ORS 537.407: Water right certificate for reservoirs existing before January 1, 1993; injury to other users; conversion of prior application to notice of exemption.

(1) The Water Resources Department shall issue a water right certificate to any person who submitted an application for a reservoir under section 4, chapter 595, Oregon Laws 1993. (2) Within 90 days after issuing a certificate under subsection (1) of this section, the department shall provide notice of the certificate in the manner the department determines to be the most appropriate. (3) Detailed, legally obtained information demonstrating that a specific reservoir granted a certificate under subsection (1) of this section should not be certificated shall be submitted in writing to the department on or before August 1, 1997: (a) By the State Department of Fish and Wildlife if the reservoir should not be exempt because the existing reservoir, including any impoundment structure, poses a significant detrimental impact to existing fishery resources; or (b) By any person if the existing reservoir should not be exempt because the existing reservoir, including the storage or use of the water, results in injury to an existing water right. (4) Within 180 days after the department receives information under subsection (3) of this section, the Water Resources Director shall determine whether the reservoir results in injury to an existing water right or poses a significant detrimental impact to existing fishery resources. The determination of injury to an existing water right or impact to existing fishery resources shall be based on verifiable evidence. (5) If the director determines that an existing reservoir does not injure an existing water right or pose a significant detrimental impact to existing fishery resources, the certificate for the reservoir shall continue with the same terms and conditions included with the certificate under subsection (1) of this section. (6) If the director determines that an existing reservoir results in injury to an existing water right or poses a significant detrimental impact to existing fishery resources, the director shall require the owner of the reservoir to take appropriate action to mitigate injury to existing water rights or impact to the existing fishery resources. (7) If the director fails to act under subsection (5) or (6) of this section within 180 days after receiving the information under subsection (3) of this section, the certificate shall continue with the same terms and conditions included with the certificate. (8) Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow any owner of a reservoir certificated under this section to increase the quantity of water stored in or diverted from such reservoir on or before January 1, 1995. (9) Any person who submitted an application for a reservoir under section 4, chapter 595, Oregon Laws 1993, may submit a written request to the department to convert the application to a notice of exemption under ORS 537.405. Upon receipt of a request under this subsection, the department shall refund all fees and convert the application to a notice of exemption. [1995 c.752 §3]