ORS 539.150
Court proceedings to review determination of director


(1)

From and after the filing of the evidence and order of determination in the circuit court, the proceedings shall be like those in an action not triable by right to a jury, except that any proceedings, including the entry of a judgment, may be had in vacation with the same force and effect as in term time. At any time prior to the hearing provided for in ORS 539.130 (Findings of fact and determination of director), any party or parties jointly interested may file exceptions in writing to the findings and order of determination, or any part thereof, which exceptions shall state with reasonable certainty the grounds and shall specify the particular paragraphs or parts of the findings and order excepted to.

(2)

A copy of the exceptions, verified by the exceptor or certified to by the attorney for the exceptor, shall be served upon each claimant who was an adverse party to any contest wherein the exceptor was a party in the proceedings, prior to the hearing. Service shall be made by the exceptor or the attorney for the exceptor upon each such adverse party in person, or upon the attorney if the adverse party has appeared by attorney, or upon the agent of the adverse party. If the adverse party is a nonresident of the county or state, the service may be made by mailing a copy to that party by registered mail or by certified mail with return receipt, addressed to the place of residence of that party, as set forth in the proof filed in the proceedings.

(3)

If no exceptions are filed the court shall, on the day set for the hearing, enter a judgment affirming the determination of the Water Resources Director. If exceptions are filed, upon the day set for the hearing the court shall fix a time, not less than 30 days thereafter, unless for good cause shown the time be extended by the court, when a hearing will be had upon the exceptions. All parties may be heard upon the consideration of the exceptions, and the director may appear on behalf of the state, either in person or by the Attorney General. The court may, if necessary, remand the case for further testimony, to be taken by the director or by a referee appointed by the court for that purpose. Upon completion of the testimony and its report to the director, the director may be required to make a further determination.

(4)

After final hearing the court shall enter a judgment affirming or modifying the order of the director as the court considers proper, and may assess such costs as it may consider just except that a judgment for costs may not be rendered against the United States. An appeal may be taken to the Court of Appeals from the judgment in the same manner and with the same effect as in other cases in equity, except that notice of appeal must be served and filed within 60 days from the entry of the judgment. [Amended by 1979 c.284 §165; 1989 c.691 §12; 1991 c.249 §50]

Source: Section 539.150 — Court proceedings to review determination of director, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors539.­html.

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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