Oregon Administrative Rules
Chapter 141 - DEPARTMENT OF STATE LANDS
Division 122 - RULES FOR GRANTING EASEMENTS ON TRUST LANDS
Section 141-122-0020 - Policies

Universal Citation: OR Admin Rules 141-122-0020

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 9, September 1, 2024

(1) Pursuant to Article VIII, Section 5(2) of the Oregon Constitution, the State Land Board, through the Department, has a constitutional responsibility to manage all land (Trust and Non-Trust) under its jurisdiction "with the object of obtaining the greatest benefit for the people of this state, consistent with the conservation of this resource under sound techniques of land management."

(2) In addition to the constitutional mandate described in OAR 141-122-0020(1), the Department is required to manage its Trust Land to maximize revenue to the Common School Fund over the long term.

(3) The Department shall follow the guiding principles and resource-specific management prescriptions contained in the Real Estate Asset Management Plan, and consider the comments received from federal, state, and local governments and interested persons when determining whether to authorize or condition an easement on state-owned land.

(4) All uses of state-owned land must conform to applicable local (including local comprehensive land use planning and zoning ordinance requirements), state and federal laws.

(5) No applicant or grantee is allowed to request from any government agency a change in the zoning for, or approved uses of, state-owned land without first applying to, and receiving written approval from the Department.

(6) The Department shall not grant an easement if:

(a) As a result of its circulation for public comment of the application for easement as described in OAR 141-122-0050(4) it determines that the proposed use or development would unreasonably impact uses or developments proposed or already in place within the requested area; or

(b) If the proposed use or development is inconsistent with local, state, or federal laws; or

(c) If the proposed use or development is inconsistent with these rules; or

(d) If the proposed use or development has unacceptable impacts on public health, safety or welfare, or would result in the loss of, or damage to natural, historical, cultural or archaeological resources; or

(e) If the proposed use or development is prohibited by a State Land Board or Department-adopted area closure, use restriction, or area management plan (such as the Lower Willamette River Management Plan; or a Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Plan); or

(f) If the proposed use or development is inconsistent with any endangered species management plan adopted by the Department under the Oregon Endangered Species Act (ORS 496.171 to 496.192).

(7) The Department shall:

(a) Recognize all valid easements of record on land acquired by the Department as disclosed at the time of acquisition; and

(b) Honor any provisions contained in existing valid easements granted by the Department if the Holder of the easement has complied with all terms and conditions of the easement and applies to the Department for a new easement as prescribed in these rules.

(8) Except as provided in OAR 141-122-0010(4) and OAR 141-122-0100, any person wanting to use or place a development on state-owned land subject to an easement must obtain a written authorization in the form of an easement from the Department prior to beginning the use or placing the development. Additionally, an easement is required for any use or development that encroaches on state-owned land regardless of its height above or below, or manner of crossing the state-owned land.

(9) Unless otherwise exempt by these rules, each individual use of, or development placed on, state-owned land constitutes a separate discrete activity subject to:

(a) An easement specifically authorizing only that individual use or development; and

(b) Payment of compensation as required in these rules.

(10) The Department may, at its discretion, deny an easement if the applicant's financial status or past business practices, or both, indicate that the applicant may not:

(a) Be able to fully meet the terms and conditions of an easement offered by the Department; or

(b) Use the land applied for in a way that meets the provisions of OAR 141-122-0020.

(11) The Department may, at its discretion, deny an easement if the applicant is out of compliance with the terms of any authorization issued, or is subject to any enforcement or corrective action, by the Department.

(12) An easement cannot be established on Department-managed land by adverse possession regardless of the length of time the use or development has been in existence.

(13) The Department may:

(a) Conduct field inspections to determine if the uses and developments in place on state-owned land are authorized by, or conform with, the terms and conditions of an easement and, if not;

(b) Pursue whatever remedies are available under law and OAR 141-122-0130 to ensure that unauthorized uses subject to an easement on state-owned land are either brought into compliance with the requirements of these rules or removed.

(14) Pursuant to the provisions of ORS 530.490(2) and (3), the Oregon State Forester may issue easements on Common School Forest Land in accordance with these rules (OAR 141-122-0100) and those adopted by the Oregon State Board of Forestry.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 273.045

Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 273.761, 274.040, 274.720, 376.620, 530.050, 530.490 & 758.010

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Oregon may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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