ORS 540.130: Advance payment.

If no provision has been made for payment of the assistant watermaster or expenses as provided in ORS 540.080, before proceeding to make any distribution or division the Water Resources Director may require the water users requesting the distribution or division to pay in advance the estimated compensation and expenses involved in the work. The director shall keep a true and full account of all moneys paid in advance under this section. Upon the expiration of the period for which the services are required, the director shall refund to the water users any unexpended balance of the moneys paid in advance.