Section 543.300 - Conditions governing license; fees; waiver of conditionsAny license issued under ORS 543.010 to 543.610 shall take into consideration, and shall be on, the following conditions:
(1) That the proposed project shall be such as, in the judgment of the Water Resources Commission, is well adapted to the development and utilization of the water power involved.(2) That the licensee shall construct and build the project according to the maps, plans and specifications filed with and approved by the commission, and within the time fixed by the license or by any lawful extension thereof.(3) The operations of the licensee so far as they affect the use, storage and discharge from storage of waters affected by the license, shall at all times be controlled by such reasonable rules as the commission may prescribe for the protection of life, health and property, and in the interest of the fullest practicable conservation and utilization of such waters for power purposes and for other beneficial public uses, including recreational purposes. The licensee shall release water from the project reservoir at such rate in cubic feet per second, or such volume in acre-feet per specified period of time, as the commission may prescribe.(4) That the licensee shall maintain the project, and each part thereof, in good order and repair and in efficient operation, for the development and transmission of electricity to its reasonable capacity; shall make all necessary renewals and replacements as required; and shall maintain and operate the project, and all parts thereof, conformably to the rules of the commission not inconsistent with ORS 543.010 to 543.610.(5) That the licensee shall annually pay to the state the applicable fee under ORS 543.078 for the project. This sum shall constitute a first lien upon the project, which lien may be enforced by suit in equity or other appropriate proceeding, or payment thereof may be enforced by the state in an action for debt. Payment of such license fees may be waived by the commission during all or any part of the period of construction. The fees need not be uniform throughout the entire period of the license, but may be for different amounts for different periods.(6) Other and further conditions not inconsistent with ORS 543.010 to 543.610 as the commission may require in the public interest.(7) In issuing a license for a minor project of not more than 100 horsepower the commission may waive all or any of the conditions and requirements of ORS 543.010 to 543.610 except the period for which a license may be issued, and the annual charge under subsection (5) of this section. In issuing licenses for projects in excess of 100 horsepower for which the applicants are required to secure permits and licenses from the United States as a condition precedent to the construction of the projects, the commission may waive and modify such of the terms, conditions and requirements of ORS 543.010 to 543.610, except the period for which a license may be issued and the annual charge under subsection (5) of this section, as the commission, by order, after full investigation and public hearing, shall find to make impracticable the construction of such projects. During the time that a licensee is not a public utility and does not sell electric energy, and does not sell bonds or other evidences of debt against the licensee's plant, the commission may waive the accounting and amortization requirements of ORS 543.010 to 543.610, even if the project involved exceeds 100 horsepower. Amended by 2021 Ch. 516,§ 5, eff. 9/25/2021.Amended by 1959 c.560 §1; 1961 c.224 §19; 1985 c.673 §154; 1999 c.873 §23