Oregon Revised Statutes Revenue and Taxation § 308A.353

The Legislative Assembly declares that it is in the best interest of the state to maintain, preserve, conserve and rehabilitate riparian lands to assure the protection of the soil, water, fish and wildlife resources of the state for the economic and social well-being of the state and its citizens. The Legislative Assembly declares that riparian habitat maintained in a healthy condition is a legitimate land use that contributes to erosion control, improved water quality and prolonged streamflow. The Legislative Assembly further declares that it is in the public interest to prevent the forced conversion of riparian environments to more intensive uses as a result of economic pressures caused by the assessment of those lands for purposes of property taxation at values incompatible with their protection as riparian lands and that tax exemption must be granted to permit the continued availability of riparian environments for these purposes, and it is the intent of ORS 308A.350 to 308A.383 to so provide.