OAR 736-040-0035: Rules of Land Management

These rules and regulations governing the use of related adjacent lands and improvements made on or to these lands apply to all designated scenic waterways. Land management on scenic waterways includes, but is not limited to, the following examples: (1) Timber Harvest: The forest cover on related adjacent land is a part of the scenic beauty of the scenic waterway and notification of planned timber harvest operations must be given to the Commission one year prior to commencement. The notification must include a plan specifying timber to be cut, road locations, logging methods, slash cleanup, soil stabilization, revegetation measures and any other details as the Commission may require. (2) Tree Cutting: No person shall cut any living tree within a scenic waterway without prior written notice except as provided in these rules. (3) Grazing and Farming: Existing use in the form of grazing or farming of the related adjacent land is a part of the scenic beauty of the waterway. Notification is not required for: (a) Construction of fences; (b) Maintenance of farm buildings, fences or appurtenances necessary to existing use; (c) Laying of irrigation lines; (d) Pump house construction, if not in violation of OAR 736-040-0030(5); (e) Additions to farm buildings, if not in violation of OAR 736-040-0030(5); (f) Crop rotation; (g) Variations in grazing land management; (h) Placing of grazing land under cultivation, except within classified natural river areas named in OAR 736-040-0045 through 736-040-0075; (i) Construction of silos and grain storage facilities, and other structures or buildings as are needed in connection with the existing use of the related adjacent land, if not in violation of OAR 736-040-0030(5), except within classified natural river areas named in OAR 736-040-0045 through 736-040-0075; (j) Cutting of danger trees. Notification is required for construction of new roads or improvement of existing roads. (4) Suburban Housing: Notification is not required for: (a) Maintenance of existing homes in a manner compatible with these rules and regulations; (b) Modifications to existing single family dwellings, if not in violation of OAR 736-040-0030(5); (c) Construction of garages necessary to the use of existing homes, if not in violation of OAR 736-040-0030(5); (d) Changes in or additions to homesite landscaping which do not impair vegetation screening structures from view from the river; (e) Construction of protective fences necessary to use of the home; (f) Cutting of firewood for occupant's dwelling; (g) Cutting of danger trees. Notification is required for construction of new roads or improvement of existing roads. (5) Prospecting, Mining, Dredging, and Quarrying: (a) All prospecting, mining, dredging, and quarrying operations, including removal or movement of gravel, rocks and sand within related adjacent lands, require notification to the Commission as prescribed herein; (b) Such notification shall include plans to ensure that debris, silt, chemicals or other materials, will not be discharged into or allowed to reach the waters within a scenic waterway and that the natural beauty of the scenic waterway will not be impaired substantially. (6) Transportation Facilities and Utilities: (a) No roads, railroads or other facilities for transportation or utilities shall be constructed or improved within a scenic waterway without notification to the Commission as prescribed by the Act and herein; (b) The Commission, whenever practicable, will require the sharing of land and airspace by such facilities and utilities. All permissible transportation facilities and utilities shall be so located as to minimize impairment of the natural beauty of the scenic waterway. For example, it will be desirable to place electrical and telephone lines underground wherever reasonably practicable. (7) Structures, Buildings, and Other Improvements: Except as provided in OAR 736-040-0030(5), sections (3) and (4) of this rule and OAR 736-040-0045 through 736-040-0075, no structures, buildings, or other improvements shall be made, erected or placed on related adjacent lands without notification to the Commission as prescribed by the Act and herein. Permitted new structures, buildings, or other improvements on related adjacent lands which can be seen from the waters within a scenic waterway shall: (a) Be of such design and be constructed of such materials as to be unobtrusive and compatible with the scenic qualities of the area. For example, the following shall apply: (A) All structures shall be finished in muted tones appropriate to their natural surroundings; (B) No large areas, including roofs, shall be finished with white or bright colors or reflective materials; (C) No structures shall exceed 30 feet in height from natural grade on a side facing the river; (D) All structures shall be so designed and constructed that little or no soil is left exposed when construction is completed. (b) Be located in such a way that topography and natural vegetation make them as inconspicuous as reasonably practicable, and in no case obtruding on the view from the river. The Commission may require that additional vegetative screening be established and maintained. In such event, it shall be evergreen, wherever practicable, and compatible with natural growth in the area. (8) Mobile homes, modular residential structures, house trailers, campers and similar structures and vehicles. Mobile homes, modular residential structures, house trailers, campers, motor homes and the like shall not be established as dwellings, either permanent, (or) seasonal or temporary, within related adjacent lands unless they are entirely concealed from view from the waters within a scenic waterway by topography, except that those mobile homes, modular residential structures and house trailers, that are at least 20 feet wide, with exterior dimensions, less hitch, of 800 square feet, may be permitted under these rules subject to the same requirements and standards set forth in the previous section relating to criteria for review for structures and improvements that are visible from the waters within a scenic waterway. Additionally, except when a mobile home, modular residential structure, house trailer or the like is not set on a ground-level foundation, full skirting shall be installed which in design, color and texture appears to be an integral part of the exterior of the structure: (a) For the purposes of this division, a structure is a mobile home, modular residential structure, house trailer, camper or motor home if it is used, designed or intended to house persons, and is transported to the site in a state of substantial prefabrication. Once a structure fulfills this test, it shall remain subject to the rule regardless of whether the wheels or other temporary assembly have been removed or detached, and regardless of whether the structure is subsequently relocated; (b) Within public recreation sites and transient public trailer parks where travel trailers, campers, motor homes and similar vehicles are permitted by the public agency, firm or individual maintaining the facility, their transient, short-term use by travelers is allowed, but they shall not be left on the site during their user's absence of more than three day's duration. (9) Maintenance of Structures and Improvements: Owners and users of existing structures and other improvements shall maintain them and their surroundings in a manner and condition in harmony with the environment, compatible with the objectives set forth in these rules and regulations for the classified river area in which they lie, and without impairing substantially the natural beauty of the scenic waterway. The existing color of such structures may be maintained. (10) Replacement of Existing Structures and Improvements: The Commission may approve replacement of existing structures and improvements, including those lost by fire, flood or other casualty, provided the new structure or improvement is in compliance with provisions of the Act and this division. Notification procedures set forth in OAR 736-040-0040 are required. (11) Advertising: No signs or other forms of outdoor advertising that are visible from waters within a scenic waterway shall be constructed or maintained. Property protection signs (No Hunting, No Trespassing, etc.) are exempted. (12) Erosion Protection: The Commission recognizes that erosion protection work and maintenance may be necessary on riverbanks and related adjacent lands along the scenic waterways. Notification, which shall include plans to protect the natural beauty of the scenic waterway, and Commission approval are required. (13) Submerged and Submersible Lands: (a) No dam or reservoir or other water impoundment facility shall be constructed or placer mining permitted on waters within scenic waterways. No water diversion facility shall be constructed or used except by right previously established or as permitted by the Oregon Water Resources Department, State Engineer, or Court decree; (b) No bank protection works or dredging facility shall be constructed or used on such waters, except as permitted by the Director of the Departmentof State Lands and approved by the State Land Board. (14) Emergencies: (a) An owner or their authorized agent may act in emergencies without prior notice when necessary in the interest of public safety, or safety of an owner’s property, except that notice of any action taken shall be filed with the Commission not later than seven days following the commencement of the emergency procedures; (b) An owner or their authorized agent must show that the emergency situation required immediate action to prevent immediate danger or damage. Such emergency procedures shall not be extended beyond the minimum necessary to accomplish the needed protection safely and shall be conducted throughout in such manner as to minimize impairment of the natural beauty of the scenic waterway. For example, car bodies and similar scrap or trash shall not be used as riprap. (15) Solid Waste, Pollution and Sanitation: Owners, occupants and users of related adjacent land shall comply with the rules and regulations of the Department of Environmental Quality relating to solid waste control, water, air and noise pollution control and sewage disposal.