.010 — Protection of water rights vested or initiated prior to February 24, 1909, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors539.­html.

Notes of Decisions

Extent of vested right is limited to amount actually in beneficial use prior to 1909 date. State ex rel Cox v. Hibbard, 31 Or App 269, 570 P2d 1190 (1977)

539.005
Purpose of chapter
539.010
Protection of water rights vested or initiated prior to February 24, 1909
539.015
Certification of statements of claimants
539.021
Determination by Water Resources Director of rights of claimants
539.030
Notice of investigation of stream
539.040
Notice of hearing by director
539.070
Hearing by director
539.081
Fees for registration statement or statement and proof of claim
539.090
Notice of right to inspect evidence, and of place of court hearing
539.100
Contest of claims submitted to director
539.110
Hearing of contest
539.120
Examination by director of stream and diversions in contest
539.130
Findings of fact and determination of director
539.140
Water right certificates
539.150
Court proceedings to review determination of director
539.160
Transmittal of copy of decree to department
539.170
Division of water pending hearing
539.180
Bond or irrevocable letter of credit to stay operation of director’s determination
539.190
Rehearing by circuit court
539.200
Conclusiveness of determinations as to water rights
539.210
Duty of claimants to appear and submit proof
539.220
Procedure when rights to same stream have been determined in different proceedings
539.230
Notice of need to file registration statement
539.240
Claim to undetermined right to appropriate surface water
539.300
Legislative findings
539.310
Negotiation for water rights
539.320
Agreement
539.330
Notice to persons affected by agreement
539.340
Court decree
539.350
Procedures after remand of agreement
539.360
Participation in management of Upper Klamath Basin Comprehensive Agreement
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