ORS 539.021: Determination by Water Resources Director of rights of claimants; transfer of action to director.

(1) The Water Resources Director upon the motion of the director or, in the discretion of the director, upon receipt of a petition from one or more appropriators of surface water from any natural watercourse in this state shall make a determination of the relative rights of the various claimants to the waters of that watercourse.

      (2) If an action is brought in the circuit court for determination of rights to the use of water, the case may, in the discretion of the court, be transferred to the director for determination as provided in this chapter.