{"data":{"id":"us-or/ors-196.668","jurisdiction":"us-or","citation":"ORS 196.668","heading":"Legislative findings.","body":"The Legislative Assembly finds that:\n      (1) Wetlands provide a natural means of flood and storm damage protection through the absorption and storage of water during high runoff periods, thereby reducing flood crests and preventing loss of life and property;\n      (2) Wetlands provide essential breeding, spawning, rearing, feeding, nesting and wintering habitats for a major portion of this state’s fish and wildlife;\n      (3) Wetlands provide essential habitat for waterfowl using the Pacific Flyway and for the rearing of salmon and other anadromous and resident fish;\n      (4) Wetlands act as accumulation areas for sediments which retain nutrients and other pollutants that may prevent entry of the pollutants into other waterways;\n      (5) Wetlands provide a valuable public service of maintaining clean water by retaining nutrients, metals and toxic materials from the water to protect water quality;\n      (6) Wetlands provide significant opportunities for environmental and ecological research, public recreation and education and provide scenic diversity and aesthetic value as open space and areas of visual enjoyment;\n      (7) Much of this state’s original wetlands have been diked, drained, filled, dredged, ditched or otherwise altered;\n      (8) There is continuing development pressure on wetlands in Oregon;\n      (9) There are often conflicts between wetland protection and other resource values and uses;\n      (10) Uncoordinated regulation of wetlands by local, state and federal agencies can cause confusion, frustration and unreasonable delay and uncertainty for the general public; and\n      (11) Wetland management is a matter of this state’s concern since benefits and impacts related to wetland resources can be international, national, regional and statewide in scope.","path":["05 - State Government, Government Procedures, Land Use","19. Miscellaneous Matters Related to Government and Public Affairs","Chapter 196 — State Waters and Ocean Resources; Wetlands; Removal and Fill"],"source_url":"https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors196.html","current_through":"2025 Edition","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-03T23:50:12Z","sha256":"33baa7efdbaa5b56a385c4153cc8e0ad6de52fe80ff5be598010ec6a9d05f3a0","source_id":"us-or","stale":false,"prev":"us-or/ors-196.665","next":"us-or/ors-196.670"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}