Oregon Code § 537.460·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Legislative findings; policy.
(1) The Legislative Assembly finds and declares that conservation and efficient
utilization of water benefits all water users, provides water to satisfy
current and future needs through reduction of consumptive waste, improves water
quality by reducing contaminated return flow, prevents erosion and allows
increased in-stream flow.
(2) It is
therefore declared to be the policy of the State of Oregon to:
(a) Aggressively
promote conservation;
(b) Encourage the
highest and best use of water by allowing the sale or lease of the right to the
use of conserved water; and
(c) Encourage
local cooperation and coordination in development of conservation projects to
provide incentives for increased efficiency and to improve streamflows.
(3) As used in
this section, efficient utilization means use without waste, upgrading of
irrigation equipment to comply with modern practices within a reasonable time
period or other methods used to meet both current and future water needs at the
least cost. [1987 c.264 §2; 1993 c.641 §2; 2003 c.93 §1; 2005 c.22 §379]
Note:
See note under 537.455.