ORS 537.332¹
Definitions for ORS 537.332 to 537.360

As used in ORS 537.332 (Definitions for ORS 537.332 to 537.360) to 537.360 (Relationship between application for in-stream water right and application for certain hydroelectric permits):

(1) “In-stream” means within the natural stream channel or lake bed or place where water naturally flows or occurs.

(2) “In-stream flow” means the minimum quantity of water necessary to support the public use requested by an agency.

(3) “In-stream water right” means a water right held in trust by the Water Resources Department for the benefit of the people of the State of Oregon to maintain water in-stream for public use. An in-stream water right does not require a diversion or any other means of physical control over the water.

(4) “Public benefit” means a benefit that accrues to the public at large rather than to a person, a small group of persons or to a private enterprise.

(5) “Public use” includes but is not limited to:

(a) Recreation;

(b) Conservation, maintenance and enhancement of aquatic and fish life, wildlife, fish and wildlife habitat and any other ecological values;

(c) Pollution abatement; or

(d) Navigation. [1987 c.859 §2; 1995 c.416 §32]

Law Review Cita­tions

19 EL 494 (1989); 21 EL 13 (1991); 36 EL 1383 (2006)

§§ 537.332 (Definitions for ORS 537.332 to 537.360) to 537.360 (Relationship between application for in-stream water right and application for certain hydroelectric permits)

Law Review Cita­tions

21 EL 1 (1991); 28 WLR 285 (1992); 36 EL 1125, 1237 (2006); 47 WLR 467 (2011)

Chapter 537

Notes of Decisions

Water control district, in applying for wa­ter appropria­tion permit for hydroelectric project, was exempt from licensing pro­vi­sions of ORS 543.010 (Definitions for ORS 543.010 to 543.610) to 543.620 and needed only to comply with require­ments of this chapter. Steamboaters v. Winchester Water Control Dist., 69 Or App 596, 688 P2d 92 (1984), Sup Ct review denied

Atty. Gen. Opinions

Reserva­tion to state of “all coal and other minerals” in deed of land by state as reserva­tion of geothermal resources, (1980) Vol 41, p 298

Law Review Cita­tions

11 EL 387 (1981); 16 EL 583, 592 (1986); 28 WLR 285 (1992)

1 Legislative Counsel Committee, CHAPTER 537—Appropriation of Water Generally, https://­www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/­bills_laws/­ors/­ors537.­html (2019) (last ac­cessed May 16, 2020).
 
2 Legislative Counsel Committee, Annotations to the Oregon Revised Stat­utes, Cumulative Supplement - 2019, Chapter 537, https://­www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/­bills_laws/­ors/­ano537.­html (2019) (last ac­cessed May 16, 2020).
 
3 OregonLaws.org assembles these lists by analyzing references between Sections. Each listed item refers back to the current Section in its own text. The result reveals relationships in the code that may not have otherwise been apparent. Currency Information