Oregon Statutes 186.520 – Compact provisions
The provisions of the Oregon-Washington Columbia River Boundary Compact are as follows:
Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 186.520
- Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
- Public law: A public bill or joint resolution that has passed both chambers and been enacted into law. Public laws have general applicability nationwide.
- United States: includes territories, outlying possessions and the District of Columbia. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
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The boundary between the States of Oregon and Washington along the course of the Columbia River has not been easy to ascertain because of changes in the main channel of the river with a result that a state of confusion and dispute exists and the enforcement and administration of the laws of the two states has been rendered difficult.
The purpose of this compact is to fix with precision by reference to stations of longitude and latitude the boundary between the States of Oregon and Washington from one marine league due west of the mouth of the Columbia River to the most easterly point at which the 46th parallel of north latitude crosses said river, at which point the river ceases to form the boundary between the two states.
The boundary between the States of Oregon and Washington from one marine league due west of the mouth of the Columbia River to the point at which the last described point number of the boundary as herein determined meets the 46th parallel of north latitude at 118§ 59§ 10′.12 of the west longitude shall be as follows:
Beginning one marine league at sea off the mouth of the Columbia River at north latitude 46§ 15’00’.00; running thence due east to point number 1 of this description, which point is at north latitude 46§ 15’00’.00, west longitude 124’05’00’.00; thence from point number 1 continuing upstream in the channel of the Columbia River by a series of straight lines connecting the following numbered and described points in consecutive order.
A point on the center line of the Longview Bridge at
center of main span.
A point on the center line of Northern Pacific Railroad Bridge across Columbia River, which point is at center of 3rd pier south of the draw span.
A point on the center line of the west highway bridge crossing the Columbia River between Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, said point being 12.0 ft. south from the center of pier No. 6 of said bridge.
A point on the center line of the east highway bridge crossing the Columbia River between Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, said point being 12.0 ft. south from the center of pier No. 6 of said bridge.
A point at the intersection of the axis of Bonneville Dam and the center line of center pier of the spillway of said dam.
A point on center line of bridge at Cascade Locks, known as ‘The Bridge of the Gods’ and in the center of the main span of said bridge.
A point on the center line of the Hood River Bridge at the center of the draw span of said bridge.
A point on the center line of The Dalles Bridge across the Columbia River at the center of the main span of said bridge.
A point on the axis of The Dalles Dam at Station 48 + 79 of the center line survey of said dam.
A point on the center line of the Oregon Trunk Railroad Bridge and in the center of the 4th pier from the north end of said bridge.
A point on the center line of the Umatilla Bridge at center of the north main span of said bridge.
A point on the axis of McNary Dam at the north face of the south nonoverflow section.
This compact shall become operative when it has been ratified by the legislatures of the States of Oregon and Washington and approved by the Congress of the United States and the Constitutions of the States of Oregon and Washington have been amended to authorize the establishment of the boundary as herein provided.
______________________________________________________________________________ [1957 c.94 § 2]
The descriptions of the locations of points in Article II of the compact are as of 1957.
For ratification of compact by Washington legislature see chapter 90, Laws of 1957, (RCW 43.58.050’RCW 43.58.090), effective March 13, 1957.
For amendment to Washington Constitution authorizing establishment of boundary as provided in compact see Amendment 33 to Article XXIV, § 1, Washington Constitution, approved November 4, 1958, and proclaimed December 4, 1958, by Governor to be approved.
For approval of compact by Congress see Public Law 85-575, dated July 31, 1958, 72 Stat. 455 (1958).
Effective date of Oregon constitutional amendment (Const. Art. XVI) authorizing establishment of boundary as provided in compact is December 3, 1958.