OAR 141-085-0535: Exemptions Specific to Agricultural Activities

These exemptions apply in all waters of this state except State Scenic Waterways. (1) Exemptions Do Not Apply to Nonfarm Uses. The exemptions under OAR 141-085-0535(2) and (3) do not apply to any fill or removal that involves changing an area of wetlands to a nonfarm use. (2) Normal Farming and Ranching Activities on Converted Wetlands. “Converted Wetlands” are defined under OAR 141-085-0510. Exempt activities on converted wetlands include: (a) Plowing; (b) Grazing; (c) Seeding; (d) Planting; (e) Cultivating; (f) Conventional crop rotation; and (g) Harvesting. (3) Certain Activities Conducted on Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) Zoned Land. The following activities on lands zoned for exclusive farm use as described in ORS 215.203 and designated in the city or county comprehensive plan are exempt: (a) Drainage or maintenance of farm or stock ponds; (b) Maintenance of existing farm roads in such a manner as to not significantly adversely affect wetlands or any other waters of this state; or (c) Subsurface drainage by deep ripping, tiling or moling, limited to converted wetlands. (4) Farm Uses on Certified Prior Converted Cropland. Any activity defined as a farm use in ORS 215.203 is exempt if the land is zoned for exclusive farm use pursuant to ORS 215.203, if the lands are converted wetlands that are also certified as prior converted cropland by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, as long as commercial agricultural production on the land has not been abandoned for five or more years. (5) Federal Conservation Reserve Program. Reestablishment of crops under federal conservation reserve program provisions set forth in 16 U.S.C. 3831. (6) Activities Customarily Associated with Agriculture in Essential Indigenous Anadromous Salmonid Habitat (ESH). These are activities, including maintenance activities, that are commonly and usually associated with the raising of livestock or the growing of crops in Oregon. Removal-fill covered by this exemption must not exceed 50 cubic yards of material. (7) Agricultural Drainage Ditch Maintenance. Exempt maintenance of agricultural drainage ditches under OAR 141-085-0530(4) includes disposal of dredged material in a thin layer on converted wetlands, provided such disposal does not change wetland to upland. For the purposes of this exemption, “ditch” is defined in 141-085-0510(28). (8) Push-Up Dams. (a) Department-authorized push-up dams equal to or greater than 50 cubic yards can continue to be maintained indefinitely during the irrigation season and reconstructed each successive season provided the work is done in compliance with all original permit conditions and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife fish passage statutes (ORS 509.580 through 509.910). In the event of conflicts with the original permit conditions, the most recent fish passage requirements will be controlling. (b) Push-up dams that were built prior to September 13, 1967, are exempt from the Removal-Fill Law if they meet the following tests: (A) Are reconstructed, serviceable and used within the past five years; (B) Have the same effect as when first constructed (i.e., size and location); and (C) Are operated in a manner consistent with the water right certificate and ORS 540.510(5). (c) Push-up dams less than 50 cubic yards used for agricultural purposes in ESH are exempt.