CCLME.ORG - Submerged and Submerged Lands
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274.540 [Amended by 1953 c.181 §2; 1961 c.509 §3; 1961 c.676 §4; 1967 c.421 §45; renumbered 273.225]



274.550 Removal of material without payment of royalties; eligible material and uses. (1) A person may remove material from submersible and submerged lands owned by the State of Oregon without payment of royalties to the Department of State Lands if the material is:

(a) Removed for channel or harbor improvement or flood control;

(b) Used for filling, diking or reclaiming land owned by the state or any political subdivision as defined in ORS 271.005 and located not more than two miles from the bank of the stream;

(c) Used for the creation, maintenance or enhancement of fish or wildlife habitat;

(d) Used for the maintenance of public beaches; or

(e) Contaminated with hazardous material, as defined in ORS 466.605, provided that the person gives the department written notice of the removal at least 30 days prior to disposal.

(2) A person does not have to pay royalties to the state for the following uses of material, if the person provides at least 30 days’ written notice to the department of the intended use:

(a) The filling of any property up to an elevation of one foot above the line of ordinary high water of a waterway by a state agency or political subdivision, as defined in ORS 271.005.

(b) The material is used solely for a public purpose by a political subdivision, as defined in ORS 271.005.

(3) A person may not remove any material from the place it was first deposited or use the material as an article of commerce without providing, prior to the removal of the material, written notification to the department and payment of any royalties for the material as determined by the department.

(4) In addition to the purposes enumerated in subsection (1) of this section, any person may take material for the exclusive use of the person to the extent of not more than 50 cubic yards or the equivalent weight in tons in any one year. However, before taking the material, the person shall first notify the department.

(5) Upon the removal of material from submersible or submerged lands not exempt from the payment of royalties, royalties in an amount established by the department must be paid to the department.

(6) For purposes of this section:

(a) “Article of commerce” means any material, other than material used for upland disposal or contaminated material put to beneficial use, that is bought, sold or exchanged in any manner for goods or services and that otherwise would have to be acquired from alternative sources.

(b) “Reclaiming land” means raising the elevation of a portion of land within a 100-year flood plain to not more than one foot of elevation higher than the highest elevation of the 100-year flood plain, or protecting land otherwise in the 100-year flood plain by the construction of dikes or other flood control improvements. [Amended by 1961 c.149 §1; 1961 c.676 §5; 1967 c.421 §146; 1969 c.594 §44; 1971 c.509 §3; 1981 c.787 §53; 2003 c.465 §1]



274.560 Lease terms; bond or security; option to lease or purchase forbidden; monthly reports and payments; rules. (1) The Department of State Lands may enter into contract of lease for purposes of ORS 274.525 to 274.590 with such stipulations protecting the interest of the state as the department may require, and may require a bond with a surety company authorized to transact a surety business in this state, as surety, or other form of security, to be given by the lessee for performance of such stipulations, and providing for forfeiture for nonpayment or failure to operate under the contract. No contract shall be entered into giving any person an option of leasing or purchasing the property of the State of Oregon. The lessee in all such contracts shall report monthly to the department the amount of material taken under the contract and pay to the department the amount of royalty thereon provided in the contract.

(2) The department shall adopt rules to establish criteria to determine when security is required. [Amended by 1965 c.375 §1; 1967 c.421 §147; 1969 c.594 §45; 1991 c.264 §1]



274.570 [Amended by 1967 c.421 §106; renumbered 274.035]



274.580 [Amended by 1961 c.509 §4; 1967 c.421 §46; renumbered 273.231]



274.590 Cooperation with Washington authorities respecting removal of material from bed of Columbia River. The Department of State Lands shall cooperate with the proper authorities of the State of Washington in contracting for, receiving and collecting royalties or other revenues for the taking of material from the submersible and submerged lands of the Columbia River and enter into such agreements as may be advisable or necessary with such officers of the State of Washington for the division of such royalties. [Amended by 1967 c.421 §148]



274.600 [Amended by 1967 c.33 §1; 1967 c.421 §47; 1967 c.567 §16; renumbered 273.235]



274.605 [Amended by 1967 c.421 §48; renumbered 273.241]



EXPLORATION FOR MINERALS



274.610 Contracts for exploration for hard minerals prohibited; scientific research not prohibited. (1) The Department of State Lands shall not enter into contracts for governmental or private development or exploration for hard minerals on state-owned submersible and submerged lands within the territorial sea and navigable bays that are subject to the jurisdiction of the department.

(2) Nothing in this section shall be considered to prohibit scientific research conducted by or on behalf of an academic institution or a government agency.

(3) As used in subsection (1) of this section, “hard minerals” includes but is not limited to natural deposits or mineral sources of gold, silver, copper, lead, iron, manganese, silica, chrome, platinum, tungsten and zirconium. “Hard minerals” does not include oil, gas or sulphur deposits subject to ORS 274.705 to 274.860.

(4) As used in this section:

(a) “Exploration” means any activity the principal purpose of which is to define, characterize or evaluate hard mineral deposits for possible commercial development or production.

(b) “Scientific research” means any activity the principal purpose of which is to improve scientific or technical understanding of earth, ocean or atmospheric processes, hazards and resources and for which the data generated are nonproprietary or public. [1991 c.217 §1]



Note: 274.610 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 274 by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.



274.611 [1967 c.421 §150; 1987 c.300 §1; repealed by 1991 c.217 §6]



274.615 [1961 c.703 §§1,13; 1967 c.421 §151; 1987 c.300 §2; repealed by 1991 c.217 §6]



274.620 [1961 c.703 §2; 1965 c.375 §2; 1967 c.421 §152; 1969 c.594 §46; 1987 c.300 §3; repealed by 1991 c.217 §6]



274.625 [1961 c.703 §3; 1967 c.421 §153; 1987 c.300 §4; repealed by 1991 c.217 §6]



274.630 [1961 c.703 §4; 1967 c.421 §154; 1987 c.300 §5; repealed by 1991 c.217 §6]



274.635 [1961 c.703 §§5,8 and 12; 1967 c.421 §155; 1987 c.300 §6; repealed by 1991 c.217 §6]



274.640 [1961 c.703 §§7,10; 1967 c.421 §156; 1987 c.300 §8; repealed by 1991 c.217 §6]



274.645 [1961 c.703 §11; 1967 c.421 §157; repealed by 1987 c.300 §10]



274.650 [1961 c.703 §6; repealed by 1967 c.421 §206]



TIDAL SUBMERGED AND SUBMERSIBLE LANDS



(General Provisions)



274.705 Definitions for ORS 274.705 to 274.860. As used in ORS 274.705 to 274.860, unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) “Filled lands” includes submerged and submersible lands reclaimed artificially through raising such lands above the highest probable elevation of the tides to form dry land, by placement of a fill or deposit of earth, rock, sand or other solid imperishable material.

(2) “Gas” means all natural gas and all other fluid hydrocarbons not defined as oil in subsection (4) of this section, including condensate originally in the gaseous phase in the reservoir.

(3) “Lease” means an oil, gas and sulphur lease issued pursuant to ORS 274.705 to 274.860.

(4) “Oil” means crude petroleum oil and all other hydrocarbons, regardless of gravity, which are produced in liquid form by ordinary production methods, but does not include liquid hydrocarbons that were originally in a gaseous phase in the reservoir.

(5) “Person,” in addition to the meanings defined by ORS 174.100, includes quasi-public corporations, political subdivisions and governmental agencies and instrumentalities.

(6) “Structure” means any construction works, including but not limited to derricks, pipelines, lines for the transmission and distribution of electricity, telephone lines, wharves, piers, slips, warehouses and units designed to act as groins, jetties, seawalls, breakwaters or bulkheads.

(7) “Tidal submerged lands” means lands lying below the line of mean low tide in the beds of all tidal waters within the boundaries of this state as heretofore or hereafter established. [1961 c.619 §1; 1967 c.421 §158]



274.710 Jurisdiction of department over tidal submerged lands; easements; leases for oil, gas and sulphur. (1) The Department of State Lands has exclusive jurisdiction over all ungranted tidal submerged lands owned by this state, whether within or beyond the boundaries of this state, heretofore or hereafter acquired by this state (a) by quitclaim, cession, grant, contract or otherwise from the United States or any agent thereof, or (b) by any other means. All jurisdiction and authority remaining in the state over tidal submerged lands as to which grants have been or may be made is vested in the department.

(2) Notwithstanding ORS 273.551, the department shall administer and control all tidal submerged lands described in subsection (1) of this section under its jurisdiction, and may lease such lands and submersible lands and dispose of oil, gas and sulphur under such lands and submersible lands in the manner prescribed by ORS 274.705 to 274.860. However, submerged and submersible lands lying more than 10 miles easterly of the 124th West Meridian shall be subject to leasing for oil, gas and sulphur under ORS 273.551, rather than under ORS 274.705 to 274.860.

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of ORS 274.705 to 274.860, the department may not permit any interference other than temporary interference with the surface of the ocean shore, as defined in ORS 390.615. The department may, however:

(a) Grant easements underlying that part of the surface of the ocean shore owned by the state at such times and at such places as the department finds necessary to permit the extraction and transportation of oil, gas or sulphur from state, federal or private lands; and

(b) Issue oil and gas leases underlying the ocean shore under the same terms and conditions as provided in ORS 274.705 to 274.860. [1961 c.619 §2; 1967 c.421 §159]



274.715 Sulphur leases. ORS 274.705 to 274.860 shall apply equally to the exploration and leasing of lands subject thereto for the production of sulphur. [1961 c.619 §34; 1967 c.421 §160]



274.720 Effect of ORS 274.705 to 274.860 on power to make other leases and on jurisdiction of agencies other than department. ORS 274.705 to 274.860 shall not:

(1) Affect the power of the Department of State Lands to lease mineral rights, including oil, gas and sulphur underlying state lands other than lands subject to ORS 274.705 to 274.860.

(2) Affect the power of the department to lease mineral rights, other than oil, gas and sulphur underlying lands subject to ORS 274.705 to 274.860.

(3) Affect any oil, gas and mineral lease issued before August 9, 1961, by any agency, board or commission of the State of Oregon.

(4) Deprive this state or any agency or instrumentality thereof of its jurisdiction over matters affecting the public health and safety, including but not limited to the control of air and water pollution. [1961 c.619 §§36, 37; 1967 c.421 §161]



274.725 Scope of leases and permits; persons ineligible. (1) Any interests in lands, or lands in fee simple, acquired by the Department of State Lands by purchase, donation, lease condemnation or otherwise, may be made available to any lessee of the state for the purposes contained in ORS 274.705 to 274.860 and upon such terms as may be determined by the department.

(2) No permit or lease shall be granted to any person then in violation of any laws or rules applicable to ORS 274.705 to 274.860. [1961 c.619 §§32, 38,43; 1967 c.421 §162]



(Geological and Geophysical Surveys)



274.735 Application for survey permit; effect of permit; rules. (1) The Department of State Lands upon application by any person may permit geological, geophysical and seismic surveys, including the taking of cores and other samples for purposes related to exploration for oil, gas and sulphur on lands subject to ORS 274.705 to 274.860. However:

(a) Such permits shall be nonexclusive and shall not give any preferential rights to any oil, gas and sulphur lease.

(b) The Department of State Lands in consultation with the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries may grant permission for the taking of cores and other samples.

(c) After consultation with the State Fish and Wildlife Commission, the Department of State Lands shall include such rules and regulations in the permit as are necessary to protect the fish and wildlife resources.

(2) Each application under this section must contain at least the following information:

(a) A description of the areas where the applicant proposes to conduct a survey.

(b) The name and address of the applicant.

(c) Such other relevant information as the Department of State Lands requires. [1961 c.619 §3; 1967 c.421 §163; 1987 c.300 §9; 2003 c.253 §21]



274.740 Issuance of survey permit; renewal; reports. (1) Upon compliance of an applicant with ORS 274.735, the Department of State Lands may issue to the applicant a permit to conduct a geological, geophysical and seismic survey, including the taking of cores and other samples, in areas of the lands subject to ORS 274.705 to 274.860 that are described on the permit. The department may prohibit such surveys on any area if, in consultation with the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, it determines that a lease, if applied for, should not be granted as to such areas. The Department of State Lands shall include in a permit conditions and payments proper to safeguard the interests of the state.

(2) Permits issued under this section may not exceed two years, and may be renewed for like periods upon application to the department and upon showing due compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

(3) The department shall require the permittee to provide the State Fish and Wildlife Commission with complete information with respect to the area or areas of proposed operations, type of exploration and a schedule showing the period or periods during which such explorations will be conducted. Such information shall be treated as confidential unless released by the permittee. [1961 c.619 §4; 1967 c.421 §164; 2003 c.253 §22]



274.745 Drilling logs and records. (1) Records of drilling conducted by a permittee under ORS 274.740 shall be filed by the permittee with the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries as prescribed by ORS 520.095.

(2) The Department of State Lands may require, as a condition to the issuance of any lease under ORS 274.705 to 274.860, that the lessee make available to the Department of State Lands, or the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, upon request, all factual and physical exploration results, logs and records resulting from the operations under the lease. [1961 c.619 §5; 1967 c.421 §165; 1973 c.794 §18]



(Bid Procedure)



274.755 Hearing prior to granting lease or easement. (1) Before granting any easement under ORS 274.705 to 274.860, and before offering lands for leasing under ORS 274.705 to 274.860, or whenever any person files a written application with the Department of State Lands requesting that an easement be granted for such lands or that such lands be offered for leasing under ORS 274.705 to 274.860, accompanying the same with the required fee, the department shall hold a public hearing as provided in this section.

(2) Before granting an easement or inviting bids on any lands subject to ORS 274.705 to 274.860, the department shall cause written notice describing the area under consideration and other pertinent information to be transmitted to:

(a) State Geologist;

(b) Director of Transportation;

(c) Director of the Department of Environmental Quality;

(d) State Fish and Wildlife Director;

(e) The applicant, if any, requesting the lease;

(f) Prospective applicants or bidders, by publication thereof in two or more publications of general circulation in the oil and gas industry; and

(g) The public, by publication thereof once each week for not less than four weeks in a newspaper of general circulation throughout the State of Oregon, and in addition in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the lands lie or the county or counties contiguous to the area under consideration for bidding.

(3) The notice shall set forth the place of hearing and shall set its time at not earlier than the 20th day after date of the last newspaper publication.

(4) Notwithstanding ORS 183.635, hearings under this section may be conducted by an administrative law judge assigned from the Office of Administrative Hearings established under ORS 183.605 or may be conducted by a hearing officer designated by the State Land Board. An officer or employee of each interested state agency, board or commission named in subsection (2) of this section may question any witnesses appearing in the hearing, and any interested person may offer evidence and otherwise be heard. [1961 c.619 §6; 1965 c.375 §3; 1967 c.421 §166; 1969 c.593 §34; 1993 c.741 §25; 1999 c.849 §§57,58; 2001 c.104 §§83,84; 2003 c.75 §31]



274.760 Considerations involved in granting lease or easement. After the public hearing the Department of State Lands shall determine whether the granting of an easement or an invitation for bidding to lease the area under consideration would be in the public interest. In such determination the department shall consider whether an easement or a lease or leases of the area under consideration would:

(1) Be detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of persons residing in, owning real property, or working in the neighborhood of such areas;

(2) Interfere with the residential or recreation areas to an extent that would render such areas unfit for recreational or residential uses or unfit for park purposes;

(3) Destroy, impair or interfere with the esthetic and scenic values of the Oregon coast, or other affected area;

(4) Create any air, water or other pollution;

(5) Substantially endanger marine life or wildlife;

(6) Substantially interfere with commerce or navigation; and

(7) Protect state lands from drainage of oil and gas. [1961 c.619 §7]



274.765 Publishing offer to lease tidal submerged lands; bids; cash bonus; award of lease; fee. (1) The Department of State Lands may offer to lease lands subject to ORS 274.705 to 274.860 by publication of a notice of its intention to do so, once each week for not less than two weeks in two or more newspapers of general circulation in this state, one of which is published or has general circulation in the county in which the lands lie or county or counties contiguous thereto. The notice shall describe the lands so offered, and shall specify the rate of royalty, including the royalty for sulphur, and the rental, the manner in which bids may be filed with the department, the amount of the deposit that must accompany each bid, and the time and place for filing bids, which time shall not be earlier than the 30th day after the date of last publication of such notice. Further, the notice shall state that the lease will be awarded to the bidder offering the highest cash bonus, and that the form of lease, conditions for bidding and bid form may be obtained from the department upon request.

(2) Each bid shall be enclosed in a sealed envelope, shall be on the form provided by the department and shall be accompanied by duplicate lease forms executed by the bidder, and by a certified or cashier’s check or checks payable to the State of Oregon in the amount fixed by the department, which sum shall be deposited as evidence of good faith and except in the case of the successful bidder shall be returned to the bidder. If the successful bidder fails to pay the balance of the cash bonus bid and the annual rental for the first year not later than the 15th day after the award of the lease, or fails to post any bond required by the lease or the rules in effect at the date of the invitation for bids within the time prescribed, the amount of the deposit shall be forfeited to the state.

(3) At the time and place specified in the notice the department shall publicly open the sealed bids and shall award the lease for each parcel to the bidder who, in addition to complying with all of the conditions for bidding, offers the highest cash bonus. The department may, however, reject any or all bids for cause.

(4) Following the award of the lease, the payment by the successful bidder of the balance of the cash bonus, the annual rental for the first year, and the fee specified in this section, and the posting of any required bonds, the department shall execute the lease in duplicate on behalf of the state and transmit one counterpart thereof to the lessee. The lease shall become effective as of the date of such execution.

(5) The department shall prescribe a reasonable fee to cover the procedures under this section, which shall be paid by the successful bidder. [1961 c.619 §27; 1967 c.421 §167]



274.770 Discriminatory requirements prohibited. In leasing lands subject to ORS 274.705 to 274.860, the Department of State Lands may not discriminate between bidders by requiring drilling from:

(1) Upland or littoral drill sites;

(2) Sites on filled land, whether contiguous or noncontiguous to the littoral lands or uplands; or

(3) Any pier, platform or other fixed or floating structure in, on or over lands subject to ORS 274.705 to 274.860, with respect to which this state or any other owner thereof has consented to use. [1961 c.619 §30; 1967 c.421 §168]



(Leases)



274.780 Conditions in leases and permits; execution; delivery of bonds or contracts to department. (1) The form of lease shall contain, in addition to other provisions deemed necessary and desirable by the Department of State Lands, after consultation with the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, the State Fish and Wildlife Commission and other interested agencies, boards and commissions, the provisions of ORS 274.780 to 274.860.

(2) The form of a permit shall contain, in addition to other provisions deemed necessary and desirable by the Department of State Lands, after consultation with the State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, the State Fish and Wildlife Commission and other interested agencies, boards and commissions, the provisions of ORS 274.785 (3).

(3) All leases and other instruments required in carrying out ORS 274.705 to 274.860 shall be executed by the Department of State Lands. All bonds, contracts and other instruments required by ORS 274.705 to 274.860 for the protection of the interests of this state and political subdivisions, persons and property therein shall be executed and delivered to the department. [1961 c.619 §§9,28; 2003 c.253 §23]



274.785 Exclusive rights granted by lease; requirement of diligence; maximum area; assignment. (1) The lease shall grant the exclusive right to drill for and produce all oil, gas and sulphur deposits in the leased land and be for a primary term of 10 years and for so long thereafter as oil, gas or sulphur is produced in paying quantities from the leased land, or lessee is diligently conducting producing, drilling, deepening, repairing, redrilling or other necessary lease or well maintenance operations on the leased land or is excused from conducting such operations under the terms of the lease.

(2) The maximum area which shall be included in any single lease to any person shall be 13,200 acres.

(3) No permit, easement or lease, or any portions thereof shall be assignable without the prior written consent of the Department of State Lands. [1961 c.619 §§8,10,22; 1963 c.359 §1]



274.790 Royalties. (1) The Department of State Lands shall specify in the notice described by ORS 274.765 and in the lease the rate of royalty paid under such lease which royalty shall not be less than 12-1/2 percent of gross production, or the value thereof, produced and saved from the leased lands and not used by lessee for operations thereon or for injection therein. Such royalty shall, at the department’s option, be paid in kind or in value, and be computed after an allowance for the actual cost of oil treatment or dehydration of not to exceed five cents per barrel of royalty oil so treated or dehydrated.

(2) The royalty for sulphur produced under ORS 274.705 to 274.860 shall not be less than $1 per long ton.

(3) The State of Oregon shall have a lien upon all production for unpaid royalties. [1961 c.619 §§11,12; 1967 c.421 §169]



274.795 Rents. The Department of State Lands shall specify a rental payable annually in advance of not less than 50 cents for each acre of land subject to the lease at the rental date. After production has been established, rent paid shall be deducted from any royalty due under the terms of a lease during the year for which such rent has been paid. [1961 c.619 §13]



274.800 Bonds. Sufficient bonding requirements, as determined by the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, shall be specified to secure to the State of Oregon performance and the faithful compliance by the lessee with the terms of the lease, and further to secure adjacent landowners and the public generally as to all proper claims for damages arising from operations thereunder. [1961 c.619 §14]



274.805 Drill sites. Unless otherwise determined by the Department of State Lands, each well drilled pursuant to the terms of the lease may be drilled or slant drilled to and into the subsurface of the lands covered by the lease from upland or littoral drill sites owned or controlled by the state or owned by or available to the lessee, or from drill sites located upon any filled lands heretofore or hereafter filled, whether contiguous or noncontiguous to the littoral lands or uplands, or from any pier heretofore or hereafter constructed owned by or available to the lessee and available for such purpose, or from platforms or other fixed or floating structures in, on or over the lands covered by the lease or otherwise available to the lessee. [1961 c.619 §16; 1967 c.421 §170]



274.810 Commencement of drilling; operational requirements. Subject to the lessee’s right to surrender, the lessee shall commence operations for the drilling of a well within five years from date of the lease and commence production within three years of discovery of oil, gas or sulphur in paying quantities, unless the Department of State Lands shall have, for cause, granted an extension of time for such act. In addition, the lease shall have such exploratory, drilling and producing requirements as the Department of State Lands in consultation with the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries deems necessary to encourage the exercise of due diligence on the part of lessee. [1961 c.619 §20]



274.815 Extension of time when wells to be drilled from filled land or structure. If the lessee, as disclosed by information submitted with the bid of the lessee, proposes to drill one or more wells from filled land, whether contiguous or noncontiguous to the littoral lands or uplands, or from any pier or from platforms or other fixed or floating structures to be constructed for such purpose, and if permission from any federal or state agency is legally required in order to construct any such filled lands or structures, the lessee shall be allowed a reasonable time following the execution of the lease within which to secure the necessary permission from such federal and state agencies as shall be legally required, and, upon the securing of such permission, a further reasonable time, determined with regard to the nature of the filled lands or structure or structures to be constructed within which to commence operations for the drilling of such well or wells, and if necessary, the drilling term provided for in ORS 274.810 shall be extended by the Department of State Lands to the date to which the time to commence operations for the drilling of such well or wells has been extended. [1961 c.619 §19]



274.820 Water contamination or pollution. (1) Avoidable pollution or avoidable contamination of the ocean and of the waters covering lands subject to ORS 274.705 to 274.860, avoidable pollution or avoidable contamination of the beaches or land underlying the ocean or waters covering lands subject to ORS 274.705 to 274.860, or any substantial impairment of and interference with the enjoyment and use thereof, including but not limited to bathing, boating, fishing, fish and wildlife production, and navigation, shall be prohibited, and the lessee shall exercise a high degree of care to provide that no oil, tar, residuary product of oil or any refuse of any kind from any well or works shall be permitted to be deposited on or pass into the waters of the ocean, any bay or inlet thereof, or any other waters covering lands subject to ORS 274.705 to 274.860. However, this section does not apply to the deposit on or passage into such waters of water not containing any hydrocarbons or vegetable or animal matter.

(2) For the purposes of this section, “avoidable pollution” or “avoidable contamination” means pollution or contamination arising from:

(a) The acts or omissions of the lessee or its officers, employees or agents, or

(b) Events that could have been prevented by the lessee or its officers, employees or agents through the exercise of a high degree of care. [1961 c.619 §18; 1967 c.421 §171]



274.825 Nonconflicting use of leased lands. The State of Oregon reserves the right to permit reasonable nonconflicting uses, including seismic surveys but excluding core hole drilling, on lands under lease as long as:

(1) Such uses do not unreasonably impair or interfere with operations of the lessee; and

(2) Requirement is made that the permittee indemnify the lessee against any damage caused by such use. [1961 c.619 §21; 1999 c.59 §71]



274.830 Protecting lands from drainage. The lessee shall at all times proceed with due diligence to protect the leasehold from drainage by wells on lands not owned by the state. [1961 c.619 §23]



274.835 Conformance to laws and regulations; periodic negotiations. It shall be a continuing condition of such lease that the lessee shall conform to all applicable laws of the State of Oregon and all duly promulgated rules and regulations pursuant thereto in effect at the date of the invitation for bids in pursuance of which the lease was awarded. Periodic mutual negotiations between lessee and lessor may be carried out to make conditions, rules and regulations current as warranted by changes in environment or operational methods. [1961 c.619 §26]



274.840 Continuation of lease after cessation of production. In the event production on the leasehold shall cease at any time or from time to time, before or after the expiration of the primary term of the lease, the lease shall nevertheless continue in full force and effect if the lessee shall, within six months after the cessation of production or within such longer period of time as the Department of State Lands may authorize, commence and thereafter prosecute with reasonable diligence drilling, deepening, repairing, redrilling or other operations for the restoration of production of oil, gas or sulphur from the leased lands. [1961 c.619 §15]



274.845 Surrender of lease. The lessee may at any time file with the Department of State Lands a written surrender of all rights under the lease or any portion thereof or any separate or distinct zone or geological horizon or any portion thereof. Such surrender shall be effective as of the date of its filing subject to the continuing obligation of the lessee to pay all rentals and royalties theretofore accrued and to place all wells on the lands or in the zones or horizons surrendered in condition for suspension or abandonment in accordance with the applicable lease terms, regulations and law. Thereupon the lessee shall be released from all obligations under such lease with respect to the lands, zones or horizons surrendered, but no such surrender shall release such lessee from any liability for breach of any monetary obligation of the lease with respect to which such lessee is in default at the time of the filing of such surrender. [1961 c.619 §24]



274.850 Cancellation of lease; partial retention of leasehold; removal of equipment. The Department of State Lands shall reserve and may exercise the authority to cancel any lease upon which oil, gas or sulphur has not been discovered in paying quantities, upon failure of the lessee after 30 days’ written notice and demand for performance to exercise due diligence and care in the prosecution of the prospecting or development work in accordance with the terms of the lease. After discovery of oil, gas or sulphur in paying quantities on lands subject to any lease, such lease may be forfeited and canceled only by appropriate judicial proceedings upon failure of the lessee after 90 days’ written notice and demand for performance to comply with any of the provisions of the lease or of laws or regulations applicable thereto and in force at the date of the invitation for bids in pursuance of which the lease was awarded; provided, however, that in the event of any such cancellation, the lessee shall have the right to retain under such lease any and all drilling or producing wells as to which no default exists, together with a parcel of land surrounding each such well and such rights of way through the leased lands as may be reasonably necessary to enable such lessee to drill and operate such retained well or wells. In the event of the cancellation of any lease, the lessee shall have a reasonable time within which to remove all property, equipment and facilities owned or used by the lessee in connection with operations under the lease. [1961 c.619 §25]



274.855 Restoration of leasehold to original condition. Upon any partial or total termination, surrender or forfeiture of its permit or lease, the Department of State Lands may require that the permittee or lessee, within a reasonable time, restore that portion of the premises that is visible at extreme low tide to substantially its original condition. [1961 c.619 §17]



274.860 Protection and location of filled lands. Under a lease entered into by the Department of State Lands pursuant to ORS 274.705 to 274.860, the fill constituting filled lands may be retained in place or protected by bulkheads, seawalls, revetments or similar enclosures and may be placed at any location approved by the Department of State Lands, in consultation with the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, the State Fish and Wildlife Commission and other interested agencies, boards and commissions. [1961 c.619 §31]



274.865 [1961 c.619 §29; repealed by 1967 c.421 §206]



(Kelp Fields)



274.885 Lease of kelp fields. (1) The Department of State Lands may lease submerged lands owned by the State of Oregon for the purpose of harvesting kelp and other seaweed after consultation with the State Fish and Wildlife Commission.

(2) The lease may be for a term of not to exceed 50 years and shall provide for the payment to the State of Oregon of a sum to be fixed by the department for all kelp or other seaweed harvested under the lease, to be paid at the end of each year. Not more than 40 miles of coast line shall be leased to one person. [Formerly 274.010; 1967 c.421 §172; 1993 c.298 §1]



274.890 Time allowed lessee for survey and erection of plant; filing copy of survey with department. The first lease issued to an applicant under ORS 274.885 to 274.895 with respect to any submerged lands may allow the applicant six months in which to make a practical survey of the field which the applicant has leased, and another 12 months in which to erect a plant and commence operation. The lessee shall, within six months of the time of obtaining the lease, make or cause to be made a practical survey showing the amount and condition of kelp within the territory described in the lease, and shall file a copy of the survey with the Director of the Department of State Lands within six months. Upon the failure of the lessee so to do, the lease shall be canceled by the Department of State Lands. [Formerly 274.020; 1967 c.421 §173]



274.895 Removing kelp without lease. Except in the case of a person harvesting or removing less than 2,000 pounds of kelp each year for the purposes of human consumption, no person shall harvest or remove any kelp or other seaweed from any submerged lands owned by the State of Oregon unless the person has first obtained a lease from the Department of State Lands. [Formerly 274.030; 1967 c.421 §174]



SUBMERSIBLE, SUBMERGED AND NEW LANDS



274.905 Definitions for ORS 274.905 to 274.940. As used in ORS 274.905 to 274.940, unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) “New lands” means those lands protruding above the line of ordinary high water, whether or not connected with the adjoining or opposite upland or riparian lands on the same side of the body of water, which have been created upon submersible or submerged lands by artificial fill or deposit. “New lands” does not include bridges, wharves and similar structures constructed upon submersible or submerged lands by other than artificial fill or deposit.

(2) “Public body” means the State of Oregon or any port organized under the laws of this state or any dock commission of any city of this state. [1963 c.376 §1; 1967 c.421 §175; 1973 c.328 §1]



274.910 Application and effect. (1) ORS 274.905 to 274.940 shall not apply to submersible, submerged or new lands fronting upon the Pacific Ocean.

(2) The provisions of ORS 274.905 to 274.940 apply to new lands created before, on or after May 28, 1963.

(3) Nothing contained in ORS 274.905 to 274.940 shall divest the State of Oregon of its rights to minerals, oil, gas and sulphur. [1963 c.376 §§2,9; 1967 c.421 §176]



274.915 Department to lease or dispose of new lands; method. (1) Except as otherwise provided in ORS 274.905 to 274.940, the Department of State Lands may sell, lease or trade submersible or submerged lands owned by the state in the same manner as provided for submersible lands in this chapter or ORS chapter 273.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in ORS 274.905 to 274.940, the department may sell, lease or trade new lands created upon submersible or submerged lands owned by the state in the same manner as provided for lands acquired as an investment for the Common School Fund in ORS 274.085 or ORS chapter 273. [1963 c.376 §3; 1967 c.421 §177; 1969 c.594 §47; 1973 c.203 §3; 1989 c.64 §1]



274.920 Creation of new lands upon submersible or submerged lands. No one other than the United States, while engaged in the promotion of navigation, shall artificially create new lands by fill or deposit upon submersible or submerged lands without the approval of the owner of such lands and the owner of the adjoining or opposite upland on the same side of the body of water. [1963 c.376 §4; 1973 c.203 §7]



274.925 Right of public riparian owner to purchase new lands; price determination. (1) Whenever the United States, while engaged in the promotion of navigation, creates new lands upon submersible or submerged lands owned by the state and the adjoining or opposite upland or riparian land on the same side of the body of water is owned by a public body, the public body has the right to purchase the new lands as provided in this section. The public body shall pay to the Department of State Lands for the new lands a sum equal to the difference between the value of the tract, consisting of the new lands and the adjoining or opposite upland on the same side of the body of water, and the value of the adjoining or opposite upland before the creation of the new lands and an amount prescribed by the department to pay its administrative costs incurred with respect to the new lands. Such payment shall be made by the public body within one year after the date of the receipt by it of actual notice by the department of the creation of the new lands, the sum equal to the difference between the value of the tract, consisting of the new lands and the adjoining or opposite upland on the same side of the body of water, and the value of the adjoining or opposite upland before the creation of the new lands and the administrative costs incurred by the department with respect to new lands. If the public body fails to make payment for the new lands as provided in this subsection within one year after the date of such notice, the department may dispose of the new lands as provided in ORS 274.915.

(2) If a public body and the department cannot agree on the sum to be paid under subsection (1) of this section, the sum to be paid shall be determined by three appraisers, one appointed by the public body, one by the department, and the third by the first two, and their determination shall be final. The cost of the third appraiser shall be borne equally by the public body and the department. [1963 c.376 §5; 1965 c.375 §4; 1967 c.82 §1; 1973 c.203 §4]



274.929 Right of nonpublic riparian owner to purchase new lands; price determination; applies to certain new lands. (1) Whenever the United States, while engaged in the promotion of navigation, creates new lands upon submersible or submerged lands owned by the state and the adjoining or opposite upland or riparian land on the same side of the body of water is owned by other than a public body, the nonpublic riparian owner has the right to purchase the new lands as provided in this section.

(2) A nonpublic riparian owner entitled to purchase the new lands under subsection (1) of this section shall pay to the Department of State Lands for the new lands a sum equal to the difference between the value of the tract, consisting of the new lands and the adjoining or opposite upland on the same side of the body of water, and the value of the adjoining or opposite upland before the creation of the new lands and an amount prescribed by the department to pay its administrative costs incurred with respect to the new lands. Such payment shall be made by the nonpublic riparian owner within six months after the date of the receipt by the nonpublic riparian owner of actual official notice by the department of the creation of the new lands, the sum equal to the difference between the value of the tract, consisting of the new lands and the adjoining or opposite upland on the same side of the body of water, and the value of the adjoining or opposite upland before the creation of the new lands and administrative costs incurred by the department with respect to the new lands. If the nonpublic riparian owner fails to make payment for the new lands as provided in this subsection, the department, after the expiration of the six-month period, may dispose of the new lands as provided in ORS 274.915.

(3) If a nonpublic riparian owner and the department cannot agree on the sum to be paid under subsection (2) of this section, the sum to be paid shall be determined by three appraisers, one appointed by the nonpublic riparian owner, one by the department, and the third by the first two, and their determination shall be final. The cost of the third appraiser shall be borne equally by the nonpublic riparian owner and the department.

(4) Notwithstanding ORS 274.910 (2), this section applies only to new lands created on or after October 5, 1973. [1973 c.203 §2]



274.930 [1963 c.376 §6; 1965 c.375 §5; repealed by 1973 c.203 §11]



274.932 Right of public body to purchase new lands created by it; price determination. (1) Whenever a public body, in accordance with ORS 274.920, creates new lands upon submersible or submerged lands owned by the state, the public body has the right to purchase the new lands as provided in this section. The public body shall pay to the Department of State Lands for the new lands the value of the state-owned submersible or submerged lands upon which the new lands were created immediately prior to the creation of the new lands thereon and an amount prescribed by the department to pay its administrative costs incurred with respect to the new lands. Such payment shall be made by the public body within one year after the date of the receipt by it of actual notice by the department of the creation of the new lands, the value of the state-owned submersible or submerged lands upon which the new lands were created and the administrative costs incurred by the department with respect to the new lands. If the public body fails to make payment for the new lands as provided in this subsection within one year after the date of the notice by the department, the department may dispose of the new lands as provided in ORS 274.915.

(2) If a public body and the department cannot agree on the value of the state-owned submersible or submerged lands upon which the new lands were created under subsection (1) of this section, the value shall be determined by three appraisers, one appointed by the public body, one appointed by the department and the third appointed by the first two. The determination of the appraisers shall be final. The cost of the third appraiser shall be borne equally by the public body and the department. [1973 c.203 §5]



274.935 Ownership, by nonpublic owner of submersible or submerged lands, of new lands created thereon. Whenever new lands are created upon submersible or submerged lands owned by other than a public body, such new lands shall be owned by the owner of the submersible or submerged lands upon which the new lands are created. [1963 c.376 §8]



274.937 Right of individual to purchase new lands created by individual; price determination. (1) Whenever an individual, in accordance with ORS 274.920, creates new lands upon submersible or submerged lands owned by the state, such individual has the right to purchase the new lands as provided in this section. The individual shall pay to the Department of State Lands for the new lands the value of the state-owned submersible or submerged lands upon which the new lands were created immediately prior to the creation of the new lands thereon and a reasonable portion of the private benefit realized from the creation of the new lands as an addition to the adjoining or opposite upland in front of which the new lands were created. The individual shall also pay to the department for the new lands the administrative costs incurred by the department with respect to the new lands. If the individual fails to make payment for the new lands as provided in this subsection within six months after the date of the notice by the department, the department may dispose of the new lands as provided in ORS 274.915.

(2) If an individual and the department cannot agree on the sum to be paid for new lands under subsection (1) of this section, the sum to be paid shall be determined by three appraisers, one appointed by the individual, one appointed by the department and the third appointed by the first two. The determination of the appraisers shall be final. The cost of the third appraiser shall be borne equally by the individual and the department. [1973 c.203 §6]



274.940 Reservation of new lands. Notwithstanding ORS 274.905, 274.915 to 274.925, 274.929, 274.932 and 274.937, the Department of State Lands may reserve new lands from sale, transfer or lease where upon notice and hearing it determines that the public interest requires such lands to be preserved for recreation, conservation of fish and wildlife or the development of navigation facilities, but in case of such reservation the adjoining or opposite upland or riparian owner shall be allowed reasonable access across such reserved new lands to navigable water. [1963 c.376 §7; 1967 c.421 §178; 1973 c.203 §8]



FORMERLY SUBMERGED, SUBMERSIBLE LANDS



274.960 Definitions for ORS 274.960 to 274.985. As used in ORS 274.960 to 274.985, unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) “Board” means the State Land Board. (continued)