ORS 568.550
General powers of board of directors

  • erosion control covenants
  • interagency cooperation
  • land use regulations
  • department rules

(1)

The board of directors of a soil and water conservation district has the following powers:

(a)

To secure surveys and investigations and do research relating to:

(A)

The character of soil erosion;

(B)

The character of floodwater and sediment damage;

(C)

All phases of the conservation, development, utilization and disposal of water; and

(D)

The preventive measures, control measures and improvements needed.

(b)

To conduct demonstrational projects on lands within the district upon obtaining the consent of the owner and occupier of such lands.

(c)

To carry out preventive and control measures on lands within the district upon obtaining the consent of the owner and occupier of those lands.

(d)

To enter into written agreements with and, within the limits of appropriations duly made available to the board by law, to furnish financial or other aid to any governmental or nongovernmental agency or any owner or occupier of lands within the district, for the purpose of:

(A)

Carrying on within the district soil erosion control and prevention operations, water quality improvement, watershed enhancement and improvement, fish and wildlife habitat management activities and other natural resource management activities; or

(B)

Carrying out district responsibilities under ORS 541.898 (Oregon Plan described), 568.225 (Policy), 568.550 (General powers of board of directors) and 568.900 (Definitions for ORS 568.900 to 568.933) to 568.933 (Civil penalties).

(e)

To obtain options upon and to acquire by purchase, exchange, lease, gift, grant, bequest or devise any property, real or personal or rights or interests therein, to maintain, administer and improve any properties acquired, to receive income from such properties and to expend such income in carrying out the purposes and provisions of ORS 568.210 (Definitions for ORS 568.210 to 568.808 and 568.900 to 568.933) to 568.808 (Taxing district to file legal description and map) and 568.900 (Definitions for ORS 568.900 to 568.933) to 568.933 (Civil penalties), and to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any of its property or interests therein in furtherance of the purposes and the provisions of ORS 568.210 (Definitions for ORS 568.210 to 568.808 and 568.900 to 568.933) to 568.808 (Taxing district to file legal description and map) and 568.900 (Definitions for ORS 568.900 to 568.933) to 568.933 (Civil penalties).

(f)

To borrow money and to mortgage personal property of the district as security for the borrowed money, if the district first gives notice of and holds a public hearing within the district to provide landowners with the opportunity to be heard. The State Department of Agriculture shall adopt rules specifying the manner for giving notice of a hearing under this subsection.

(g)

To issue general obligation bonds of the district as provided in ORS 568.803 (General obligation bonds).

(h)

To make available, on such terms as the directors shall prescribe, to landowners or occupiers within the district, agricultural and engineering machinery and equipment, fertilizer, seeds, and seedlings and other material or equipment.

(i)

To construct, operate and maintain such structures as may be necessary or convenient for performance of any of the operations authorized in ORS 568.210 (Definitions for ORS 568.210 to 568.808 and 568.900 to 568.933) to 568.808 (Taxing district to file legal description and map) and 568.900 (Definitions for ORS 568.900 to 568.933) to 568.933 (Civil penalties).

(j)

To develop comprehensive plans and specifications for the conservation of soil resources and for the continued control and prevention of soil erosion within the district, and to publish such plans, specifications and information and bring them to the attention of owners and occupiers of lands within the district.

(k)

To take over, by purchase, lease or otherwise, and to administer, any soil conservation, erosion control or erosion prevention project, or combination thereof, located within district boundaries undertaken by the United States or any of its agencies, or by this state or any of its agencies.

(L)

To manage, as agent of the United States or any of its agencies, or of this state or any of its agencies, any soil conservation, erosion control or erosion prevention project, or combination thereof, within district boundaries.

(m)

To act as agent for the United States or any of its agencies, in connection with the acquisition, construction, operation or administration of any soil conservation, erosion control or erosion prevention project, or combination thereof, within district boundaries.

(n)

To accept donations, gifts and contributions in money, services, materials, or otherwise, from the United States or any of its agencies, or from this state or any of its agencies, and to use or expend such moneys, services, materials or other contributions in carrying on its operations.

(o)

To sue and to be sued in the name of the district, to have a seal, which shall be judicially noticed, to have perpetual succession unless terminated as provided by law, to make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of its powers, and to make, and from time to time amend or repeal, rules not inconsistent with ORS 568.210 (Definitions for ORS 568.210 to 568.808 and 568.900 to 568.933) to 568.808 (Taxing district to file legal description and map) and 568.900 (Definitions for ORS 568.900 to 568.933) to 568.933 (Civil penalties) to carry into effect its purposes and powers.

(p)

To purchase liability or indemnity insurance, in such amounts and containing such terms and conditions as the board believes necessary for the protection of directors, officers and employees of the district against claims incurred in the performance of official duties. The premiums for such insurance shall be paid out of moneys available for expenditure by the district.

(q)

To place liens on real and personal property.

(r)

To enter into written agreements with, coordinate activities with and provide assistance to landowners, managers and residents within the district and federal state and local governments, relating to natural resource issues, including but not limited to issues of:

(A)

Agriculture and forestry;

(B)

Economic development based on natural resources;

(C)

Watershed management and ecosystem health;

(D)

Invasive species;

(E)

Alternative and renewable energy;

(F)

Air quality;

(G)

Animal waste and nutrient management;

(H)

Carbon sequestration;

(I)

Access to market-based services and certification;

(J)

Fuel reduction and wildfire planning and management; and

(K)

Preservation of agricultural, forestry and other lands.

(s)

To conduct outreach and conservation education activities.

(t)

To provide financial assistance, including but not limited to loans and grants to implement activities and projects authorized under ORS 271.715 (Definitions for ORS 271.715 to 271.795) to 271.795 (Construction of Act), 568.210 (Definitions for ORS 568.210 to 568.808 and 568.900 to 568.933) to 568.808 (Taxing district to file legal description and map) or 568.900 (Definitions for ORS 568.900 to 568.933) to 568.933 (Civil penalties).

(u)

To hold patents, trademarks and copyrights.
(v)
To hold conservation easements under ORS 271.715 (Definitions for ORS 271.715 to 271.795) to 271.795 (Construction of Act).

(2)

As a condition to the extending of any benefits under ORS 568.210 (Definitions for ORS 568.210 to 568.808 and 568.900 to 568.933) to 568.808 (Taxing district to file legal description and map) or 568.900 (Definitions for ORS 568.900 to 568.933) to 568.933 (Civil penalties) to lands, or the performance of work upon lands, the directors may require contributions in money, services, materials or otherwise to any operations conferring such benefits, and may require landowners or occupiers to enter into and perform such agreements or covenants as to the permanent use of such lands as will tend to prevent or control erosion thereon.

(3)

In order to avoid duplication of activities under subsection (1)(a) of this section, the department may call upon other state and federal agencies for assistance and cooperation in their fields in accordance with memoranda of understanding to be signed by all cooperating agencies.

(4)

A district may not adopt land use regulations under ORS chapter 197, 215 or 227. A district has the standing of an affected property owner to participate in public processes involving administrative rules, regulations, goals, guidelines, plans or other public body actions that may affect one or more properties within the district. [Amended by 1955 c.142 §16; 1957 c.603 §4; 1961 c.640 §3; 1973 c.656 §13; 1981 c.92 §29; 2005 c.22 §386; 2005 c.282 §1; 2009 c.220 §26]

Source: Section 568.550 — General powers of board of directors; erosion control covenants; interagency cooperation; land use regulations; department rules, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors568.­html.

568.210
Definitions for ORS 568.210 to 568.808 and 568.900 to 568.933
568.225
Policy
568.300
Petition for formation of district
568.310
Notice of hearing
568.320
Right to be heard
568.330
Determination of need for district
568.340
Determination to not form district
568.351
Determination of boundaries for proposed district
568.370
Eligible electors
568.380
Department to pay expenses and supervise hearings and referenda
568.391
Referendum process
568.400
Appointment of first directors of district
568.410
Formation of district
568.420
Certificate of formation
568.431
Petitions for inclusion of territory
568.433
Petitions for withdrawal of territory
568.435
Boundary change notice for taxation purposes
568.440
District legally formed
568.445
Petitions for inclusion of territory wholly within another district
568.450
Procedure for consolidating districts
568.460
Referendum
568.471
Effect of consolidating districts
568.481
Methods for initiating dissolution of district
568.491
Termination of board of directors
568.495
Disposition of district assets
568.500
Order of dissolution
568.510
Proceedings for dissolution limited
568.520
Petitions nominating directors
568.530
Ballots
568.542
Payment of expenses for director election from county funds
568.545
Procedure for selection of directors of consolidated districts
568.550
General powers of board of directors
568.552
Power of directors to manage and control water resources and projects
568.554
District to submit program and work plans for department review
568.555
Name of district may be changed
568.560
Number of directors
568.565
Procedures for changing number of directors
568.570
Majority constitutes a quorum
568.580
Annual meeting
568.590
Notice of annual meeting
568.600
Legal counsel
568.610
Records
568.620
Consultation with county or municipal representatives
568.730
Officials may enter private lands
568.780
Certain public agencies to be deemed owners
568.790
County funds for personnel and other uses
568.801
Stream control and management projects
568.803
General obligation bonds
568.805
Special assessments
568.806
Ad valorem tax
568.807
Electors authorizing taxation
568.808
Taxing district to file legal description and map
568.810
Purpose of ORS 568.810 to 568.890
568.820
Designation of areas by county court upon petition
568.830
Publication and posting of notices describing districts
568.840
Election of advisory board
568.850
Wind erosion inspector
568.860
Inspector may enter lands in district
568.870
County court may authorize inspector to control erosion
568.880
Tax levy for wind erosion control
568.890
District may be dissolved
568.900
Definitions for ORS 568.900 to 568.933
568.903
“Landowner” defined
568.906
Plan implementation to involve local agencies
568.909
Boundaries for land subject to water quality plans
568.912
Management plan rules
568.915
Entry upon land
568.918
Notice to landowner of failure to perform requirements
568.921
Fees from landowners
568.924
Interagency agreements
568.927
Law inapplicable to certain forest practices
568.930
Agricultural activities subject to plan requirements
568.933
Civil penalties
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