An official website of the State of Oregon Learn How you know » (how to identify a Oregon.gov website) An official website of the State of Oregon »
You are here:
Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) determine how the Department of State Lands and other state agencies operate, including how they interpret and implement state laws. Administrative rules can also describe agency practices and policies.
Rules may be adopted, amended, repealed, suspended, or renumbered through a process known as rulemaking. Our rulemaking process offers several opportunities for people and organizations to provide feedback on a proposed rule:
After a proposed rule has been approved and filed with the Secretary of State, that rule becomes adopted. Sign up to receive rulemaking email updates here, or you can review our calendar of forecasted rulemaking here.
The following rules are under consideration, see draft rules and review materials from Rulemaking Advisory Committees below.
OAR 141-082: Leases, Licenses, and Registrations on Oregon-Owned Waterways
A 45-day public comment period for the proposed rule language was open July 1 - August 15, 2025 until 5:00 p.m. - see the public notice here. DSL held a series of six public rule hearings both in person and virtually. DSL staff are reviewing comments received, prior to bringing this before an upcoming State Land Board meeting (anticipated in December 2025, subject to change) for consideration.
Contact dsl.rules@dsl.oregon.gov with any questions.
Proposed Rule Language
Written Public Comment
Public Rule Hearings
See the RAC Roster here, and see an overall summary of the RAC meetings and feedback here.
RAC Meeting #5 - March 19, 2025
RAC Meeting #4 - February 19, 2025
RAC Meeting #3 - January 22, 2025
RAC Meeting #2 - December 11, 2024
RAC Meeting #1 - November 13, 2024
OAR 141-083: Undersea Cable Easements in Oregon's Territorial Sea
Proposed updates include:
These changes will strengthen protections for Oregon’s territorial sea and marine ecosystems, while ensuring fair public compensation for use of the seafloor. The cooperative review framework will support effective collaboration among applicants, state and federal agencies, Tribal governments, and local communities. Additionally, clearer guidelines offer a predictable process and will reduce uncertainty for businesses navigating a project.
In June 2025, the Land Board approved DSL to begin the rulemaking process. DSL staff are currently drafting proposed rules, and in Fall 2025 will begin outreach to convene a Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC). The tentative RAC schedule is subject to change, and we anticipate posting the draft proposed rules prior to the first RAC meeting:
Click here to submit a comment through an online form. If no list appears below, there are no rules currently open for comment.
OAR 141-085: Permitting and Mitigation in Oregon’s Wetlands and Waters
The proposed rule language is currently open for a comment period and two virtual public hearings will be held prior to bringing this before the DSL Department Director for a decision.
A public comment period is open from October 1, 2025, through October 31, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. - see the full public notice here (PDF). Public comment can be submitted in writing (see below for how to submit) or made during a public rule hearing (see below for dates, times, and how to join). A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was published by the Secretary of State on October 1, 2025, and contains the proposed rules in tracked changes, along with the fiscal impact statement.
Proposed Rule Language
Written Comments
Public Rule Hearings and Spoken CommentsTwo virtual public rule hearings will be held:
See the RAC Roster here and a sumary of RAC input here.
RAC Meeting #6 - August 6, 2025
RAC Meeting #5 - July 9, 2025
RAC Meeting #4 - June 12, 2025
RAC Meeting #3 - May 21, 2025
RAC Meeting #2 - April 2, 2025
RAC Meeting #1 - March 12, 2025
Rulemaking materials from rules adopted in the last two years can be found below. See our full list of current laws and rules for the Department of State Lands here.
OAR 141 (85/89/90/93): Removal-Fill and Wetland Delineation Fees
The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) has adopted updated administrative rules establishing new fees for Oregon's Removal-Fill Program. This program helps protect the state's wetlands and waterways by requiring permits for activities that involve removing or adding material to rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, and other waters throughout Oregon.
The permanent rules have been filed with the Secretary of State with an effective date of January 1, 2026. Contact dsl.rules@dsl.oregon.gov with any questions, and subscribe to email notifications here.
Final Rule Language
Revised Proposed Rule Language
Second Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Tracked Changes (May 2025)
Track changes of revisions after the first comment period:
Please note that there were no members of the public in attendance at either public rule hearing.
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Tracked Changes (January 2025)Proposed Removal-Fill Program Fees (January 2025)
Public Comment
A public comment period was open January 2, 20025, through February 17, 2025 (see the full public notice here). DSL received nine comments total during the first public comment period and has provided written responses.
See the RAC Roster here.
RAC Meeting #6 - November 6, 2024
RAC Meeting #5 - October 9, 2024
RAC Meeting #4 - September 11, 2024
RAC Meeting #3 - August 28, 2024
RAC Meeting #2 - August 14, 2024
RAC Meeting #1 - July 10, 2024
OAR 141-079: Codifying the Forest Management Plan for the Elliott State Research Forest
OAR 141-142: Rocky Shore Habitats
The Department of State Lands (DSL) is updating administrative rules in OAR 141-142 that guide the establishment and management of marine reserves and marine protected areas in Oregon’s territorial sea.
DSL is following through on the Department’s responsibility to amend these rules with the updated designations of rocky habitat sites, in conformance with the community-informed work already done by Oregon’s Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) and Department of Land and Conservation Development (DLCD) on updating Oregon’s Territorial Sea Plan: Part Three.
Oregon’s marine rocky habitats are integral to the unique landscape and seascape of the Oregon Coast. They provide a safe harbor for a variety of species that have uniquely adapted to live on the margin between the land and sea. The living resources found in rocky habitats include fish, invertebrates, and plant life, particularly in the intertidal areas, as well as seabirds and seals that use adjacent cliffs and offshore rocks for shelter, feeding, and reproduction. Below the surface, rocky habitats offer stable footing for structure-forming marine plants such as kelps and seagrasses. These marine plants provide a foundation for the diverse, unique, and economically important species that live in rocky habitats.
Part Three of Oregon’s Territorial Sea Plan outlines the state’s Rocky Habitat Management Strategy. Originally published in 1994, the Territorial Sea Plan is managed by the Ocean Policy Advisory Council and the Department of Land Conservation and Development. It outlines clear policies and direction for strong, site-based management and the protection of unique ecosystems along the Oregon Coast. This includes classifications such as marine gardens, habitat refuges, and research and conservation areas.
After a 3-year public review process, an updated Part Three of the Territorial Sea Plan was adopted in April 2023.
Administrative rules in OAR 141-142 have not been updated since 2012, and rulemaking is needed to align rules with the updated Territorial Sea Plan and the designated areas for protection. For more information please see Appendix A: Rocky Habitat Designations and Map.
The State Land Board approved the proposed rule language on February 11, 2025. The rules were filed with the Secretary of State (SOS) on February 12, 2025, with an effective date of February 12, 2025.
A public comment period was open from October 1 - October 31, 2024. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was published by the Secretary of State on October 1, 2024.
OAR 141-126: Authorizing Communication Site Facilities on State-Owned Land
Updated rules have been adopted that guide how the Department of State Lands leases communication site facilities on DSL-managed land.
DSL manages leases for communication site facilities located on DSL-managed lands that are owned by the people of Oregon and generate revenue for the state’s Common School Fund. Communication site leases allow entities to place communication facilities on those lands. These facilities support wireless cellular service, internet service, emergency communications, technologies that detect wildfires or seismic activities, cable and radio broadcast, local radio users, and more.
These rules are being amended to:
On December 10, 2024, the State Land Board approved the filing of final rule language with the Secretary of State.
Final Rule Language and Related Materials
Proposed Rule LanguageA second public comment period was open from August 1, 2024, through September 3, 2024. A second Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Division 126 was published by the Secretary of State on August 1, 2024. Below are the proposed rules along with a tracked changes version showing the differences between the first Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (July 2022) and the second Notice (August 2024). An information session followed by a public rule hearing was held online on Thursday, August 15, 2024.
Additional reference materials:
The first public comment period was held from July 1 - July 31, 2022. DSL filed two Notices of Proposed Rulemaking with the Secretary of State on June 17, 2022. An information session and public hearing was held on July 21, 2022.
RAC Member Roster
RAC Meeting #3 was held on October 27, 2021.
Meeting 3 AgendaMeeting 3 Summary141-126 Updated DRAFT RulesRate Study Tables 1 and 2Rate Study Table 3: 20 year comparison
RAC Meeting #2 was held on September 14, 2021.
RAC Meeting 2 AgendaRAC Meeting 2 SummaryRate Study and Tables141-126 DRAFT Statement of Need and Fiscal Impact Statement
RAC Meeting #1 was held on August 24, 2021.
Meeting 1 AgendaMeeting 1 SummaryRAC Operating PrinciplesDRAFT Div 126 Administrative Rules
OAR 141-090-0035: Wetland Delineation Reports
Oregon Administrative Rules 141-090-0035, "Standards and Requirements for Wetland Delineation Reports Submitted to the Department", is being amended to include hydrogeomorphic method (HGM) subclass along with HGM class as a requirement for the submission of a wetland delineation report.
Division 90 rules were amended in 2023 (see "Recently Adopted Rules" below) and became effective on June 1, 2023. However, the need to include HGM subclass was inadvertently overlooked. The inclusion of HGM subclass is necessary as it is required for a removal-fill permit, for which a wetland delineation report is needed.
The final rule text was filed for an effective date of August 5, 2024.
Secretary of State Permanent Filing Receipt
A public comment period for the amendment of this rule was open from June 3 - July 3, 2024. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was published by the Secretary of State.
OAR 141-089: Administrative Rules Governing the Issuance and Enforcement of General Authorizations within Waters of this State
A public comment period was held from February 1 - March 4, 2024. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was published by the Secretary of State on February 1, 2024. An information session followed by a public rule hearing was held online on February 21, 2024.
OAR 141-088: Restrictions for State-Owned Property at the Sandy River Delta in Multnomah County
A new rule under OAR 141-088 from the Oregon Department of State Lands permanently restricts the use of vehicles and discharge of firearms from Oregon-owned lands, including islands, in the Sandy River Delta. The use restriction area extends from the mouth of the Sandy River to the I-84 bridge crossing, including the Columbia River side channel. This rule grants the Department the authority to temporarily prohibit, from the Sandy River Delta, individuals who violate these restrictions or who commit criminal acts within the Sandy River Delta. These restrictions are necessary to protect public health and safety and the environment.
The RAC meeting was held on October 2, 2023. See the RAC Roster here.
RAC AgendaDraft Rule TextDraft Need for the RulesDraft Racial Equity StatementDraft Fiscal Impact StatementRAC Meeting PresentationRAC Meeting SummaryPost-RAC Draft Rule TextRAC Meeting Recording
OAR 141-088: Periodic Closure of State-Owned Land at Crump Lake
Under Oregon Administrative Rules 141-088, the Department will restrict public access to Crump Lake, in Lake County, during times when the dry lakebed is exposed to protect cultural and natural resources.
Frequent droughts have dried up the lakebed of Crump Lake during the summer and increasingly extending into dry years. Since 2014 DSL has received reports from State Police, local Tribes, and residents regarding property damage as well as vandalism of and looting of significant cultural artifacts, enabled by the low water conditions which expose the lakebed. DSL Directors have implemented multiple emergency closures of the lake to all public uses during low water conditions, most recently in July of 2022. Those temporary closures have helped to reduce negative impacts.
The rule was approved by the State Land Board on October 10, 2023, and was filed for adoption on November 1, 2023.
Final Rule Language SOS Filing ReceiptMap of Crump Lake Periodic Closure Area
Proposed Rule LanguageNotice of Proposed Rulemaking
Public CommentThe public comment period was held from July 1 - July 31, 2023.Public Comments
Public Hearing and Information SessionA hybrid public meeting was held on July 26, 2023.Public Hearing Presentation Public Hearing Recording
Resources
Upcoming public meetings
Submit a rulemaking comment
Sign up for rulemaking updates
See our forecasted calendar of rulemaking
See our full list of laws and rules for DSL
Learn more about administrative rules in Oregon
Learn more about rulemaking in Oregon
Learn more about state laws in Oregon
DSL is committed to providing all customers with access to documents and meetings. Learn more.
Help us blaze a better trail
Note: Please do not provide personal information (e.g. address, social security numbers, etc.)
200 characters remaining
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
A lock icon ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website.
Your browser is out-of-date! It has known security flaws and may not display all features of this and other websites. Learn how
×