ORS 540.430
Nonpayment by ditch co-owner

  • lien on interest
  • foreclosure
  • stoppage of water delivery

(1)

Upon the failure of any co-owner to pay a proportionate share of the expense, as mentioned in ORS 540.420 (Jointly owned ditches), within 30 days after receiving a statement of the same as performed by the co-owner, the latter may secure payment of the claim by filing an itemized and sworn statement thereof, setting forth the date of performance and the nature of the labor performed, with the county clerk of the county wherein the ditch is situated. When so filed it shall constitute a valid lien against the interest of the person in default, which lien may be established and enforced in the same manner as provided by law for the enforcement of mechanic’s liens.

(2)

In lieu of proceeding to enforce the lien, the person performing the labor may file an itemized and sworn statement with the watermaster of the district within which the ditch is located, setting forth the date of performance, the nature of the labor performed, the total expense incurred by the person and the proportion of the expense each owner should pay, together with a written request that the watermaster take charge of the distribution of the water from the ditch to the parties entitled to the use thereof. Thereupon the watermaster may proceed to distribute the water in accordance with established rights. However, if an owner or user has not paid the proportion of expenses of the owner or user incurred for the proper maintenance and operation of the ditch, the watermaster may serve such party with written notice, personally, by registered mail or by certified mail with return receipt, setting forth the proportion of expenses incurred for which the owner or user is obligated to pay. If the party so served refuses or neglects to pay that part of the expense within 10 days after the serving or mailing of the notice, the watermaster may refuse to deliver water to be used upon the lands of such person until after the expense has been paid. [Amended by 1991 c.249 §52]

Source: Section 540.430 — Nonpayment by ditch co-owner; lien on interest; foreclosure; stoppage of water delivery, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors540.­html.

540.010
Water districts
540.020
Watermasters
540.030
Water Resources Director
540.045
Watermaster duties
540.050
Appearance of district attorney
540.060
Arrest by watermaster
540.075
Office and equipment for watermaster
540.080
Assistant watermasters
540.100
Division of water among users
540.120
Lien for wages and expense
540.130
Advance payment
540.135
Disposition of funds collected under ORS 540.100 to 540.130 and 540.220
540.140
Insufficiency of water
540.145
Distribution of water
540.150
Rotation in water use
540.155
Periodic review and report regarding department program for Deschutes Basin ground water study area
540.210
Distribution from ditch or reservoir
540.220
Payment of assistant watermaster
540.230
Distribution of waste or seepage water
540.240
Lien for wages and expense
540.250
Lien, notice of intent to claim
540.260
Lien for wages and expense
540.270
Distribution from irrigation districts and improvement companies
540.310
Ditches and canals
540.320
Noncompliance with requirements
540.330
Reservoirs
540.340
Reservoir and diversion dam
540.355
Inspection, evaluation and assessment of hydraulic structures
540.410
Delivery of reservoir water
540.420
Jointly owned ditches
540.430
Nonpayment by ditch co-owner
540.435
Installation of totalizing measuring device
540.440
Owner to clear weeds from ditch right of way
540.443
Definitions for ORS 540.443 to 540.491
540.446
Dams not subject to ORS 540.443 to 540.491
540.449
Construction plan approval
540.452
Removal plan approval
540.455
Dam inspections and analysis
540.458
Notice for owner corrective action to address safety issues
540.461
Plan and time frame for corrective action
540.464
Examinations, inspections and reports by specialists
540.467
Owner action to address maintenance issues
540.470
Contested case hearings
540.473
Application for injunction
540.476
Action to declare dam public nuisance
540.479
Dam owner responsibilities
540.482
Emergency action plan for dam with high hazard rating
540.485
Actual or potential dam failure
540.488
Water Resources Commission duties and powers
540.491
Dam owner or operator liability
540.505
Definitions
540.510
Appurtenancy of water to premises
540.520
Application for change of use, place of use or point of diversion
540.523
Temporary transfer of water right or permit
540.524
Substitution of supplemental water right from ground water source for primary water right from surface water source
540.525
Installation of fish screening or by-pass device as prerequisite for transfer of point of diversion
540.530
Order authorizing change of use, place of use or point of diversion
540.531
Transfer of surface water point of diversion to ground water
540.532
Request for change in point of diversion to reflect historical use
540.533
Application for exchange of water
540.535
Notice of application for exchange
540.537
Order allowing exchange
540.539
Exchange subject to beneficial use requirements
540.541
Delivery and use of water under exchange
540.543
Regulation of headgates when water provided by exchange
540.545
Transfer of water rights following county acquisition of land
540.560
Order changing description of land to which water right is appurtenant
540.570
Temporary transfers within districts
540.572
Application of certificated water elsewhere within district
540.574
Petition for approval of transfer
540.576
Notice of petition
540.578
Filing of protest
540.580
Permanent transfer of place of use of water within district
540.585
Temporary transfers within Deschutes River Basin
540.587
Report on implementation of temporary transfer provisions
540.589
Ratification of prior transfer of water rights to irrigation district
540.610
Use as measure of water right
540.612
Exemption from forfeiture
540.621
Cancellation of abandoned water right upon request of owner
540.631
Cancellation of forfeited water right
540.641
Protest of cancellation
540.650
Issuance of new water right certificate for water rights not canceled
540.660
Affidavit of watermaster that circumstances prevent use of water right in accordance with terms of certificate
540.670
Effect of cancellation of primary water right on supplemental right
540.710
Interference with headgate, or use of water denied by watermaster or other authority
540.720
Unauthorized use or waste of water
540.730
Obstruction interfering with access to or use of works
540.740
Injunctive relief against action of watermaster
540.750
Injunction suits
540.990
Criminal penalties
540.995
Civil penalties
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