Oregon Code § 274.388·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Submerged Lands Enhancement Fund.
(1) The Submerged Lands Enhancement Fund is established in the State Treasury,
separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Submerged
Lands Enhancement Fund shall be credited to the fund. Moneys in the fund are
continuously appropriated to the Department of State Lands for the purposes
specified in this section.
(2)
Notwithstanding ORS 273.105, the fund shall consist of:
(a) No more than
20 percent of the moneys collected by the department per biennium pursuant to
the departments granting of leases, easements, registrations and other
permissions to use or occupy state-owned submerged or submersible lands; and
(b) Moneys
collected by the department under subsection (5) of this section.
(3) Moneys in the
Submerged Lands Enhancement Fund may be used to pay the expenses of the
department associated with management and enhancement activities on state-owned
submerged and submersible lands, including but not limited to:
(a) Removal,
salvage, storage and disposal of abandoned or derelict structures under ORS
274.379;
(b) Removal and
disposal of marine debris;
(c) Assistance
with the salvage, towing, storage and disposal of abandoned or derelict vessels
pursuant to ORS 830.908 to 830.948; and
(d) Engagement in
activities to improve water quality, watershed enhancement and fish and
wildlife habitat on submerged and submersible lands.
(4) The
department may use moneys in the fund to provide funding to a state agency,
county, city, water improvement district, watershed council, park and
recreation district, port district, federally recognized Indian tribe or
nonprofit organization to assist the department in completing any of the
management and enhancement activities provided for in subsection (3) of this
section.
(5) The
department may recover payments made from the fund from an owner of a structure
or vessel who is liable for the costs of removal, salvage, storage and disposal
of a structure under ORS 274.382. The department shall deposit all moneys
recovered under this subsection into the fund. [2015 c.715 §4]
BEDS OF STREAMS, LAKES
AND BAYS
(Ownership)