Waterway Use Authorizations

Waterway use authorizations allow certain uses of Oregon-owned rivers, lakes, territorial sea, and other waterways while compensating Oregonians for usage of these public resources. Revenue from waterway use authorizations goes into the Common School Fund, benefitting K-12 education.

Most authorizations for new uses go through a 30-day public review by local, state, and federal agencies; adjacent landowners; tribal governments; and interested stakeholders prior to approval. All approved waterway use authorizations must conform to local land use planning laws. Submit a comment on authorizations under public review here.

Applications can be submitted online or mailed to DSL.

Long-term or permanent structures in, upon, or over Oregon-owned waterways, including bridges, utilities, roads, and tide gates, require an easement authorization prior to placement:

To apply for an easement for a structure in the waterway (excluding undersea infrastructure) submit the following form: Easements for Structures in Waterways Form.
To apply for an easement for a structure in the territorial sea (for example, an undersea cable or outfall pipeline), submit the following form: Easements - Territorial Sea Form.

Proposed projects that would remove or fill material in the waterway may also require a removal-fill permit.

Large private structures placed in, upon, or over Oregon-owned waterways require a waterway lease. These include docks, floating homes, and other structures 2,500 square feet or larger, as well as floating recreational cabins over 1,500 square feet. This includes all commercial activity.

If a structure has changed ownership, submit an assignment of lease application.
For sublease agreements, please contact the proprietary coordinator for your region.

Proposed projects that remove or fill material in the waterway may also require a removal-fill permit.

**2026 Update: Insurance Requirements for Leases**

Insurance requirements are changing for all new and renewing waterway leases effective February 15, 2026. These updates will ensure that insurance coverage appropriately reflects the risks associated with authorized waterway uses and help protect both lessees and the State of Oregon from potential liability. Learn more about the updated insurance requirements here.

**2026 Update: Administrative Rules and Fees Under Review**

In late 2024, DSL began updating administrative rules related to waterway authorizations, including associated fees and compensation. The proposed rules are expected to be presented to the State Land Board in April 2026 and, if approved, will take effect on July 1, 2026. Current leaseholders and applicants will be notified once the rules are filed. See the current draft rule text here and the summary of proposed fees and compensation rates here.

Small or medium-sized private structures placed in, upon, or over Oregon-owned waterways require a waterway registration authorization. These include docks, boat houses, and other similar structures 2,500 square feet or smaller, as well as floating recreational cabins smaller than 1,500 square feet. This excludes commercial activity.

To renew a registration, please email registrations.dsl@dsl.oregon.gov
If a structure has changed ownership, submit a registration change of ownership form.

Proposed projects that remove or fill material in the waterway may also require a removal-fill permit.

Structures owned, operated, maintained, or used by public agencies that charge no or minimal fees should apply for a public facility license. Examples of structures that may qualify for a public facility license include boat ramps, transient use docks, public fishing or crabbing piers, viewing structures, and navigational aids.

Proposed projects that remove or fill material in the waterway may also require a removal-fill permit.

A waterway lease is required for commercial, industrial, and residential structures, or other similar uses of Oregon-owned waterways. This includes for-profit and nonprofit activities for example, seafood processing facilities, marina vending, marina servicing, salvage operations, and use of office, residential, commercial, industrial, or warehouse buildings.

If a structure has changed ownership, submit an assignment of lease application.
For sublease agreements, please contact the proprietary coordinator for your region.

Short-term and special use activities
For short-term activities, like triathlons or restoration and resource management activities or other similar special use activities, submit a special use application. Public entities requesting a Land Management Agreement, Memorandum of Understanding, or Memorandum of Agreement with DSL should also submit a special use application.

Wharf Certifications

Owners of structures which are used to accommodate ships, boats or vessels engaged exclusively in the receipt and discharge of good and merchandise or in the performance of a governmental functions must certify the structure is a wharf by submitting a wharf certification form. Wharf certifications are valid for 10 years and do not require a fee.

Proposed projects that remove or fill material in the waterway may also require a removal-fill permit.

Short-term access (less than one year)
Activities that involve accessing an Oregon-owned waterway for a short period of time (usually less than a year) often require a short-term access agreement authorization. Such activities may include research, education, sediment sampling, geotechnical and land surveys, right of entry, and spud barge and boom placement. These uses should have minimal and temporary impacts on the waterway and others’ ability to use it. Short term access agreements are for non-business purposes and do not cover commercial enterprises.

Long-term access
A special use authorization is required for motion picture filming and set construction, activities that place scientific instruments, research equipment or other devices on the beds or banks of the waterway, and other similar uses.

Information on authorizations for remedial restoration activities can be found in the Waterway Remediation and Restoration Projects section below.

Proposed projects that remove or fill material in the waterway may also require a removal-fill permit.

Removing less than 50 cubic yards of material from Oregon-owned waterways

Up to 50 cubic yards of sand and gravel can be removed from Oregon-owned waterways per calendar year for an individual’s exclusive non-commercial use. In these cases, notice must still be given to DSL at least 30 days before the material is removed and any relevant federal, state, or local permits must be obtained.

As long as less than 50 cubic yards is removed, no application processing fee or compensation fee is required.

Proposed projects that remove or fill material in the waterway may still require a removal-fill permit.

Removing more than 50 cubic yards of material from Oregon-owned waterways
Anyone interested in removing more than 50 cubic yards of material from an Oregon-owned waterway should apply for a sand and gravel removal authorization.

The compensation charged to remove more than 50 cubic yards of material is based on cubic yard or short ton proposed for removal. If the material is removed is being used for a public purpose, compensation is not owed to the Department, but an application and application fee must still be submitted.

Proposed projects that remove or fill material in the waterway may still require a removal-fill permit.

Voluntary habitat restoration and remediation projects on Oregon-owned waterways that are not subject to, or a result of, an order from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or Department of Environmental Quality are often authorized by the Department under a waterway registration authorization. Click here for the waterways registration application.

If the project is subject to, or a result of, an order from EPA or DEQ then a remedial activity authorization is required for all environmental remediation and restoration activities on Oregon-owned waterways. Such activities include, but are not limited to: site monitoring, site habitat restoration, environmental dredging, mitigation, monitored and enhanced monitored natural recovery, and construction and maintenance of a soil or sediment cap.

To apply for a remedial activity authorization that is subject to, or a result of, an order from EPA or DEQ, first contact DSL to schedule a pre-application meeting. Then, complete and submit the appropriate authorization application.