(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, each holder of an existing hydroelectric license shall pay to the Water Resources Department annually a reauthorization fee in an amount per theoretical horsepower covered by the existing license that, when added to the amount per theoretical horsepower covered by the existing license that is paid under ORS 543.300, equals 28 cents for each horsepower covered by the existing license, or $15, whichever is greater, for the purpose of implementing the state reauthorization process established by this chapter and ORS 468.065, 468B.040, 468B.045, 468B.046, 536.015, 536.050, 543.012 and 543.710. The reauthorization fee shall be paid until the project is reauthorized, and a water right issued, under this chapter and ORS 468.065, 468B.040, 468B.045, 468B.046, 536.015, 536.050, 543.012 and 543.710. Upon reauthorization and issuance of a water right, a new annual fee shall be assessed under ORS 543.300, and the reauthorization fee shall no longer apply.
(2) The department shall notify existing license holders of the amount of the fee described in subsection (1) of this section. The notice shall state the date by which the license holder must notify the department if the license holder does not intend to reauthorize the project. The department shall assess the fee described in subsection (1) of this section unless the license holder notifies the state that it does not intend to apply to reauthorize the project upon expiration of the license. The holder of an existing hydroelectric license that notifies the department that it does not intend to reauthorize the project need not pay the reauthorization fee and may not seek reauthorization of the project upon expiration of the existing license.
(3) The department shall submit a report to the Legislative Assembly during each legislative session describing the department’s use of reauthorization funds.
(4) Four cents of each 28 cents paid as a reauthorization fee as required by subsection (1) of this section shall be deposited to the Water Resources Department Hydroelectric Fund and disbursed to the Department of Environmental Quality. [1997 c.449 §37; 1999 c.873 §17; 2003 c.14 §348]
Section: Previous 543A.125 543A.130 543A.135 543A.140 543A.145 543A.150 543A.300 543A.305 543A.400 543A.405 543A.410 543A.415 543A.800 543A.805 543A.810 NextLast modified: August 7, 2008