ORS 274.952: Determination of state interest in historically filled lands; study; procedures.

(1)(a) The State Land Board shall direct the Department of State Lands to determine whether any interest remains or is vested in the State of Oregon with respect to historically filled lands, as defined in ORS 274.905, in: (A) Waterways of the state subject to tidal influence; (B) Waterways of this state that have been administratively or judicially determined navigable pursuant to ORS 274.400 to 274.412; and (C) Waterways in which the state has asserted ownership prior to the enactment of ORS 274.402 on September 9, 1995. (b) Nothing contained in paragraph (a)(C) of this section is intended to affect the ability of a court of competent jurisdiction to make a determination with respect to a private claim to or interest in real property. (c) In directing a determination by the department under this subsection, the board may designate a specifically described area of land within which the department shall make its determination. (2) Upon direction by the board under subsection (1) of this section, the department shall conduct a study to make the determination. In completing the study, the department shall comply with the following procedures: (a) The department shall provide prompt public notice to affected property owners that the department is beginning the study. (b) Upon completion of a study directed under subsection (1) of this section, the department shall prepare and submit to the board a draft report setting forth the department’s findings and conclusions as to whether any historically filled lands, as defined in ORS 274.905, are located within the area under study and, if so, the extent of the State of Oregon’s interest in the historically filled lands. (c) The department shall provide appropriate prior public notice to affected property owners and other interested parties concerning the draft report. The notice shall provide an opportunity for a public hearing in the area of the affected lands and an opportunity for the public to submit written comments on the draft report and to submit testimony or other evidence concerning the presence of historically filled lands, as defined in ORS 274.905, or the State of Oregon’s interest in the historically filled lands. (3) Following the public hearing under subsection (2) of this section, the board may adopt the draft report submitted by the department as final if substantial evidence in the record supports the report’s findings and conclusions, or the board may refer the report to the department for further action as determined by the board. [2015 c.804 §8]