ORS 498.062: Takings of beaver by owners of forestland; rules.

(1) As used in this section: (a) “Beaver” means a member of the species Castor canadensis. (b) “Forest practices” has the meaning given that term in ORS 527.620. (c) “Forestland” has the meaning given that term in ORS 527.620. (d) “Small forestland” means forestland whose owner owns or holds common ownership interest in less than 5,000 acres of forestland in this state. (2) Notwithstanding ORS 498.012 (1), an owner of forestland, other than small forestland, or a designee of the owner, may take a beaver on the owner’s forestland only if: (a) The beaver apparently poses a threat to infrastructure. (b) The owner or a designee of the owner first requests that the State Department of Fish and Wildlife address the threat to infrastructure apparently posed by the beaver. (c) The owner or a designee of the owner waits 30 days after making the request described in paragraph (b) of this subsection before taking the beaver. (3) If the department receives a request under subsection (2)(b) of this section, the department shall make a reasonable attempt to nonlethally relocate the beaver, as department resources allow, or otherwise address the threat to infrastructure apparently posed by the beaver, in consultation with the owner or a designee of the owner. (4) Notwithstanding subsection (2) of this section and ORS 498.012 (1), if a beaver on privately owned forestland damages or imminently threatens infrastructure, an owner of forestland, other than small forestland, or a designee of the owner, may take the beaver without submitting a request to the department under subsection (2) of this section. (5) An owner, or a designee of an owner, that takes a beaver under subsection (2) or (4) of this section must report the taking as described in ORS 498.061. (6) In consultation with persons engaged in forest practices and other interested stakeholders, the department shall: (a) Make reasonable attempts to nonlethally relocate beavers, as department resources allow. (b) Develop a program for voluntarily relocating beavers. (7) Notwithstanding ORS 496.162 (3), the State Fish and Wildlife Commission shall adopt rules to implement this section. [2022 c.33 §23]