Voluntary agreements among ground water users from same reservoir

(1) In the administration of ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992, the Water Resources Commission may encourage, promote and recognize voluntary agreements among ground water users from the same ground water reservoir. When the commission finds that any such agreement, executed in writing and filed with the commission, is consistent with the intent, purposes and requirements of ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992, and in particular ORS 537.525, 537.730 to 537.740 and 537.780, the commission shall approve the agreement. Thereafter the agreement, until terminated as provided in this subsection, shall control in lieu of a formal order or rule of the commission under ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992. Any agreement approved by the commission may be terminated by the lapse of time as provided in the agreement, by consent of the parties to the agreement or by order of the commission if the commission finds, after investigation and a public hearing upon adequate notice, that the agreement is not being substantially complied with by the parties thereto or that changed conditions have made the continuance of the agreement a detriment to the public welfare, safety and health or contrary in any particular to the intent, purposes and requirements of ORS 537.505 to 537.795 and 537.992. (2) When any irrigation district, drainage district, other district organized for public purposes or other public corporation or political subdivision of this state is authorized by law to enter into agreements of the kind referred to in subsection (1) of this section, the commission may approve such agreements as provided in subsection (1) of this section. Any such agreement approved by the commission shall have the same effect and shall be subject to termination in the same manner and for the same reasons set forth in subsection (1) of this section.