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Oregon Revised Statutes

Or. Rev. Stat. § 778.085 (2026)

Control over port waters and wharf lines; adoption and enforcement of navigational rules; authority to establish penalties; limitation

✓ current as of May 2026
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      778.085 Control over port waters and wharf lines; adoption and enforcement of navigational rules; authority to establish penalties; limitation. (1) To the full extent the State of Oregon might exercise control, or grant to the Port of Portland the right to exercise control, the port has full control of the rivers, harbors and waterways within its boundaries and between its boundaries and the sea.

      (2) The port may make, change or abolish wharf lines of, in and for the rivers, harbors and waterways within its boundaries.

      (3) As it considers convenient, requisite or necessary, or in the best interests of the maritime shipping or commercial interests of the port, the board may by ordinance make, modify or abolish regulations:

      (a) For the use or navigation of the rivers, harbors and waterways mentioned in subsection (1) of this section; or

      (b) For the placing of obstructions therein, or the removal of obstructions therefrom.

      (4) The port may enforce the regulations by penalties or seek other appropriate remedies as the port considers necessary. Penalties are recoverable in the name of the port in any court of this state.

      (5) This section does not authorize the port to cause the removal of bridges or other obstructions existing under a grant by this state. This section does not authorize the port to exclude cities other than the City of Portland from free access to the channel of either the Willamette or Columbia Rivers or the Oregon and the Columbia Sloughs, or the free use of the rivers or sloughs for navigation. [Amended by 1963 c.145 §2; 1971 c.728 §117; 2011 c.597 §301]

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 1955–2008 · leading case: Port of Portland v. REEDER, 280 P.2d 324 (Or. 1955).
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Port of Portland v. REEDER, 280 P.2d 324 (Or. 1955). · cites it 2× “The foregoing statute appears as ORS 778.085 and 778.090 (1) subject only to changes in phraseology which do not change legal effect.”
Norgaard v. Port of Portland, 196 P.3d 67 (Or. Ct. App. 2008). “065; the Port “has full control of the rivers, harbors and waterways within its boundaries and between its boundaries and the sea” to the same extent that the state does, ORS 778.085(1); the Port’s board of commissioners is appointed by the Governor, ORS 778.”
Or. Rev. Stat. § 778.085(1): 1 case
Norgaard v. Port of Portland, 196 P.3d 67 (Or. Ct. App. 2008). “065; the Port “has full control of the rivers, harbors and waterways within its boundaries and between its boundaries and the sea” to the same extent that the state does, ORS 778.085(1); the Port’s board of commissioners is appointed by the Governor, ORS 778.”
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