Oregon § 196.668 Legislative findings

Oregon Statutes

§ 196.668 — Legislative findings

Oregon § 196.668

Vol.5

Title 19Miscellaneous Matters Related to Government and Public Affairs

Ch. 196State Waters and Ocean Resources; Wetlands; Removal and Fil

This text of Oregon § 196.668 (Legislative findings) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Oregon primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Or. Rev. Stat. § 196.668 (2026).

Text

The Legislative Assembly finds that:

(1)Wetlands provide a natural means of flood and storm damage protection through the absorption and storage of water during high runoff periods, thereby reducing flood crests and preventing loss of life and property;

(2)Wetlands provide essential breeding, spawning, rearing, feeding, nesting and wintering habitats for a major portion of this state’s fish and wildlife;

(3)Wetlands provide essential habitat for waterfowl using the Pacific Flyway and for the rearing of salmon and other anadromous and resident fish;

(4)Wetlands act as accumulation areas for sediments which retain nutrients and other pollutants that may prevent entry of the pollutants into other waterways;

(5)Wetlands provide a valuable public service of maintaining clean water by retai

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

The Legislative Assembly finds that:
(1) Wetlands provide a natural means of flood and storm damage protection through the absorption and storage of water during high runoff periods, thereby reducing flood crests and preventing loss of life and property;
(2) Wetlands provide essential breeding, spawning, rearing, feeding, nesting and wintering habitats for a major portion of this state’s fish and wildlife;
(3) Wetlands provide essential habitat for waterfowl using the Pacific Flyway and for the rearing of salmon and other anadromous and resident fish;
(4) Wetlands act as accumulation areas for sediments which retain nutrients and other pollutants that may prevent entry of the pollutants into other waterways;
(5) Wetlands provide a valuable public service of maintaining clean water by retaining nutrients, metals and toxic materials from the water to protect water quality;
(6) Wetlands provide significant opportunities for environmental and ecological research, public recreation and education and provide scenic diversity and aesthetic value as open space and areas of visual enjoyment;
(7) Much of this state’s original wetlands have been diked, drained, filled, dredged, ditched or otherwise altered;
(8) There is continuing development pressure on wetlands in Oregon;
(9) There are often conflicts between wetland protection and other resource values and uses;
(10) Uncoordinated regulation of wetlands by local, state and federal agencies can cause confusion, frustration and unreasonable delay and uncertainty for the general public; and
(11) Wetland management is a matter of this state’s concern since benefits and impacts related to wetland resources can be international, national, regional and statewide in scope.