Under Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 192, members of the public have the right to view records created by public bodies under the jurisdiction of the State of Oregon. This provides an important avenue of ensuring government transparency and accountability. Many of South Fork Water's records are available on this website. For questions or assistance, email christab@sfwbor.gov or call 503-657-5030.

Formal records requests must be made in writing by using the form below, by emailing christab@sfwbor.gov, or by mail to South Fork Water, attn: Public Records, 15962 Hunter Ave, Oregon City OR 97045.
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South Fork Water Public Records Request Policy
Adopted September 2019


The purpose of this policy is to recognize the right of every person to inspect any non-exempt public record of the South Fork Water Board, and the need to establish reasonable fees and charges for labor and material costs incurred in making public documents available. The South Fork Water Board shall fully comply with Oregon Public Records Law, ORS 192.410-192.505.

  1. In order to facilitate the public’s access to records in the possession of South Fork Water Board (the Board), and to avoid unnecessary expenditure of staff time, persons requesting access to public records for inspection or copying, or who submit written requests for copies of public records, shall specify the records requested with particularity, furnishing the dates, subject matter, and such other detail as may be necessary to enable the Board’s personnel to readily locate the records sought.
  2. Requests must be submitted to the attention of the Business Manager, South Fork Water Board. Requests will be accepted by mail or hand delivery at 15962 Hunter Ave, Oregon City, OR 97045, by email to christab@sfwbor.gov, or by web form at sfwbor.gov/public-records. 
  3. The South Fork Water Board shall permit inspection and examination of its non-exempt public records during regular business hours in the Board’s offices, or other such locations as the Business Manager may reasonably designate.
  4. Copies of non-exempt public records maintained in machine readable or electronic form shall be furnished, if available, in the form requested. If not available in the form requested, such records shall be made available in the form in which they are maintained (ORS 192.440(2))
  5. South Fork Water Board will respond to all requests as soon as practical and without unreasonable delay. When a request in submitted in writing, the Board will respond within five business days acknowledging the receipt of the request. The Board will then have an additional 10 business days to fulfill the request or issue a written response estimating how long fulfillment will take. The Board is not subject to this response timeframe if it is awaiting a response from the requester seeking clarification of the inquiry or if the requester has not agreed to pay for the records, provided that the cost is $25 or more. Other considerations that apply are as follows: Complicated requests, Large volume of requests, Requests involving documents not readily available or if the necessary staff are unavailable to fulfill the request
  6. South Fork Water Board will submit a cost estimate to the requestor to provide the requested documents, including copying charges, research time (if required) and separating exempt from non-exempt materials. Requestor must confirm to the South Fork Water Board to proceed with the request following receipt of the cost estimate. If the estimated cost is $25 or more, the South Fork Water Board shall require a deposit in the full amount of the estimate before fulfilling the request. If the actual cost exceeds the estimate, South Fork Water Board will not release the documents until the fee is received in full. If the estimated cost is less than $25, South Fork Water Board will fulfill the request and present the requestor with an invoice to be paid before release of the documents. If a request for records requires Board personnel to spend more than 15 minutes searching or reviewing records prior to their review or release for copying, the minimum fee shall be $20 and additional charges shall be in ¼ hour increments.
  7. Fees for records requests:
Photocopying or printing standard size pages:  
1-20 pages (per page)   $0.50
 21+ pages (per page)    $0.25
Color copies  $0.50
Sound recording duplication $25.00
Biennial budget (hard copy) $25.00
Research fee (staff hourly wage, first ¼ hour no charge)  Varies
Printing or copying non-standard documents Actual cost incurred

  1. If a request is of such magnitude and nature that compliance would disrupt the Board’s normal operation, the Board may impose such additional charges as are necessary to reimburse the Board for its actual costs of producing the records.
  2. Whenever it determines that furnishing copies of public records in its possession at a reduced fee or without costs would be in the public interest, the Board may so authorize (ORS 192.440(4)).
  3. At no time shall an original record of the Board be removed from the Board’s files or the place at which the record is regularly maintained, except upon authorization of the Board of Directors or Chief Executive Officer.
  4. If a request to review original records is made, the Board shall permit such a review provided that search fees are paid in advance in accordance with the Fees for Public Records section, above. A representative shall be present at any time original records are reviewed, and the charges for standing by while the records are reviewed shall be the same as the charges for searching or reviewing records. If any person attempts to alter, remove, or destroy and Board records, the Board representative shall immediately terminate such person’s review, and notify the attorney for the Board.
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South Fork Water Public Records Request Form

I understand that every person has a right to inspect any public record of a public body in this state, except as otherwise provided by ORS 192.410 to 192.505. I understand that the documents or records requested may not be immediately available for my review and that I may need to make an appointment to review the documents or records. I acknowledge that there may be a cost for the research time to retrieve the requested records and costs for duplication of requested documents. If research time is required, I understand I will be notified of the estimated cost prior to retrieving the documents or records. I also understand that prepayment for research time and copies may be required.