Oregon Revised Statutes

Or. Rev. Stat. § 777.120 (2026)

Port’s authority over harbors, wharf lines and navigation

✓ current as of May 2026
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      777.120 Port’s authority over harbors, wharf lines and navigation. (1) To the full extent the State of Oregon might exercise control or grant to ports the right to exercise control, a port has full control of all bays, rivers and harbors within its limits, and between its limits and the sea. As convenient, requisite or necessary or in the best interests of the maritime shipping and commercial interests of the port, a port may, within its limits:

      (a) Make, change or abolish wharf lines in bays, rivers and harbors.

      (b) By ordinance make, modify or abolish regulations for the use of navigation, or for the placing of obstructions in or the removal of obstructions from bays, rivers and harbors.

      (2) A port shall have the authority to engage in the control and prevention of river and stream bank erosion, and the prevention of damage from floodwater and sediment, and to make, establish, change, modify or abolish such rules and regulations to preserve natural resources and prevent estuary and stream pollution within the boundaries of the district. [Amended by 1971 c.268 §20; 1971 c.691 §2; 1971 c.728 §140]

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases, 1959–1978 · leading case: Brusco Towboat Co. v. State Ex Rel. State Land Bd., 589 P.2d 712 (Or. 1978).
Brusco Towboat Co. v. State Ex Rel. State Land Bd., 589 P.2d 712 (Or. 1978). · cites it 2× “In ORS 777.120(1) each port is granted "full control of all bays, rivers and harbors within its limits, and *649 between its limits and the sea,” to the "full extent the State of Oregon might exercise control * * There is here no express delegation of authority to occupy or…”
State Land Bd. v. SAUSE, 342 P.2d 803 (Or. 1959). · cites it 2× “The challenged decree held that the strip is tideland, but refused to grant an injunction or other relief because ORS 777.120 (1), so the circuit court held, gave “full control” of the strip to the port of Tillamook bay.”
Brusco Towboat Co. v. State Ex Rel. State Land Bd., 567 P.2d 1037 (Or. Ct. App. 1977). “ORS 777.120(1) provides: "To the full extent the State of Oregon might exercise control or grant to ports the right to exercise control, a port has full control of all bays, rivers and harbors within its limits, and between its limits and the sea.”
Smith Tug & Barge Co. v. Columbia-Pac. Towing Corp., 443 P.2d 205 (Or. 1968). “" ORS 777.120(1) provides: "To the full extent which the State of Oregon might itself exercise and control or to which it can grant to ports the right to exercise the same, ports shall have full control of all bays, rivers and harbors *217 within their limits, and between their…”
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 777.120(1) — 3 cases
Brusco Towboat Co. v. State Ex Rel. State Land Bd., 589 P.2d 712 (Or. 1978). “In ORS 777.120(1) each port is granted "full control of all bays, rivers and harbors within its limits, and *649 between its limits and the sea,” to the "full extent the State of Oregon might exercise control * * There is here no express delegation of authority to occupy or…”
Brusco Towboat Co. v. State Ex Rel. State Land Bd., 567 P.2d 1037 (Or. Ct. App. 1977). “ORS 777.120(1) provides: "To the full extent the State of Oregon might exercise control or grant to ports the right to exercise control, a port has full control of all bays, rivers and harbors within its limits, and between its limits and the sea.”
Smith Tug & Barge Co. v. Columbia-Pac. Towing Corp., 443 P.2d 205 (Or. 1968). “" ORS 777.120(1) provides: "To the full extent which the State of Oregon might itself exercise and control or to which it can grant to ports the right to exercise the same, ports shall have full control of all bays, rivers and harbors *217 within their limits, and between their…”
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