ORS 196.220: Powers and duties of authority.

(1) Except as may otherwise be provided by law, the Willamette Falls Locks Authority may, within or outside the state: (a) Adopt, alter, amend or repeal policies, procedures or bylaws for the organization, administration, development and management of the authority. (b) Enter into contracts and agreements involving property, goods or services with any public or private entity as the authority deems reasonable to carry out the mission and purposes of the authority or to execute any duties, functions or powers of the authority, including but not limited to: (A) Contracts and agreements related to the operation of the Willamette Falls Locks project and associated properties and facilities; (B) The carrying out of the business operations of the authority; (C) The construction, repair, maintenance, seismic stabilization, rehabilitation, upgrade or insurance of authority properties and facilities; and (D) The coordination of activities as needed with the owner of the dam and power plant licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (c) Establish advisory or technical committees and otherwise consult, cooperate or coordinate with any public or private entity as the authority deems necessary or expedient to broaden opportunities for public input on or to carry out the mission and purposes or duties of the authority. (d) Acquire, purchase, receive, hold, control, convey, sell, manage, operate, lease, license, lend, invest, improve, develop, use, dispose of and hold title in the name of the authority to property constituting the Willamette Falls Locks project and associated lands, buildings, easements and museum facilities, and any other real or personal property of any nature. (e) Obtain any permits, approvals or permissions needed in connection with the activities of the authority. (f) Exercise the power of eminent domain under ORS chapter 35 to acquire any right or interest in real property as necessary or expedient to ensure the repair, upgrade, operation, maintenance or access to the Willamette Falls Locks project and any associated properties and facilities. (g) Sue and be sued in its own name. (h) Encourage and accept grants, gifts and donations for the benefit of the authority, and subject to the terms of the gift, retain, invest and use such gifts as deemed appropriate by the authority. (i) Acquire, receive, hold, keep, pledge, control, convey, manage, use, lend, expend and invest funds, appropriations, grants, gifts, bequests, stock and revenue from any source. (j) Borrow money for the needs of the authority, in such amounts and for such time and upon such terms as may be determined by the authority. (k) Purchase any and all insurance, operate a self-insurance program or otherwise arrange for the equivalent of insurance coverage of any nature and for the indemnity and defense of the members of the authority or any officers, agents, employees or other persons designated by the authority to carry out or to further the mission and purposes of the authority. (L) Establish charges and fees, including but not limited to charges and fees for services by the authority and for the use, lease or rental of authority properties and facilities. (m) Contract for law enforcement or security services for authority properties and facilities. (n) Establish and exercise broad operational authority over the Willamette Falls Locks project and associated properties and facilities, including but not limited to establishing days and times of service and a certification program to enable self-operation of the navigation canal and locks by certified users. (o) Establish an operations training program that provides education for all operators of the locks, including but not limited to employees and volunteers of the authority, contractors or commercial operators, to operate the locks in conformance with all safety and operational requirements. (p) Perform any other acts that in the judgment of the authority are necessary or expedient in accomplishing the public mission and purposes described in ORS 196.205 or carrying out the powers granted by ORS 196.200 to 196.240 and 196.993. (2) The Willamette Falls Locks Authority shall at all times cooperate with owners of real property that adjoins the locks, particularly the owner of the dam and power plant licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The authority shall make all reasonable efforts to operate the locks in a manner that does not unreasonably interfere with, impair or disturb the owners’ rights to the full use and enjoyment of the owners’ real property that adjoins the locks. [2021 c.229 §6]