ORS 537.605: Registration of right to appropriate ground water claimed under ORS 537.585 or 537.595; registration statement.
Edition: 2025 EditionEffective: 2026-01-01Last verified: 2026-09-07
(1) Any person or public agency claiming any right to appropriate ground water under ORS 537.585 or 537.595, except for any purpose exempt under ORS 537.545, is entitled to receive from the Water Resources Commission within three years after August 3, 1955, a certificate of registration as evidence of a right to appropriate ground water as provided in ORS 537.585 or 537.595. Failure of such person or public agency to file a registration statement within such period creates a presumption that any such claim has been abandoned. (2) Upon receipt of a request for registration by any person or public agency referred to in subsection (1) of this section within the period specified, the commission shall provide such person or public agency with a separate registration statement for each well, which shall be completed and returned to the commission. (3) Each registration statement shall be in a form prescribed by the commission, shall be under oath and shall contain: (a) The name and post-office address of the registrant. (b) The nature of the use by the registrant of the ground water upon which the claim of the registrant is based. (c) The dates when the ground water was or will be first applied to beneficial use and the dates when construction of the well was begun and completed. (d) The amount of ground water claimed. (e) If the ground water is used or is to be used for irrigation purposes, a description of the lands irrigated or to be irrigated, giving the number of acres irrigated or to be irrigated in each 40-acre legal subdivision, the dates of reclamation of each such legal subdivision and the date when the ground water was or will be completely applied. (f) The depth to the water table. (g) The location of the well with reference to government survey corners or monuments or corners of recorded plats. (h) The depth, diameter and type of the well, and the kind and amount of the casing. (i) The capacity of the well and well pump in gallons per minute, and the horsepower of the well pump motor. (j) If the ground water is artesian or other ground water not requiring pumping, the rate of flow in gallons in such manner as the commission may prescribe. (k) The amount of ground water pumped or otherwise taken from the well each year. (L) A copy of the log of the completed well, if such log is available. (m) If the ground water supply is supplemental to an existing water supply, identification of any application for a permit, permit, certification or adjudicated right to appropriate water made or held by the registrant. (n) Such other information as the commission considers necessary. (4) Each registration statement shall be accompanied by maps, drawings and other data as the commission considers necessary. (5) The commission may require that any registration statement be supplemented after any well is fully completed by a statement containing such additional information as the commission considers necessary. (6) Any person or public agency who failed to file a registration statement within the period set forth in subsection (1) of this section may file within one year after May 29, 1961, a petition with the commission requesting that the person be given an opportunity to rebut the presumption that the person has abandoned the claim. Upon the filing of such a petition the commission may schedule a hearing to take testimony and evidence on the date of well construction and the use of ground water or the commission may accept sworn statements in writing in support of such petition. No petition shall be denied without a public hearing. If it appears after hearing or from such sworn statements, that the person or public agency has a use of ground water that would be subject to determination under ORS 537.670 to 537.695 as defined in ORS 537.585 and 537.595, the commission shall issue an order authorizing the petitioner to file a registration statement as described under subsection (3) of this section. Upon receipt of the completed registration statement the commission shall issue to the registrant a certificate of registration, as provided in ORS 537.610. [1955 c.708 §7; 1957 c.341 §6; 1961 c.668 §3; 1985 c.673 §50]
Administrative rules citing this section
- OAR 690-013-0005: Introduction — implements
- OAR 690-013-0010: Definitions — implements
- OAR 690-013-0030: Eligibility to Petition — implements
- OAR 690-013-0050: Individual Applications — implements
- OAR 690-013-0070: Interim Transfers — implements
- OAR 690-013-0100: District Petitions — implements
- OAR 690-013-0110: Requests for Additional Information — implements
- OAR 690-013-0150: District Shall Certify Petition — implements
- OAR 690-013-0310: Processing of Petition — implements
- OAR 690-013-0350: Field Verification of the Petition and Map — implements
- OAR 690-190-0005: Purpose and Applicability — implements
- OAR 690-190-0010: Definitions — implements
- OAR 690-190-0010: Definitions — authority
- OAR 690-190-0100: Recording Requirements — implements
- OAR 690-190-0100: Recording Requirements — authority
- OAR 690-190-0200: Compliance and Enforcement — implements
- OAR 690-190-0200: Compliance and Enforcement — authority
- OAR 690-200-0005: Basis for Regulatory Authority — implements
- OAR 690-200-0005: Basis for Regulatory Authority — authority
- OAR 690-200-0020: General Statement About the Standards — implements
- OAR 690-200-0020: General Statement About the Standards — authority
- OAR 690-200-0021: Special Standards — implements
- OAR 690-200-0021: Special Standards — authority
- OAR 690-200-0027: Restrictions on Water Supply Well Construction and Use in Critical Groundwater Areas or Areas Withdrawn by Commission Order — implements
- OAR 690-200-0027: Restrictions on Water Supply Well Construction and Use in Critical Groundwater Areas or Areas Withdrawn by Commission Order — authority
- OAR 690-200-0028: Designated Special Area Standards — implements
- OAR 690-200-0028: Designated Special Area Standards — authority
- OAR 690-200-0046: Perched Ground Water — implements
- OAR 690-200-0046: Perched Ground Water — authority
- OAR 690-200-0050: Definitions — implements
- OAR 690-200-0050: Definitions — authority
- OAR 690-205-0005: License or Permit Required to Construct Water Supply Wells — implements
- OAR 690-205-0005: License or Permit Required to Construct Water Supply Wells — authority
- OAR 690-205-0010: Water Supply Well Constructor License Examination — implements
- OAR 690-205-0010: Water Supply Well Constructor License Examination — authority
- OAR 690-205-0020: Water Supply Well Constructor’s License, Experience Requirements, Trainee Card and Temporary Authorization — implements
- OAR 690-205-0020: Water Supply Well Constructor’s License, Experience Requirements, Trainee Card and Temporary Authorization — authority
- OAR 690-205-0025: Term of Water Well Constructor License and License Fees — implements
- OAR 690-205-0025: Term of Water Well Constructor License and License Fees — authority
- OAR 690-205-0045: Continuing Education Requirement — implements
- OAR 690-205-0045: Continuing Education Requirement — authority
- OAR 690-205-0175: Landowner Well Construction Permit, Fee and Bond — implements
- OAR 690-205-0175: Landowner Well Construction Permit, Fee and Bond — authority
- OAR 690-205-0200: Water Supply Well Construction Notice Required (Start Card) — implements
- OAR 690-205-0200: Water Supply Well Construction Notice Required (Start Card) — authority
- OAR 690-205-0205: Start Card Reporting Requirements — implements
- OAR 690-205-0205: Start Card Reporting Requirements — authority
- OAR 690-205-0210: Well Report Required (Water Supply Well Log) — implements
- OAR 690-205-0210: Well Report Required (Water Supply Well Log) — authority
- OAR 690-210-0130: Sealing of Wells in Unconsolidated Formations Without Significant Clay Beds — implements
- OAR 690-210-0130: Sealing of Wells in Unconsolidated Formations Without Significant Clay Beds — authority
- OAR 690-210-0140: Sealing of Water Supply Wells in Unconsolidated Formations with Significant Clay Beds — implements
- OAR 690-210-0140: Sealing of Water Supply Wells in Unconsolidated Formations with Significant Clay Beds — authority
- OAR 690-210-0150: Sealing of Water Supply Wells in Consolidated Formations — implements
- OAR 690-210-0150: Sealing of Water Supply Wells in Consolidated Formations — authority
- OAR 690-210-0155: Additional Standards for Artesian Water Supply Wells — implements
- OAR 690-210-0155: Additional Standards for Artesian Water Supply Wells — authority
- OAR 690-210-0160: Additional Standards for Filter Pack Wells with Surface Casing — implements
- OAR 690-210-0160: Additional Standards for Filter Pack Wells with Surface Casing — authority
- OAR 690-210-0170: Additional Standards for Filter Pack Wells without Surface Casing — implements
- OAR 690-210-0170: Additional Standards for Filter Pack Wells without Surface Casing — authority
- OAR 690-210-0180: Additional Standards for Driven or Jetted Wells — implements
- OAR 690-210-0180: Additional Standards for Driven or Jetted Wells — authority
- OAR 690-210-0190: Steel Casing — implements
- OAR 690-210-0190: Steel Casing — authority
- OAR 690-210-0220: Plastic Casing Joints — implements
- OAR 690-210-0220: Plastic Casing Joints — authority
- OAR 690-210-0230: Inner Casing — implements
- OAR 690-210-0230: Inner Casing — authority
- OAR 690-210-0240: Casing Shall be Centered — implements
- OAR 690-210-0240: Casing Shall be Centered — authority
- OAR 690-210-0270: Pitless Well Adapters and Units — implements
- OAR 690-210-0270: Pitless Well Adapters and Units — authority
- OAR 690-210-0280: Access Ports, Dedicated Measuring Tubes and Airlines — implements
- OAR 690-210-0280: Access Ports, Dedicated Measuring Tubes and Airlines — authority
- OAR 690-210-0290: Liner Pipe — implements
- OAR 690-210-0290: Liner Pipe — authority
- OAR 690-210-0320: Methods of Placement of Cement Grout or Concrete — implements
- OAR 690-210-0320: Methods of Placement of Cement Grout or Concrete — authority
- OAR 690-210-0380: Disinfection of a Well — implements
- OAR 690-210-0380: Disinfection of a Well — authority
- OAR 690-210-0400: Construction of Dug Wells — implements
- OAR 690-210-0400: Construction of Dug Wells — authority
- OAR 690-210-0410: Buried Slab Construction — implements
- OAR 690-210-0410: Buried Slab Construction — authority
- OAR 690-210-0420: Surface Curbing — implements
- OAR 690-210-0420: Surface Curbing — authority
- OAR 690-215-0005: Prevention of Groundwater Contamination, Health Hazard, and Waste — implements
- OAR 690-215-0005: Prevention of Groundwater Contamination, Health Hazard, and Waste — authority
- OAR 690-215-0017: Down Well Continuous Water Treatment and Back-Siphon Prevention Devices — implements
- OAR 690-215-0017: Down Well Continuous Water Treatment and Back-Siphon Prevention Devices — authority
- OAR 690-215-0055: Well Identification Label Maintenance — implements
- OAR 690-215-0055: Well Identification Label Maintenance — authority
- OAR 690-215-0060: Access Ports, Dedicated Measuring Tubes and Airlines — implements
- OAR 690-215-0060: Access Ports, Dedicated Measuring Tubes and Airlines — authority
- OAR 690-215-0070: Pressure Gauge — implements
- OAR 690-215-0070: Pressure Gauge — authority
- OAR 690-215-0201: Dedicated Measuring Tube — implements
- OAR 690-215-0201: Dedicated Measuring Tube — authority
- OAR 690-220-0050: Abandonment of Uncased Wells — implements
- OAR 690-220-0050: Abandonment of Uncased Wells — authority
- OAR 690-225-0020: Investigation of Alleged Violations — implements
- OAR 690-225-0020: Investigation of Alleged Violations — authority
- OAR 690-225-0030: Enforcement Actions — implements
- OAR 690-225-0030: Enforcement Actions — authority
- OAR 690-225-0110: Schedule of Civil Penalties — implements
- OAR 690-225-0110: Schedule of Civil Penalties — authority
- OAR 690-240-0005: Introduction — implements
- OAR 690-240-0005: Introduction — authority
- OAR 690-240-0006: Special Standards — implements
- OAR 690-240-0006: Special Standards — authority
- OAR 690-240-0010: Definitions — implements
- OAR 690-240-0010: Definitions — authority
- OAR 690-240-0024: Well Identification Label — implements
- OAR 690-240-0024: Well Identification Label — authority
- OAR 690-240-0026: Well Identification Label Maintenance — implements
- OAR 690-240-0026: Well Identification Label Maintenance — authority
- OAR 690-240-0060: Monitoring Well Constructor License Examination — implements
- OAR 690-240-0060: Monitoring Well Constructor License Examination — authority
- OAR 690-240-0065: Monitoring Well Constructor License, Experience Requirements, Trainee Card and Temporary Authorization — implements
- OAR 690-240-0065: Monitoring Well Constructor License, Experience Requirements, Trainee Card and Temporary Authorization — authority
- OAR 690-240-0070: Terms of Monitoring Well Constructor License and License Fees — implements
- OAR 690-240-0070: Terms of Monitoring Well Constructor License and License Fees — authority
- OAR 690-240-0210: Continuing Education Requirement — implements
- OAR 690-240-0210: Continuing Education Requirement — authority
- OAR 690-240-0340: Landowner Well Construction Permit, Fee and Bond — authority
- OAR 690-240-0375: Monitoring Well Construction Notice Required (Start Card) — implements
- OAR 690-240-0375: Monitoring Well Construction Notice Required (Start Card) — authority
- OAR 690-240-0385: Start Card Reporting Requirements — implements
- OAR 690-240-0385: Start Card Reporting Requirements — authority
- OAR 690-240-0395: Monitoring Well Report Required (Monitoring Well Log) — implements
- OAR 690-240-0395: Monitoring Well Report Required (Monitoring Well Log) — authority
- OAR 690-240-0410: Monitoring Well Construction: General — implements
- OAR 690-240-0410: Monitoring Well Construction: General — authority
- OAR 690-240-0560: Investigation of Alleged Violations — implements
- OAR 690-240-0560: Investigation of Alleged Violations — authority
- OAR 690-240-0580: Enforcement Actions — implements
- OAR 690-240-0580: Enforcement Actions — authority
- OAR 690-240-0640: Schedule of Civil Penalties — implements
- OAR 690-240-0640: Schedule of Civil Penalties — authority
- OAR 690-260-0030: Notice of Violation — implements
- OAR 690-260-0030: Notice of Violation — authority
- OAR 690-260-0040: Classification of Violations — implements
- OAR 690-260-0040: Classification of Violations — authority
- OAR 690-260-0060: Notice of Assessment of Civil Penalty — implements
- OAR 690-260-0060: Notice of Assessment of Civil Penalty — authority
- OAR 690-300-0010: Definitions — authority
- OAR 690-410-0070: Water Allocation — authority
This rule cites
- ORS 537.585 — resolved
- 537.595 — resolved
- ORS 537.545 — resolved
- ORS 537.670 — resolved
- 537.695 — resolved
- ORS 537.610 — resolved
Cited by
- ORS 537.535: Unlawful use or appropriation of ground water, including well construction and operation.
- ORS 537.585: Beneficial use of ground water prior to August 3, 1955, recognized as right to appropriate water when registered.
- ORS 537.595: Construction or alteration of well commenced prior to August 3, 1955, recognized as right to appropriate water when registered.
- ORS 537.610: Recording registration statement; issuing certificate of registration; effect of certificate; grounds for denial of change; rules; fees.
- ORS 540.045: Watermaster duties.
- OAR 690-025-0020: Definitions
- OAR 690-382-0100: Definitions
Official source: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors537.html