Legislative Report - September Legislative Days

Jump to a topic:

• Agriculture

• Budgets/Revenue

• Budgets/Revenue

• Climate

• Coastal Issues

• Columbia River Treaty

• Department of State Lands (DSL) 

• Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) 

• Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) 

• Forestry (ODF)

• Hanford

• Land Use & Housing

• Mining

• Nuclear Energy

• Pesticides

• Regional Solutions

• Septic Systems

• Transportation

• Water

• Wetlands

• Wildfire

• Volunteers Needed

Natural Resources

By Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator and Team

Agriculture

During the Sept. Interim Days, there were many presentations related to the importance of agricultural lands. Agriculture is the second most important and most stable industry in Oregon. As part of an effort by Oregon farmers to educate legislators on their issues and concerns and loss of farmland, see the presentation to the Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Committee and a presentation  to the House Agriculture et al. Committee by Oregon Dept. of Agriculture’s Jim Johnson, as well as a presentation by Oregon farmers, a presentation by the American Farmland Trust,  and a presentation about the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program.

The Land Conservation and Development Commission had a public hearing on Sept. 27 and will consider updating their Farm and Forest rules  at their December meeting. The rules are meant to codify case law to help local governments administer land use applications. 

In an article in the Oregon Capitol Chronicle:  In a recent analysis of data from the latest U.S. Census of Agriculture, Oregon State University Economics Professor Dan Bigelow found that the estimated value of Oregon farm real estate grew $10.7 billion between 2017 and 2022. That’s a 23% gain in just five years, and more than triple the 7% gain in total estimated farm real estate value nationwide. Although good news if you own that land, it creates a challenge for new farmers trying to buy farmland. 

Here are the top 20 Agricultural commodities in Oregon from the 2022 crop year. It is the diversity of Oregon’s crops that helps with the stability of the industry.

Budgets/Revenue

By Peggy Lynch

The August 28th Revenue Forecast and recording noted that the available General Fund resources increased for the current 2023-25 biennium by $676 million relative to the March forecast. (Here is a link to the 2023-25 Legislatively Adopted Budget after the 2024 session.) Most of this increase is due to tracking actual tax collections, with the remainder due to a stronger revenue outlook. With this increase, a “kicker” is possible again. The League was pleased that the last forecast report included a recognition of how the effects of climate change affects our revenue and expenses. 

Looking ahead to the 2025-27 biennium, available resources are revised lower by $66 million. The increase in earnings is not enough to fully offset the $987 million personal kicker that may be paid out in 2026. Of help for the k-12 school funding needs, the corporate kicker may provide over $880 million. 

A big change at the Office of Economic Analysis is the announcement of a new Chief Economist. This is a very important position beyond the quarterly revenue forecasts as noted in the article. Oregon’s one of a kind kicker law and the mixed rural/urban tech/agriculture/timber economies are challenging. We can only hope that fresh eyes will provide accurate data for our decision makers. 

Other data to consider: The effective tax rate has increased over the last decade, due to both policies (i.e. Measure 66) and rising incomes. The labor market is softer than it appears (harder to find new jobs). Recent layoffs and announcements in some key industry clusters are of concern because many of these jobs are higher paying than the state average. Wildfires are having significant location-specific losses on agricultural production. Eastern Oregon was hit especially hard. 

The Emergency Board met on Sept. 25th. Here is a synopsis of the actions taken and a video of the meeting.

At the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee meeting on Sept. 24th (see the first 30 minutes), they received a presentation on the history of property tax reform in Oregon and the many efforts to take action related to the current law. It’s time to review the inequitable and unfairness of the implementation of both Measures 5 and 47/50 from the 1990s. Here is a good video on property taxes in Oregon. Cities and counties rely on property taxes for the services they provide. It’s possible that there will be conversations on property tax reform in 2025. The Oregonian provides some insight into that future conversation.

 Want to know more about Oregon state government’s financial condition? This report “provides important information regarding key economic and demographic indicators for Oregon’s financial status, such as revenues, expenditures, debt, and fiscal health.” The report covers a 10-year period ending June 30, 2023.

Budgets 2025

By Peggy Lynch

As of Sept. 1, agency request budgets (ARBs) should have been posted on agency websites. The Governor will now need to consider those requests in light of her priorities, the Aug. 28th Revenue Forecast, and any recommended revenue enhancements then provide the Governor’s Recommended Budget (GRB) by Dec. 2nd. The Governor proposes; the legislature disposes. There will be another Revenue Forecast Nov. 20, again in March and finally in May of 2025. The May 2025 Forecast will be the basis for the legislature to determine the 2025-27 state budget.

The 14 natural resource agencies were given instructions to only ask for funding their Current Service Levels (CSL) and 1% more unless they received a special approval by the Governor’s office. There were new instructions related to the increase of percentages for services and supplies, of rent for those who rent from the state and increases in salaries. Also, a 5% vacancy savings was requested—holding approved positions open to save costs during the 2023-25 budget cycle. Most of the documents linked below include a full complement of CSL, new Policy Option Packages (POPs) and the required 10% reduction lists. Here are most of those ARBs:

Dept. of Environmental Quality budget.

Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries budget.

Dept. of Land Conservation and Development:  The Policy Office has been leading the development of policy option packages (POPs) for the 2025-2027 legislative sessions. This presentation provides information and notes the inclusion of six new POPs out of the Governor’s Housing Production Framework.

Dept. of State Lands budget.

Oregon Dept. of Agriculture budget. 

Oregon Dept. of Energy budget presentation.

Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife budget. 

Oregon Dept. of Forestry budget. As of Sept. 27, there is $288.9 million in gross fire costs for 2024. Although we expect the federal government and others will eventually pay a great deal of those current costs, the bills need to be paid now. That means money will need to be found to cover those costs for the next 2-4 years. See the Emergency Board actions where these costs are beginning to be addressed. 

Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board budget. 

Oregon Water Resources Dept.:  The full Agency Request Budget, policy option package narratives, and a summary, can be viewed on the Department's Budget and Legislative webpage. 

The State Debt Policy Advisory Commission will provide bonding guidance in January of 2025.

Climate

By Claudia Keith and Team  

See the Climate Emergency section of this Legislative Report. There are overlaps with this Natural Resources Report. We encourage you to read both sections.

Coastal Issues

By Christine Moffitt and Peggy Lynch  

The issue of offshore wind energy has dominated conversations at the coast. The League supports the concept of renewable energy but also supports our coastal estuaries. Advisory votes have been scheduled by both Coos and Curry counties (article). After much sharing of concerns by the local League, our coastal fishing industry, by our tribes (including one lawsuit) and the environmental communities, on Sept. 27th the auction of leases off Coos and Curry Counties has been cancelled. However, discussions will continue and a new auction could be considered in the future. Here is the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development’s Coastal Division offshore wind website.

The Port of Coos Bay has new leadership. The Port is still considering the container ship project, of concern to the League.

You can choose to attend a Rocky Habitat Management Workshop series. Learn more about the OSU Coastal Futures Project. Or attend the Oct. 2nd Oregon Ocean Science Trust meeting.

You can find Oregon’s Coastal Public Access Guide for Local Government Planners on the DLCD website. This guide provides local coastal governments a framework for planning for a community's public access program.

Columbia River Treaty

By Phillip Thor   

After an August 5th webinar where the U.S. and Canada shared their new agreement, the League signed a joint letter expressing concern that the amended Columbia River Treaty agreement didn't also include the concept of ecosystem function as part of the river's management.  Soon after learning about the agreement, the federal government announced a Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative that addresses some of our concerns about the Treaty.  

Department of State Lands (DSL) 

By Peggy Lynch

See Elliott State Research Forest below for the agency’s role in that issue. See the Wetlands section of this report for information on removal/fill fee rulemaking. The next State Land Board meeting is Oct. 15th.

Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) 

By Sandra Bishop 

DWAC met July 17.

Lead Service Line Inventory requirements & progress:

Service line inventories are due October 16th. Technical help has been offered to public water systems (PWS) to complete this federally required reporting to identify any Lead Service Line to facilitate replacement. An inventory is required from all PWS in Oregon. Any PWS serving less than 10,000 people may access no-cost technical assistance if needed to complete an inventory. Federal funding is available to complete the inventories, and for planning and design work for replacement if needed. In Oregon there is no knowledge of any PWS ever having used a lead service line. Nor have any lead service lines been found. Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Services managers are working closely with federal regulators for water systems to be allowed to use a lack of evidence (no lead lines in their records) as a record showing there are no lead services lines in the system.

PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl-substances):

A final federal rule from the EPA was announced on April 10th. PWS are to complete initial monitoring of any PFAS levels by 2027. Any exceedances of MCL (maximum containment levels) are to be addressed by 2029. The American Waterworks Association (AWWA) & Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) have challenged the EPA rule. There is also a possibility that the overturning of the Chevron Deference, which applies to all federal rule making, may come into play in these water association groups’ challenges of PFAS regulation. In Oregon there have been 25 PWS found to have measurable PFAS detected. Cleaning up these PWS is expected to be very costly. Federal funding may be available to remedy problems in systems exceeding allowable limits. (See also the section on Water in this report.)

Consumer Confidence Reports:

There has been a federal rule change in requirements for these once-a-year reports on water quality that are sent from water utilities to consumers. Changes are designed to make the reports more easily understandable, to improve the accuracy of reporting and to highlight any contamination violations. The reports are also required to provide a brief explanation of contaminants that may reasonably be expected to be found in drinking water (including bottled water) and include efforts the water system operators will be taking to prevent lead from entering the drinking water, as well as other quality control actions like corrosion control.

The next DWAC meeting is Oct. 16.

Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF) 

By Peggy Lynch  

The State Land Board met on June 11 to appoint the new ESRF Board and address the transition related to the new Board’s obligations. The new Board and information on the Forest Management Plan starts on page 87 of the Land Board packet. The new Elliott Board met on Sept. 12. Here is the Elliott Board meeting agenda and meeting materials.

Carbon markets are being considered to help fund the ESRF per this article. The Dept. of State Lands will request funding in 2025 to continue management of the ESRF until limited timber harvest can begin—perhaps by 2026.

From the Bird Conservation Oregon newsletter: It is expected that in 2025, after nearly a decade of inactivity, harvest activity will resume on the Elliott. When that happens it should be conducted in a manner that

•  is far more protective of the Elliott’s mature forests and imperiled species, 

• brings together historically conflicted stakeholders to work collaboratively on implementation, 

• is driven by conservation and research rather than timber receipts, 

• transcends decades of historic conflict. 

As the Elliott moves back into more active management, there will be opportunities for the public to weigh in on biennial operations plans and other management programs.

Visit DSL's Elliott webpage to learn more.

Forestry (ODF) 

By Josie Koehne

Mike Wilson and Tyson Wepprich sought input and future direction from the Board of Forestry for the Western Oregon Forest Management Plan (FMP) which is based on the current state forest Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) now under federal review. The FMP will reflect the computer modeling of various outcomes based on the many variables involved in forest management. Such management scenarios include emphasizing or weighting each of the following values:

• Adaptive capacity of forests

• Carbon sequestration and storage

• Forest division finances

• Economic opportunities

• Financial support for counties

• Harvest and inventory

•  Habitat elements for wildlife

These values can be factored into various modeling parameters and juggled in order to maximize the desired outcomes for managing forests for “greatest permanent value” for all Oregonians. In part, offering these options is in response to the Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee’s (FTLAC) objections to ODF’s Harvest Conservation Plan (HCP) for not maximizing timber harvest that provides a large portion of revenue for the timber-dependent counties (Clatsop, Tillamook, Coos and Washington counties primarily). FTLAC was represented in person at the Sept 6 board meeting. ODF used improved model metrics (growth and yield tables) to test run maximizing for revenue, timber stand metrics and harvest volumes at various timber ages, such as 72, 80 or 92 years (rotation age), or for net present value with discount rates or for steady revenues each year (even flow). ODF sought direction on which other modeling parameters to test out in order to meet desired state forest goals.

John Sweet, representing the FTLAC was supportive of the effort, and asked for increased reforestation. He also requested that the model test to allow for the current annual timber volume of 185 million board feet (MMBF) with non-declining even flow timber production over the next 30 years and increasing timber production to 195, and then 205 MMBF. Other sources of revenues besides timber revenue for counties could be considered to even out revenues among counties. Combining county revenues for more even distribution was also discussed. The FTLAC counties said they are willing to maximize not just for immediate increased timber revenue, but wanted to see all the tradeoffs on the various scenarios. A facilitated discussion followed on the FMP modeling values among the board members and Trust counties. This first run of values to model focused on aiming to balance all tree age classes over time, and another focused on maximizing timber harvest (maximum Net Present Value) with no other constraints (uncollared) other than following HCP criteria. Other comments were to put some county revenue into investing in reforestation of unproductive forestland outside the protected Habitat Conservation Areas for future harvest. In November, these scenarios and their modeled outcomes will be reviewed and other choices will be made by the board. All in all, this meeting marked a turning point in improved trust between the timber counties and ODF working together with the board on their priorities using a facilitated discussion tool. There will be a report in April on the board's input. 

Discussion in June will follow with the scenario modeling incorporated into a revised Western Forest Management Plan.

See also the Wildfire section of this report below.

Hanford Waste Site 

Per the Oregon Dept. of Energy  newsletter: The Oregon Department of Energy submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Energy regarding the draft Hanford Tri-Party Holistic Negotiations Agreement. The draft agreement outlines a new approach to treating and transporting certain tank waste at the Hanford Site. Oregon’s comments focus on three critical areas: solidifying tank waste before transport, the means of transport, and clarity on National Environmental Policy Act requirements. The Oregon Capital Chronicle noted: “A federal proposal to move radioactive nuclear waste from Washington through Oregon and onward to Utah and Texas via truck and rail has raised major concerns among Oregon officials and environmentalists. The proposal doesn’t yet detail a route, but critics have said it would most likely end up on major interstate highways through Oregon, or on a rail line through central Oregon along the Deschutes River, passing near areas like Bend and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation.” Streetroots also covered the issue.

Land Use & Housing

By Peggy Lynch

The Governor’s Housing Advisor Matt Tschabold provided the Senate Housing and Development Committee with Governor Kotek’s  vision for the 2025 session. Then the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) provided information  on the work they have been doing and plan to do related to housing. The House Housing and Homelessness Committee also received a presentation on the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA) project. Proponents of the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion section of SB 1537   (2024) shared how that process is going and which cities might be interested in using that provision. 

The Land Conservation and Development Commission met on Sept. 26 and 27. Those interested in the OHNA process should watch the second half of the Sept. 27th meeting on YouTube. The process moves required housing needs calculations from local governments to the state. The Office of Economic Analysis (OEA), under the Dept. of Administrative Services (DAS) does the forecasts with help from the Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and DLCD. The final methodology for calculating the various housing needs is due Jan. 1, 2025. They will provide a regional estimate of need, then allocate that need among the cities in each region and then will set production targets for each city. These are meant to be “aspirational targets”, to be used by cities to understand their housing needs for all residents. The hope is these targets will “empower local governments to take action”, using Housing Production Strategies. The information will provide the state and legislators with data on state housing funding needs. Instead of just looking at future needs, the calculations will include current needs—for homeless, workforce housing, market rate housing and others. They will take into consideration second homes and short-term rentals. The draft calculations indicate that at least 50% of the housing need in all regions will require government subsidies. Here is a staff presentation.

The public can provide comments to the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD)  on the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA) Draft Methodology between now and Oct. 4th. The Land Conservation and Development Commission  will hold a public hearing on Oct. 25 before making a final decision in December. Follow the work of the Oregon Housing Needs Analysis (OHNA) Rulemaking Committee on the department’s Housing Rulemaking webpage. And watch their meetings on the department’s YouTube channel. 

The League has followed DLCD since its inception in the 1970s. We have supported their mission of helping local governments implement the 19 statewide land use planning goals. See page 23 of the Director's Report to see the growth in staffing at DLCD. Much of the growth has been since House Speaker and then Governor Kotek engaged in housing policies and their connection with Goal 10. 

The League has supported funding for infrastructure, needed to help building housing developments. Here is the 2024 infrastructure card. Finding funding for these projects will be a multi-year challenge. The Governor may ask for $100 million in General Funds in 2025 for Business Oregon to use as grants for projects. The federal government has provided millions of dollars for water and wastewater projects. But it’s not enough. And sometimes requires matching funds. The League has engaged in discussions on the criteria that should be used to select the projects to assure they will provide housing units as quickly as possible.

The League provided testimony on HB 4026  (2024), a bill that would not allow initiative votes for UGB expansions—aimed directly on an initiative proposed for the North Plains UGB expansion. Our testimony was focused on the right of citizens to use the initiative process. A Judge allowed the vote to go forward. He upheld the right to hold the vote and citizens overwhelmingly rejected the HUGE UGB expansion. Now North Plains is revisiting their UGB plans.

The League opposed Section 10 of SB 4 (2023) that allows the Governor to override our statewide land use planning program to allow a UGB expansion for the chips (semiconductor) industry. Recently, the League joined others in a letter to the Governor, asking that she NOT use that authority to expand into prime farmland in Washington County. However, the Governor selected 373 acres north of Hillsboro. There will be a public hearing on this action on Oct. 10. There is also a 20-day public comment period available. 

See also the Agriculture section of this report on the value of Oregon agriculture. 

See also the Housing Report in the Social Policy section of this Legislative Report.

Mining  

The League has continued to follow the application for the Grassy Mountain Gold Mine near Vale. An interdisciplinary team of agencies met on September 12 on the proposed chemical process gold mine in Malheur County. The public notice and related documents are available. This is the first project using a consolidated permitting process where all permitting agencies are meeting together to process the permit applications. 

Nuclear Energy

Small scale nuclear reactors are being considered to help provide power to the many data centers in Umatilla County. One of the chief blocks of these reactors in Oregon is Measure 7 (1980). In a pro-nuclear energy editorial, the libertarian think tank Cascade Policy Institute wrote that Oregon voters approved the measure in 1980 in the wake of the partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania. The measure prevents the state from siting any nuclear power plants until the federal government licenses a waste depository. With the federal system in place today, nuclear power plants are effectively prohibited in Oregon.

The League adopted a position in 1980 focused on assuring there was a plan to deal with waste storage: The League of Women Voters of Oregon believes that the nuclear power program must be managed to protect current and future generations and to maintain an environment beneficial to life. Technical uncertainties must be publicly recognized and planned for, Responsibility for establishing and maintaining a waste system must not be deferred to future generations, and Effective coordination among all levels of government - federal, state, local - and the private sector is imperative in planning and carrying out programs for transportation, waste storage, and safety, with responsibility and authority clearly designated.

Pesticides

By Paula Grisafi

We look forward to seeing legislation in 2025 on control or banning of “NeoNics”: Neonicotinoid pesticides. Our Pesticides and Other Biocides Study will be a wonderful resource for legislators and advocates of the bill. 

Regional Solutions

By Peggy Lynch

The Governor has restarted the Regional Solutions Regional Advisory Committees with a:  

• standardized charter (although each committee can amend the draft provided to them),  

• compensation policy (to be sure that all Oregonians can afford to volunteer if assistance is needed), 

•  guidance policy for identifying regional priorities while also addressing the Governor’s priorities of housing production, community resilience and infrastructure 

In addition, each advisory committee gets to add up to two priorities of their own. 

Oregonians can sign up to attend the 11 regional meetings. They are held both in the regions and virtually. A public comment period is provided at the end of each meeting. The League has supported the concept of Regional Solutions, testifying in 2014 to pass legislation to formalize the program. We support the state agency team collaboration. The Regional Solutions website provides meeting agendas, meeting materials and other meeting information. We encourage local League member participation and engagement in these meetings. 

Septic Systems

A League member will serve on a Dept. of Environmental Quality rules advisory committee to update onsite septic system rules. Do you have a septic system?  EPA and its partners are making educational resources available to homeowners, local organizations, and government leaders to explain how septic systems work and how to properly maintain them. Maintaining septic systems is critical to protecting public health and ecosystems in small and rural towns across the country.

Transportation

With 2025 expected to be the year of Transportation, this August presentation in Hermiston might be of interest. This effort was last addressed in 2017.

Thanks to Rep. Gomberg, here is a 5-minute video on ODOT’s funding challenge. And here’s an online interactive map that shows projects and their details throughout the state. In early February, the Joint Committee on Transportation (JCT) released a 2024-25 Beginning Conversation Draft Action Plan for the development of the expected 2025 State Transportation Funding Package.

Water

By Peggy Lynch 

New groundwater rules were adopted Sept. 12!  The Oregon Water Resources Commission voted unanimously to adopt updates to Oregon’s groundwater allocation rules, marking a historic step in how the state manages and allocates groundwater. The adopted rule updates will go into effect upon filing with the Oregon Secretary of State. LWVOR and LWV Deschutes both provided testimony in support. The League hopes that the new rules will stop over appropriation of groundwater in the future, but there are concerns about future availability.

A member of the League is serving on two rules advisory committees for the Water Resources Dept.: Place-Based Planning and Best Practices in Community Engagement. More information is on the linked websites. 

A panel provided information on PFAS, a class of manmade chemicals, also known as “forever chemicals” that have been discovered to be a health hazard, at the House Agriculture et al Committee. They are in many of our products, from clothes to fire fighting foam. See pages 28-29 of the slide deck for a list of public resources related to PFAS.

The League continues to monitor the actions related to the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area. Like others, we are concerned about the latest Nitrate Reduction Plan. OPB also shared an  article on this important public health issue.

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) will be hosting an informational zoom webinar about the new Drinking Water Source Protection Grant Program in advance of opening the grant offering. The webinar will be hosted on Thursday, October 10 at 10:30 am. Please register in advance for the informational webinar. The League supported this program.

Help save water and energy usage per the Environmental Protection Agency: To make it easy to find plumbing and irrigation products that are certified to save water and perform well, consumers and businesses can search for WaterSense labeled products. 

League members may want to check the U. S. Drought Monitor, a map that is updated every Thursday. Here is a more complete website about drought in Oregon. The Governor declared Jefferson County as a drought emergency through Executive Order 24-08 and has declared a drought in Lake County through Executive Order 24-26, and directed state agencies to coordinate and prioritize assistance to the regions.

We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms. “When in doubt, stay out.”  Visit the Harmful Algae Bloom website or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767 to learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body. 

Wetlands

By Peggy Lynch 

The League supported HB 2238 (2023) to address the need to increase removal/fill permit fees to reduce the burden on the Common School Fund. As a result, the League has a member serving on the rules advisory committee. The League will also be supporting legislation to increase staffing at the Dept. of State Lands and the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development to provide assistance to local governments so they can more accurately address wetlands in their jurisdictions. 

Wildfire

By Carolyn Mayers

Leading up to the September Interim Legislative Session, the League has closely watched, with increasing concern, as a terrifying wildfire season has unfolded. Oregon has experienced its worst wildfire season on record, with nearly two million acres burned. This number presents nearly three times the 10-year average, and doubles the previous record set by the devastating 2020 season. Suppression costs are already at $288.9 million, obliterating the previous record, and over three times the 10-year average. And it is still ongoing, with several large fires still burning, and more expected. A constant drumbeat of how unsustainable this situation is was present during this interim session. Agencies laid out the dire situation during presentations from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), and the Department of the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM), detailed below. This Capital Chronicle article provides a brief overview. For a look at how this is straining ODF’s budget, read this article from KGW News, which goes into detail on what is planned to address the shortfall.

The first meeting the League monitored was that of the Joint Emergency Board Interim Subcommittee on Public Safety, on September 23. Kyle Williams, Deputy Director of Fire Operations for ODF, described the circumstances that have led to this year’s unprecedented wildfire season. He relayed, after first anticipating a “normal” wildfire season, how our wet spring weather led to explosive growth of fire fuels and grasses, which was followed by early extreme heat and arid conditions, leading to perfect wildfire conditions. He further relayed how it is somewhat unusual to have more than one widespread dry lightning event per season. But this year there were 4 widespread dry lighting events, two in July one week apart, and two more in August, also one week apart. He also described how that, at one point, there were so many fires at once that “we ran out of people.” He was referring to the fact that all of the ODF incident management teams and other personnel, as well as additional firefighting support from other States and Federal agencies, were all “tapped out”. Williams was followed by Chief Mariana Ruiz-Temple of OSFM, who echoed his concerns. She described how her department responded to a record-breaking six “conflagrations” - the term used for mega-fires over 100,000 acres. The Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO) recommended that the board pay the requested $47.5 million to ODF, but with this workaround - using $20 million from the board's general fund and $20 million from a separate special allocation reserved for natural disaster emergencies. In its analysis, though, the LFO says ODF will need much more than $47.5 million in the coming months. The full Joint Emergency Board approved the request at their meeting on September 25th, accompanied by much angst expressed over the reactive manner in which wildfire funding is currently handled, and acknowledgement that more money will be needed at their December meeting.

Later the same day was a meeting of the House Interim Committee on Emergency Management, General Government and Veterans. Kyle Williams of ODF, and Chief Ruiz-Temple presented much of the same information as at the previous meeting, with Williams adding that this may well be “our new normal”, and the State is not prepared to handle this new reality with the current funding or approach. He told the committee that this season, they “…fit 3 years-worth of fires into 3 months.”, and that their people were completely exhausted. Ruiz-Temple emphasized that while the Department’s pre-positioning and immediate response tactics helped save many residences, fires are starting earlier, are more in number, are growing more complex, lasting longer and destroying more property. She and Williams both stated that they try to remain hopeful, but that “Hope is not a plan.”, and solutions to the lack of adequate, sustainable funding to address the wildfire crisis must be found. There was also discussion of current shortages of firefighting personnel, and the factors that will exacerbate this problem in the future, such as the difficulty and danger of the work, which leads to problems with recruitment, and the upcoming “wave of retirements”. Chief Ruiz-Temple reiterated, “There wasn’t another firefighter in the system at the worst of it.”, meaning there were, at one point, no more available personnel if another fire had broken out. This OPB article highlights the shortage of firefighting personnel. Another point made by Chief Ruiz-Temple was how, in her view, “We are 20 years behind in this work.”, in reference to durable, sustainable funding, and workforce development. 

The Interim House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment met next, and received an update on the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council from Doug Grafe, Military and Wildfire Advisor to Governor Kotek. He stated that the Council would deliver their Annual Report to the Legislature on October 11, and that the new Wildfire Hazard map would be completed by the beginning of the 2025 long session. He also noted the Council is appointing 10 new members this year. Grafe was followed by Kyle Williams of ODF, who gave yet another update on the 2024 wildfire season with many of the same highlights as previously reported. New details emerged, such as the fact that the previously mentioned dry lightning events yielded 6,100 lightning strikes and ignited over 100 fires. Chief Ruiz-Temple also summarized the wildfire season, adding the salient point that, “Wildfire is the one natural disaster we can mitigate.” She shared one bit of good news, relaying how up-staffing grants, which have been used to help local fire departments build staff and acquire equipment, helped reduce loss of structures and assets throughout the state.

September 24th brought a meeting of the Interim Senate Committee on Natural Resources, and an update on the Wildfire Funding Workgroup, which was created by HB 5701, Budget Note 5. This group was charged with convening a workgroup to find an equitable, affordable, durable, sustainable solution to the wildfire funding crisis. Presenting were Doug Grafe, Kyle Williams, and Travis Medema, Deputy Chief of OSFM. There was emphasis on how there was not likely to be one solution but some combination of approaches proposed, including money from the General Fund. Senator Jeff Golden suggested that, though it was part of the work groups’ discussions, he felt that unprecedented pressure on the General Fund made it unlikely that it would be part of the solution. Other avenues being explored are targeted fees, a reworking of existing funding to make it more equitable, and what was called “a broad approach”, which means exploring any and every idea that hasn’t been explored yet. The group has met three times and will meet in October, and deliver a progress report in December. In addition, Williams offered the sobering expectation that ODF anticipates there will likely be two more significant wildfire events this season based on conditions and weather forecasts. Deputy Chief Medema informed the committee that OSFM had 44 responses this season so far, a number he called “extremely unprecedented”.

Later, on the 24th, the League listened in on a meeting of the Interim Senate Committee on Energy and Environment, at which Nolan Moser, Interim Executive Director of the Oregon Public Utility Commission, gave a presentation on Wildfire Mitigation and Rate Making. Moser detailed the effort this organization’s Safety Division is making toward wildfire mitigation, and what the associated costs, which will affect rates, are projected to be. All the details of that presentation may be found here.

In other news, Doug Grafe reported that we have lost 49 residences and 124 additional structures across 19 different fires. These numbers might be updated by the end of the fire season.

Volunteers Needed 

What is your passion related to Natural Resources?  You can help. Volunteers are needed. The long legislative session begins in January of 2025. Natural Resource Agency Boards and Commissions meet regularly year-round and need monitoring. If any area of natural resources is of interest to you, please contact Peggy Lynch, Natural Resources Coordinator, at peggylynchor@gmail.com. Training will be offered.