Removal-Fill Permits
The Department of State Lands protects waterways and wetlands through administration of Oregon's Removal-Fill Law, enacted in 1967. This law requires most activities that affect more than 50 cubic yards of material in streams, lakes, estuaries and wetlands to have a permit from DSL.
Regardless of size, almost all activities in Oregon Scenic Waterways and streams designated essential salmon habitat require a permit.
The permit review process involves coordination with the applicant, adjacent land owners, natural resource agencies and local governments.
The program's purpose is to:
Protect, conserve and make best use of water resources
Protect public navigation, fishery and recreational uses
Ensure that activities of one landowner don't adversely affect another landowner
Minimize flooding, improve water quality and provide fish and wildlife habitat
Wetlands and Waterways Conservation Division members issue permits and carry out enforcement actions for removal-fill activities on public and private waterways, wetlands, the Pacific Ocean, and other waters of the state.
Waterway Leases and Authorizations
Some of Oregon´s submerged and submersible waterway land is held and managed by the State Land Board, which consists of the Governor, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer. As the Land Board´s administrative arm, the Department of State Lands (DSL) is responsible for most of the day-to-day management of this publicly-owned submerged and submersible waterway land. The Department issues leases, licenses, temporary-use permits and registrations for uses of state-owned submerged and submersible land.
