ORS 274.470: Settler’s right to deed to land within meander lines; preferential right to additional land; tacking by successive settlers.

(1) Any person who in good faith settled upon lands within the meander lines of any meandered lake and who, on January 1, 1921, actually resided thereon, who maintained residence thereon for at least five years immediately prior to such date, and who complied with the requirements of settlement, residence, cultivation and improvement, specified for homestead entrymen under the homestead laws of the United States, and which would be sufficient to acquire title by patent if such lands were subject to homestead entry by qualified entrymen, upon proof of such facts to the satisfaction of the Department of State Lands: (a) Is entitled to a deed from the state, conveying and granting such lands not exceeding 160 acres without cost; and (b) Has a preferential right to purchase from the State of Oregon 160 acres of additional lands, chiefly valuable for agricultural purposes. (2) Any person who did not reside on any lands described in subsection (1) of this section for five years immediately prior to January 1, 1921, but who purchased the improvement or possessory rights or claims of a prior occupant, and whose residence and possession when tacked to that of such prior occupant extended for a period of not less than five years immediately prior to such date, shall have a preferential right to purchase such lands, not exceeding 160 acres, the price of which shall be fixed without reference to the value of the improvements thereon. [Amended by 1967 c.421 §136]