Oregon Revised Statutes
Chapter 568 — Soil and Water Conservation; Agricultural Water Management
126 sections568.020 [Repealed by 1983 c.499 §1]
568.030 [Repealed by 1983 c.499 §1]
568.040 [Repealed by 1983 c.499 §1]
568.050 [Repealed by 1983 c.499 §1]
568.060 [Repealed by 1983 c.499 §1]
568.070 [Repealed by 1983 c.499 §1]
568.080 [Repealed by 1983 c.499 §1]
568.090 [Repealed by 1983 c.499 §1]
568.100 [Repealed by 1983 c.499 §1]
568.110 [Repealed by 1983 c.499 §1]
568.120 [Amended by 1969 c.314 §66; repealed by 1983 c.499 §1]
568.130 [Repealed by 1983 c.499 §1]
SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS (Generally)
568.210 Definitions for ORS 568.210 to 568.808 and 568.900 to 568.933
As used in ORS 568.210 to 568.808 and 568.900 to 568.933, unless the context requires otherwise: “Agency of this state” means any public body as defined in ORS 174.109. “Department” means the State Department of Agriculture. “Director” means one of the members of the local governing body of a district elected or appointed in accordance with the provisions…
568.220 [Amended by 1961 c.640 §2; repealed by 1971 c.147 §3]
568.225 Policy
In recognition of the ever-increasing demands on the renewable natural resources of the state and of the need to conserve, protect and develop such resources, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the Legislative Assembly to provide for the conservation of the renewable natural resources of the state and thereby to conserve and develop natural resources,…
568.230 [Amended by 1955 c.142 §5; 1963 c.90 §2; 1969 c.610 §2; repealed by 1981 c.92 §4]
568.240 [Amended by 1953 c.268 §2; 1955 c.142 §6; 1969 c.610 §4; 1971 c.133 §1; 1973 c.792 §26; repealed by 1981 c.92 §4]
568.250 [Amended by 1955 c.142 §7; repealed by 1981 c.92 §4]
568.260 [Amended by 1969 c.610 §5; repealed by 1981 c.92 §4]
568.270 [Amended by 1953 c.268 §2; 1955 c.142 §8; 1969 c.610 §6; 1971 c.133 §2; repealed by 1981 c.92 §4]
568.280 [Amended by 1969 c.135 §2; 1969 c.314 §67; 1969 c.610 §§7,8; repealed by 1981 c.92 §4]
568.290 [Amended by 1957 c.603 §1; 1959 c.575 §1; 1961 c.641 §1; 1963 c.377 §1; repealed by 1981 c.92 §4]
568.300 Petition for formation of district; contents; consolidation of petitions
Any 25 or more landowners or the owners of more than 70 percent of the acres of land lying within the limits of the territory proposed to be organized into a district may file a petition with the State Department of Agriculture asking that a soil and water conservation district be formed to function in the territory described in the petition. Such petition s…
568.310 Notice of hearing; questions considered
Within 60 days after a petition described in ORS 568.300 is filed with the State Department of Agriculture, the department shall give notice of and hold a public hearing: Upon the question of the desirability and necessity, in the interest of the general welfare, of the creation of the district. Upon the question of the appropriate boundaries to be assigne…
568.320 Right to be heard; subsequent notice and hearings
All owners of land and electors within the limits of the territory described in the petition for formation of a district, owners of lands and electors within any territory considered for addition to the described territory, and all other interested parties, shall have the right to attend the public hearing described in ORS 568.310 and to be heard. If it app…
568.330 Determination of need for district; factors considered in determination; territory need not be contiguous
After the hearing under ORS 568.310, if the State Department of Agriculture determines upon the facts presented at the hearing and upon such other relevant facts and information as may be available, that there is need, in the interest of the general welfare, for a soil and water conservation district to function in the territory considered at the hearing, th…
568.340 Determination to not form district; subsequent petitions may be filed
If the State Department of Agriculture determines after the hearing and after due consideration of the relevant facts that a soil and water conservation district in the territory is not administratively practicable or that there is no need for a soil and water conservation district to function in the territory considered at the hearing, the department shall …
568.350 [Amended by 1981 c.92 §11; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.351 Determination of boundaries for proposed district; notice of plan to issue order; publication; request for referendum
If the State Department of Agriculture makes and records a determination that the formation of a soil and water conservation district within a territory is administratively practicable, that there is a need for the district and that formation of the district promotes the public interest and general welfare, the department shall define the boundaries of the p…
568.360 [Amended by 1981 c.92 §12; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.370 Eligible electors
All electors residing within the boundaries of the territory, as determined by the State Department of Agriculture, shall be eligible to vote in the referendum. For the purpose of the referendum, the county clerk shall assist the department in obtaining a list of electors residing within the boundaries of the proposed area.
568.380 Department to pay expenses and supervise hearings and referenda; informalities in referendum
The State Department of Agriculture shall pay all expenses for issuance of the notices and conduct of the hearings and referenda, and shall supervise the conduct of the hearings and referenda. It shall issue appropriate regulations governing the conduct of the hearings and referenda. No informalities in the conduct of the referendum or in any matters relati…
568.390 [Amended by 1973 c.656 §3; 1981 c.92 §15; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.391 Referendum process; ballot contents; results
If a referendum regarding the formation of a district is required under ORS 568.351, the State Department of Agriculture shall: Prepare appropriate ballots and administer the referendum election process; or Enter into an agreement with county officials for administration of the referendum election process by the county. The ballot for a referendum electio…
568.400 Appointment of first directors of district
If the State Department of Agriculture determines that the operation of the proposed district within the defined boundaries is administratively practicable and feasible, the department shall appoint a board of five directors for the district, to serve terms as provided under ORS 568.560.
568.410 Formation of district
A soil and water conservation district may be formed in the following manner: The board of directors appointed under ORS 568.400 shall present to the Secretary of State an application signed and sworn to by them, which shall set forth the procedure followed in the formation of the district. The application shall be accompanied by a map of uniform scale sho…
568.420 Certificate of formation; boundaries of district
The Secretary of State shall make and issue to the board of directors appointed under ORS 568.400 a certificate, under the seal of the state, of the formation of the soil and water conservation district, and shall record the certificate with the application and statement. The boundaries of the district shall include the territory as determined by the depart…
568.430 [Amended by 1955 c.142 §13; 1957 c.603 §3; 1973 c.656 §5; 1981 c.92 §19; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.431 Petitions for inclusion of territory; conditions; referendum
Except as provided under ORS 568.445, one or more landowners may petition the State Department of Agriculture to include the land of the petitioning landowners in an existing soil and water conservation district. The department shall prescribe the form for the petition. The petition must include, but need not be limited to, a legal description of the propert…
568.433 Petitions for withdrawal of territory; conditions; referendum
Except as provided in ORS 568.445, one or more landowners may petition the State Department of Agriculture to withdraw the land of the petitioning landowners from an existing soil and water conservation district. The department shall prescribe the form for the petition. The petition must include, but need not be limited to, a legal description of the propert…
568.435 Boundary change notice for taxation purposes
For purposes of ad valorem taxation, a boundary change must be filed in final approved form with the county assessor and the Department of Revenue as provided in ORS 308.225. Note: 568.435 was added to and made a part of 568.210 to 568.808 by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for furth…
568.440 District legally formed; certificate as evidence
In any suit, action or proceeding involving the validity or enforcement of, or relating to, any contract, proceeding or action of a soil and water conservation district, the district shall be deemed to have been formed in accordance with ORS 568.210 to 568.808 and 568.900 to 568.933 upon proof of the issuance by the Secretary of State of the certificate prov…
568.445 Petitions for inclusion of territory wholly within another district; approval or disapproval by directors and department
Proceedings for inclusion within a district territory adjacent thereto and located wholly within another district may be initiated by: A petition for inclusion filed with the directors of the district within which the territory is proposed to be included, signed by 25 or two-thirds, whichever is the lesser, of the landowners of the adjacent territory; or R…
568.450 Procedure for consolidating districts
Proceedings to consolidate two or more soil and water conservation districts may be initiated by: Petitions to consolidate filed with the State Department of Agriculture by 500 electors or 10 percent of the electors, whichever is less, within the districts affected; or Resolutions to consolidate adopted by the board of directors of each district to be affe…
568.460 Referendum; eligible electors; majority required
In the holding of the referendum for consolidation all electors residing within the affected districts shall be eligible to vote. Unless a majority of the electors in each of the districts involved votes in favor of the proposal, the districts shall not be consolidated.
568.470 [Amended by 1961 c.236 §1; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.471 Effect of consolidating districts
If two or more soil and water conservation districts are consolidated, the corporate existence of the districts and, except as provided in ORS 568.545, the terms of office for the board of directors of the former districts expire upon the Secretary of State issuing and recording a certificate of formation for the consolidated district. Upon consolidation, th…
568.480 [Amended by 1973 c.656 §8; 1981 c.92 §22; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.481 Methods for initiating dissolution of district; notice of process initiation; plan of dissolution and liquidation; public hearings; dissolution order; referendum
The dissolution of a soil and water conservation district may be initiated by any of the following methods: A petition by 500 electors or 10 percent of the electors within the district, whichever is less, filed with the State Department of Agriculture. A resolution of the district board of directors filed with the department. The district board may adopt a…
568.490 [Amended by 1955 c.142 §14; 1981 c.92 §23; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.491 Termination of board of directors; appointment of board of trustees; notice of dissolution; certificate of dissolution
If referendum election results favor the dissolution of a soil and water conservation district, or if the State Department of Agriculture orders the dissolution of a district under ORS 568.481 without a referendum election, the department shall declare the member positions of the district board of directors to be vacant and appoint three individuals to serve…
568.495 Disposition of district assets; insolvency; rules
If a soil and water conservation district that is being dissolved has tax levying authority, the board of trustees for the district shall turn over to the county treasurer any surplus moneys remaining to the credit of the district after payment of the indebtedness of the district. If the assets of the district are insufficient to pay the indebtedness, the bo…
568.500 Order of dissolution; effect
Upon issuance of an order of dissolution by the State Department of Agriculture, all ordinances and regulations adopted and in force within the former soil and water conservation district shall be of no further force and effect.
568.510 Proceedings for dissolution limited
The State Department of Agriculture may not entertain petitions for dissolution of any soil and water conservation district or conduct a referendum or make findings regarding a petition for dissolution of a district in accordance with ORS 568.481 more often than once each year after the first five-year period following formation of the district.
568.515 [1955 c.142 §4; 1981 c.92 §26; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.520 Petitions nominating directors; regular elections; duties of department
A regular election shall be held in each soil and water conservation district on the first Tuesday following the first Monday of November in each even-numbered year for the purpose of electing directors to succeed the directors whose terms expire the following January. Nominating petitions of candidates for director to be voted for at a general district elec…
568.530 Ballots; write-in votes; unfilled positions
The State Department of Agriculture shall furnish the names of all nominees for director on behalf of whom nominating petitions have been filed to the county clerk of the respective counties lying within the district not less than the 61st day before the date of the general election. Ballots shall be printed, voted, counted and canvassed in conformity with t…
568.540 [Amended by 1955 c.142 §15; 1973 c.656 §11; 2007 c.690 §3; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.542 Payment of expenses for director election from county funds
The expenses incurred for the election of directors of a soil and water conservation district under ORS 568.210 to 568.808 and 568.900 to 568.933 shall be paid out of county funds by the county or counties within which the territory of the district lies. Note: 568.542 was added to and made a part of 568.210 to 568.808 by legislative action but was not added…
568.545 Procedure for selection of directors of consolidated districts; selection of officers
If two or more soil and water conservation districts are consolidated, all directors of the former districts may continue to serve until directors for the consolidated district are elected as provided in this subsection. Not later than 30 days after the date of issuance of the certificate referred to in ORS 568.471, the boards of the former districts shall h…
568.550 General powers of board of directors; erosion control covenants; interagency cooperation; land use regulations; department rules
The board of directors of a soil and water conservation district has the following powers: To secure surveys and investigations and do research relating to: The character of soil erosion; The character of floodwater and sediment damage; All phases of the conservation, development, utilization and disposal of water; and The preventive measures, control m…
568.552 Power of directors to manage and control water resources and projects; authority of Water Resources Commission
The members of the local governing body of a soil and water conservation district shall have, in addition to the powers granted to them by ORS 568.550 and within the limits of appropriations and other moneys duly made available to the soil and water conservation district, the power: To plan, construct, maintain, manage, administer or control any works of im…
568.554 District to submit program and work plans for department review
Each conservation district shall submit to the State Department of Agriculture its proposed long-range program and annual work plans for review and comment.
568.555 Name of district may be changed
Upon approval by the State Department of Agriculture, the directors of a soil and water conservation district may submit to the Secretary of State a proposed new name for the district. If the proposed new name is not identical with that of any other soil and water conservation district of this state or so nearly similar as to lead to confusion or uncertainty…
568.560 Number of directors; director qualifications; officers; election; terms; vacancies
The local governing body of the soil and water conservation district shall consist of a board of either five or seven directors elected or appointed as provided by law. To ensure proper representation of all the people in the district and to facilitate district functions, the State Department of Agriculture shall provide for the zoning of each district, and …
568.565 Procedures for changing number of directors
Upon the written recommendation of the local governing body of a district having seven directors, the number of directors of such governing body may be reduced from seven to five by holding a meeting of the governing body at which the directors elect five persons from among their number to serve as directors of the district. The term of office of the directo…
568.570 Majority constitutes a quorum
A majority of the directors constitutes a quorum. The concurrence of a majority in any matter within their duties is required for its determination.
568.580 Annual meeting
Each year after the creation of the first board of directors at a time fixed by resolution of the board, the board, by giving due notice, shall call an annual meeting of the landowners in the district and present an annual report and audit.
568.590 Notice of annual meeting
No later than 15 days prior to the annual meeting, the board of directors for a soil and water conservation district shall cause notices to be published in a paper of general circulation in the area, setting forth the time and place of holding the meeting.
568.600 Legal counsel; delegation of powers; assistance to department
The directors may call upon the Attorney General for such legal services as they may require, or may employ their own counsel. The directors may delegate to their chairperson or to one or more directors such powers and duties as they deem proper. The directors shall make available to the State Department of Agriculture all records and information pertainin…
568.610 Records; audits
The board of directors for a soil and water conservation district shall: Provide for the keeping of a full and accurate record of all proceedings and of all resolutions, regulations, and orders issued or adopted. Provide for an annual audit of the accounts of receipts and disbursements in accordance with ORS 297.210, 297.230 and 297.405 to 297.555.
568.620 Consultation with county or municipal representatives
The directors shall invite the legislative body of any municipality or county located near the territory comprised within the district to designate a representative to advise and consult with the directors of the district on all questions of program and policy which may affect the property, water supply or other interest of such municipality or county.
568.630 [Amended by 1959 c.48 §1; 1981 c.92 §34; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.640 [Amended by 1959 c.48 §2; 1973 c.656 §16; 1983 c.83 §106c; 1983 c.238 §3; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.650 [Amended by 1959 c.48 §3; 1973 c.656 §17; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.660 [Amended by 1959 c.48 §4; 1973 c.656 §18; 1981 c.92 §35; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.670 [Amended by 1959 c.48 §5; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.680 [Amended by 1981 c.92 §36; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.690 [Amended by 1959 c.48 §6; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.700 [Repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.710 [Repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.720 [Amended by 1981 c.897 §66; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.730 Officials may enter private lands
The directors or designated representatives of a soil and water conservation district have authority to go upon any lands within the district after notifying the owner or operator for the purpose of making surveys and carrying out the responsibilities with which the directors or representatives are vested by law. The directors or representatives shall take d…
568.740 [Amended by 1961 c.236 §2; 1981 c.92 §37; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.750 [Amended by 1981 c.92 §38; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.760 [Repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.770 [Amended by 1959 c.48 §7; 1981 c.92 §39; repealed by 2009 c.220 §34]
568.780 Certain public agencies to be deemed owners
Agencies of this state which have jurisdiction over, or are charged with the administration of any state owned lands, and of any county, or other governmental subdivision of the state, which have jurisdiction over, or are charged with the administration of any county owned or other publicly owned lands, lying within the boundaries of any district organized u…
568.790 County funds for personnel and other uses
In any county where one or more soil and water conservation districts have been established as provided by ORS 568.210 to 568.808 and 568.900 to 568.933, the county court of such county may provide and appropriate funds for the use of such district or districts for the employment of necessary personnel including the employment of one county extension agent o…
568.800 [1965 c.27 §§2,3,4; repealed by 1977 c.146 §2]
568.801 Stream control and management projects; application; designation and implementation; rules
Any district that desires to implement a stream bank erosion control or stream corridor management project shall make application therefor to the State Department of Agriculture. The application shall be in such form and shall contain such information as the department may prescribe. By utilizing existing inventories and reports, the department shall design…
568.803 General obligation bonds; refunding bonds; special taxes
When authorized by a majority of electors voting at an election called for that purpose by the directors of a soil and water conservation district, the directors may issue general obligation bonds of the district, not exceeding in value the amount stated in the notice of election and for the purpose named in the notice as provided in ORS chapter 287A. The a…
568.805 Special assessments; improvement bonds; objections by landowners
A district may finance the exercise of any district power or function authorized under this chapter by levying special assessments against property directly benefited thereby and by issuing special assessment improvement bonds. As security for the bonds, the district may pledge all or any part of the revenue from special assessments levied against property d…
568.806 Ad valorem tax; budget; collection
When authorized to become a taxing district by the eligible electors of the district as provided in ORS 568.807, a district may assess, levy and collect an ad valorem tax each year on all taxable property within the limits of the district. The proceeds of the tax shall be applied in carrying out the purposes of ORS 568.210 to 568.808 and 568.900 to 568.933. …
568.807 Electors authorizing taxation; election date
The eligible electors of a district may, by approving a proposition referred to them by the governing body of the district, authorize the district to become a taxing district with the power to thereafter assess, levy and collect an ad valorem tax each year on the real market value of all taxable property within the limits of the district. Approval of a prop…
568.808 Taxing district to file legal description and map
When a district is authorized to become a taxing district as provided in ORS 568.807, the governing body of the district shall file a legal description and accurate map of the district with the Department of Revenue and the county assessor. The description and map shall satisfy the requirements of ORS 308.225, and that section shall thereafter apply to the d…
568.810 Purpose of ORS 568.810 to 568.890; types of wind erosion
The purpose of ORS 568.810 to 568.890 is to effectuate the control of wind erosion by forming districts in which all land owners affected shall carry out wind erosion control measures whenever serious wind erosion conditions prevail. Two types of wind erosion conditions shall be recognized: The actual movement of soil by wind to such a degree that the tops…
568.820 Designation of areas by county court upon petition; description of boundaries
The county court of any county east of the summit of the Cascade Mountains may designate areas as wind erosion districts when presented with a duly certified petition adequately describing the boundaries or area included in such districts and when the petition bears the signatures of two-thirds of the landowners or qualified representatives in the described …
568.830 Publication and posting of notices describing districts; when regulations are enforced
The county court shall within 10 days after declaring a wind erosion district cause to be published an official notice adequately describing the district. Each notice shall be posted in a prominent place in the county courthouse and shall be published in one or more newspapers serving the district, for two consecutive issues if weekly or two times at an int…
568.840 Election of advisory board; meetings; members; functions
Within 30 days after a wind erosion district has been designated by the county court the court shall cause to be posted in three public places in such wind erosion district a written or printed notice notifying the farm operators thereof to assemble at some designated convenient place on the 10th day after the date of notice at 10 a.m. for the purpose of ele…
568.850 Wind erosion inspector; appointment; duties; appeal from decision; compensation; expenses
The county court, upon the recommendation of the advisory board, shall appoint an inspector who shall, within the wind erosion district or districts under the supervision of the inspector: Determine when serious wind erosion conditions prevail. Serve notices on landowners or occupants to effectively control wind erosion on their lands or correct conditions…
568.860 Inspector may enter lands in district; service of notice on owner or occupant
The wind erosion inspector shall have access to all lands within the district or districts under the supervision of the inspector. If in the judgment of the inspector wind erosion is occurring or is likely to occur because proper control measures are not being practiced, the inspector shall serve a written notice to any such owner or occupant of such land, o…
568.870 County court may authorize inspector to control erosion; expenses of control
If the owner or occupant of the land fails or refuses to control wind erosion in accordance with ORS 568.810 to 568.890, the wind erosion inspector shall at once notify the county court, and the county court shall authorize the wind erosion inspector or such assistants as the inspector may employ to go upon the land and control the wind erosion, using the mo…
568.880 Tax levy for wind erosion control
The county courts of the several counties may levy a tax and create a fund for the control of wind erosion on county land within the wind erosion districts and for expenses of erosion control which cannot fairly be charged to the individual landowners. The amount estimated by the county court as being sufficient for such purposes may be placed in the county …
568.890 District may be dissolved; disposition of district funds; change of district boundaries
Any wind erosion district may be enlarged, contracted or dissolved by the county court when a petition is filed bearing the signatures of two-thirds of the landowners of the district and stating the changes in the district boundaries that are desired. All such changes shall be described as provided in ORS 568.820. Any moneys remaining in any fund for the co…
568.900 Definitions for ORS 568.900 to 568.933
As used in ORS 568.900 to 568.933: “Board” means the State Board of Agriculture. “Operator” means any person, including a landowner or land occupier engaged in any commercial activity relating to the growing or harvesting of agricultural crops or the production of agricultural commodities. “Water” or “the waters of the state” has the meaning given in ORS …
568.903 “Landowner” defined
Notwithstanding the definition given in ORS 568.210, as used in ORS 568.909 to 568.933 “landowner” includes any landowner, land occupier or operator.
568.906 Plan implementation to involve local agencies
It is the intention of the Legislative Assembly that plans developed under ORS 568.900 to 568.933 involve soil and water conservation districts as local management agencies to the fullest extent practical, consistent with the timely and effective implementation of these plans.
568.909 Boundaries for land subject to water quality plans; implementation of plan and rules
The State Department of Agriculture may describe the boundaries of agricultural and rural lands that are subject to a water quality management plan: Due to a determination by the Environmental Quality Commission to establish a Total Maximum Daily Load for a body of water under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1313); Due to a declaration o…
568.912 Management plan rules; required actions under rules; prohibiting specific practices; landowner appeals
The State Department of Agriculture in consultation with the State Board of Agriculture may adopt rules necessary to implement a water quality management plan initiated under ORS 568.909. The rules adopted under this subsection shall constitute the only enforceable aspects of a water quality management plan. Pursuant to rules adopted under subsection (1) of…
568.915 Entry upon land; purpose; consultation with Department of Justice; notice to landowners
After making a reasonable attempt to notify the landowner, the State Department of Agriculture or a designee of the department may enter any lands within the area subject to a water quality management plan for the purpose of determining: Those actions that may be required of landowners under ORS 568.900 to 568.933 or rules adopted under ORS 568.912; and Wh…
568.918 Notice to landowner of failure to perform requirements
Upon finding that a landowner in an area subject to a water quality management plan has failed to perform actions required by the rules adopted under ORS 568.912, the State Department of Agriculture shall notify the landowner and direct the landowner to perform the work or take any other actions necessary to bring the condition of the subject lands into comp…
568.921 Fees from landowners
The State Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the State Board of Agriculture, may establish and collect fees from landowners subject to a water quality management plan adopted under ORS 568.909. The fees shall not exceed the total cost of developing and carrying out the plan and shall not exceed $200 annually per landowner. Fees established by th…
568.924 Interagency agreements
The State Department of Agriculture may enter into agreements with any agency of this state, including but not limited to a soil and water conservation district, or with any agency of the federal government, for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of ORS 568.900 to 568.933 including the development of a plan.
568.927 Law inapplicable to certain forest practices
The provisions of ORS 568.900 to 568.933 shall not apply to any forest practice conducted on forestland as defined in ORS 527.620.
568.930 Agricultural activities subject to plan requirements; consultation with Environmental Quality Commission; review and revision of plans
Landowners shall conduct all agricultural activities on agricultural lands within the boundaries of an area subject to a water quality management plan in full compliance with the rules implementing the plan and with all the rules and standards of the Environmental Quality Commission relating to water pollution control. In addition to any other remedy provide…
568.933 Civil penalties; availability; reductions
In addition to any other liability or penalty provided by law, the State Department of Agriculture may impose a civil penalty on a landowner of lands within an agricultural or rural area subject to a water quality management plan for failure to comply with rules implementing the plan. The department may not impose a civil penalty on a landowner for a first …
568.950 Agricultural water management technical assistance program
The Oregon State University Extension Service and the Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station shall jointly establish an agricultural water management technical assistance program. The technical assistance program shall be a voluntary, nonregulatory and incentive-based program that may include the following elements: Staffing of agricultural…
568.952 Implementation of agricultural water management technical assistance program
To carry out the technical assistance program described in ORS 568.950, the Oregon State University Extension Service and the Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station may: Support the acquisition and maintenance of equipment necessary for the collection of weather data, climate data and data related to agricultural water use and management, i…
568.954 Reports to interim committees of Legislative Assembly
The Oregon State University Extension Service and the Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station shall jointly: Prepare an annual report describing climate-related impacts on agricultural producers, including, but not limited to, flood and drought impacts, and recommendations to increase agricultural resilience; and Submit the report in the ma…
568.970 Grant program for treatment of western juniper
As used in this section, “local workforce development board” and “workforce program” have the meanings given those terms in ORS 660.300. The Oregon Department of Administrative Services shall provide grants to soil and water conservation districts organized under ORS 568.210 to 568.808 and 568.900 to 568.933 and to counties for the treatment of western juni…
568.972 Grant program monitoring areas
Oregon State University shall consult with recipients of grants under ORS 568.970 to assist the recipients with establishing monitoring areas in central Oregon, Harney County and Klamath County. Monitoring must be conducted for a period of at least five years and must include: Overstory and understory vegetation surveys to assess soil, water and vegetation…
568.973 Grant to Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council
The Oregon Department of Administrative Services shall provide a grant to the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council to: In rural areas of this state, coordinate efforts to identify and apply for sources of funding for western juniper treatment, or other water conservation projects, among cities, counties or other organizations; and Coordinate activities…
568.974 [2023 c.606 §37; repealed by 2024 c.107 §11]
568.976 Acceptance of nongrant moneys by grant recipients
Recipients of grants described in ORS 568.970, as well as organizations described in ORS 568.973 and sections 51 and 52, chapter 606, Oregon Laws 2023, may accept moneys from state agencies, federal or private funds or grants or the Emergency Board, in addition to the grants, for purposes described in ORS 568.970 and 568.972. Note: See first note under 568.…