ORS 509.625: Power of department to inspect artificial obstructions and have fish passage constructed or remove obstruction.

(1) The State Department of Fish and Wildlife may determine or ascertain by inspection of any artificial obstruction whether it would be advisable to construct fish passage, or order the construction pursuant to ORS 509.585 of fish passage, at the artificial obstruction. Without affecting other remedies to enforce the requirement to install fish passage, if the State Fish and Wildlife Commission determines that an emergency exists, the commission may order the construction, pursuant to ORS 509.585, of fish passage in the waters of this state inhabited by native migratory fish as deemed adequate to provide passage for native migratory fish. (2) Where fish passage has previously been constructed with or without the approval of the commission and has proved useless or inadequate for the purposes for which it is intended, the commission may improve or rebuild such fish passage. However, such construction or reconstruction shall not interfere with the prime purpose of the artificial obstruction. This subsection may not be construed to require the improvement or rebuilding of fish passage by the commission. (3)(a) The commission may order a person owning or operating an artificial obstruction on the priority list created pursuant to ORS 509.585 who has been issued a water right, owners of lawfully installed culverts or owners of other lawfully installed obstructions to install fish passage or to provide alternatives to fish passage if the commission can arrange for nonowner or nonoperator funding of at least 60 percent of the cost. (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection, the commission may order installation of fish passage or alternatives to fish passage without regard to funding sources: (A) If the person owning or operating the artificial obstruction is already subject to an obligation to install fish passage or to provide alternatives to fish passage under ORS 509.585; (B) If the commission declares an emergency under this section; or (C) If the person owning or operating the artificial obstruction has not been issued a water right or if the artificial obstruction has been otherwise unlawfully installed. (4) If a person who owns or operates an artificial obstruction and who is required to provide fish passage under ORS 509.585 fails to provide fish passage in the manner and time required by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the commission may remove, replace or repair the artificial obstruction or any parts of the obstruction at the expense of the owner or operator. [Amended by 1955 c.707 §53; 1963 c.232 §1; 1965 c.570 §133; 2001 c.923 §11]