Oregon Statutes 468B.305 – Entry of oil into waters of state prohibited; exceptions
(1) It shall be unlawful for oil to enter the waters of the state from any ship or high hazard train route or from any fixed or mobile facility or installation located offshore or onshore, whether publicly or privately operated, regardless of the cause of the entry or the fault of the person having control over the oil, or regardless of whether the entry is the result of intentional or negligent conduct, accident or other cause. Such entry constitutes pollution of the waters of the state.
Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 468B.305
- Person: includes individuals, corporations, associations, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies and joint stock companies. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
- United States: includes territories, outlying possessions and the District of Columbia. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to the entry of oil into the waters of the state under the following circumstances:
(a) The person discharging the oil was expressly authorized to do so by the Department of Environmental Quality, having obtained a permit therefor required by ORS § 468B.050;
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of ORS § 466.640, 468B.025 or 468B.050 or this section, the person discharging the oil was expressly authorized to do so by a federal on-scene coordinator or the department in connection with activities related to the removal of or response to oil that entered the waters of the state; or
(c) The person having control over the oil can prove that the entry thereof into the waters of the state was caused by:
(A) An act of war or sabotage or an act of God.
(B) Negligence on the part of the United States Government, or the State of Oregon.
(C) An act or omission of a third party without regard to whether any such act or omission was or was not negligent. [Formerly 449.157 and then 468.785; 1995 c.535 § 1; 2019 c.581 § 2]