Oregon Code § 542.520·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Oregon-California Goose Lake Interstate Compact.
The provisions of the
Oregon-California Goose Lake Interstate Compact are as follows:
______________________________________________________________________________
ARTICLE I
PURPOSES
The major
purposes of this compact are:
A. To facilitate
and promote the orderly, integrated and comprehensive development, use,
conservation and control of the water resources of Goose Lake Basin.
B. To further
intergovernmental cooperation and comity and to remove the causes of present
and future controversies by (1) providing for continued development of the
water resources of Goose Lake Basin by the States of California and Oregon, and
(2) prohibiting the export of water from Goose Lake Basin without consent of
the legislatures of California and Oregon.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITION OF TERMS
As used in this
compact:
A. Goose Lake
Basin shall mean the drainage area of Goose Lake within the States of
California and Oregon and all closed basins included in the Goose Lake drainage
basin as delineated on the official map of the Goose Lake Basin which is
attached to and made a part of this compact.
B. Person shall
mean the States of Oregon and California, any individual and any other entity,
public or private.
C. Water, waters
or water resources shall mean any water appearing on the surface of the
ground in streams, lakes, or otherwise, and any water beneath the land surface
or beneath the bed of any stream, lake, reservoir or other body of surface
water within the boundaries of Goose Lake Basin.
ARTICLE III
DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF
WATER
A. There are
hereby recognized vested rights to the use of waters originating in Goose Lake
Basin existing as of the effective date of this compact and established under
the laws of California and Oregon.
B. Except as
provided in this Article, this compact shall not be construed as affecting or
interfering with appropriation under the laws of California and Oregon of
unappropriated waters of Goose Lake Basin for use within the basin.
C. Export of
water from Goose Lake Basin for use outside the basin without prior consent of
both state legislatures is prohibited.
D. Each state
hereby grants the right for a person to construct and operate facilities for
the measurement, diversion, storage and conveyance of water from the Goose Lake
Basin in one state for use within the basin in the other state, providing the
right to such use is secured by appropriation under the general laws
administered by the Water Resources Director of the State of Oregon or the
Water Rights Board of California and the laws of the state from which the water
is to be taken shall control.
E. Should any
facilities be constructed in one state to implement use of water in the other
state, the construction, operation, repairs and replacement of such facilities
shall be subject to the laws of the state in which the facilities are
constructed.
ARTICLE IV
ADMINISTRATION
No commission or
administrative body is necessary to administer this compact.
ARTICLE V
TERMINATION
This compact may
be terminated at any time by consent of the legislatures of California and
Oregon and upon such termination all rights then established hereunder shall
continue unimpaired.
ARTICLE VI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Nothing in this
compact shall be construed to limit, or prevent any state from instituting or
maintaining any action or proceeding, legal or equitable, in any court having
jurisdiction thereof for the protection of any right under this compact or the
enforcement of any of its provisions.
ARTICLE VII
RATIFICATION
A. This compact
shall become operative when ratified by the legislatures of California and
Oregon and consented to by the Congress of the United States.
B. This compact
shall remain in full force and effect until amended in the same manner as is
required for it to be ratified to become operative or until terminated.
C. A copy of any
proposed amendments to or termination of this compact shall be filed with the
Board of Supervisors of Modoc County, California, and the County Court of Lake
County, Oregon, at least 30 days prior to any legislative consideration by the
legislatures of the States of California and Oregon.
ARTICLE VIII
FEDERAL RIGHTS
Nothing in this
compact shall be deemed:
A. To impair or
affect the existing rights or powers of the United States of America, its
agencies, or instrumentalities, in and to the use of the waters of the Goose
Lake Basin nor its capacity to acquire rights in and to the use of said waters.
B. To subject any
property of the United States of America, its agencies or instrumentalities to
taxation by any state or subdivision thereof, nor to create an obligation on
the part of the United States of America, its agencies or instrumentalities by
reason of the acquisition, construction or operation of any property or works
of whatsoever kind, to make any payments to any state or political subdivision
there
Plain English Explanation
This Oregon statute addresses Oregon-California Goose Lake Interstate Compact. AI-powered analysis coming soon.
Key Points
01Part of Oregon statutory law
02Referenced as Oregon Code § 542.520
03Subject to legislative amendments
04Consult a licensed attorney for application to specific cases
Frequently Asked Questions
This section of Oregon law addresses Oregon-California Goose Lake Interstate Compact. Read the full statute text above for details.
This page reflects the current text as of our last update. Always verify with the official Oregon legislature website for the most current version.
The formal citation is Oregon Code § 542.520. Use this format in legal documents and court filings.
Browse related sections using the links below, or search all Oregon statutes on FlawFinder.