Please see Natural Resources Overview here.

Jump to a topic:

• Agriculture

• Budgets/Revenue

• Climate

• Coastal Issues

• Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

• Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI)

• Department of State Lands (DSL)

• Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC)

• Elliott State Research Forest

• Forestry (ODF)

• Governance

• Land Use & Housing

• Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)

• Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD)

• Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB)

• Recycling

• Regional Solutions

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• Transportation

• Water

• Weather

• Wildfire 

Intro  

Below you can read about work in our natural resource agencies these past three months, including Agency Request Budgets (ARBs). If not listed, go to their websites and find the top line “About Us”.  Listed under that section is a link to budget information.  

We are concerned by many federal agency actions, including the management of public lands per this Oregon Capital Chronicle article. We hope League members will engage in these issues and reach out to our federal delegation to express your view on these actions. Then there are potential changes reducing our roadless areas and allowing power plants to emit pollutants.  

Another Example: The three-decade-old Congressional Review Act requires new regulations issued by federal agencies to be submitted to Congress before taking effect. Congress then has a review period of 60 working days during which it can vote to revoke them.

None of the plans issued by federal land managers over the past 30 years was ever submitted for review, because no one at the time considered them to be rules. In other words, hundreds of plans covering millions of acres of land could be deemed invalid under the new congressional interpretation.

You may want to follow the Reports from agency Boards and Commissions as they work to implement Governor Kotek’s Executive Order 25-26: Climate Resiliency for Natural and Working Lands and Waters. 

Natural Resource Agency coverage is increasing with new League volunteers. (But we continue to need more!!) Because transportation is linked to our statewide land use planning system, you will find a report on ODOT by Janice Thompson.  See her report below.

AGRICULTURE

Here is the 2027-29 Agency Request Budget (ARB).  

BUDGETS/REVENUE

Peggy Lynch

On Sept. 9, the Joint Interim Subcommittee on Natural Resources moved to the Emergency Board 12 grant applications for submission.  Then they moved 8 items from the Monsanto Environmental Restoration Fund  as presented by the Governor’s Senior Natural Resources Policy Advisor. Most of the projects being funded are items which LWVOR has supported in the past, including monies for failing septic repair/replacement, addressing brownfields and increased mine reclamations. Meeting materials are available on each item online. The full Emergency Board approved on Sept. 10.    

Agencies have turned in their budget requests to the Governor’s Office.  She will share her 2027-29 budget on Dec. 1^st.  The August Revenue Forecast showed some small increases.  Of note is Agriculture and Mining were two of the industries that saw growth.  Full Revenue Forecast Report and the  slide presentation.

Here are all 746 pages of the 2025-27 Legislative Adopted Budget.  The document is searchable.  See page 739 of the official document (page 743 when reading online) for the monies the Emergency Board (E-Board) was allocated by the full legislature during the 2025 session.  It is those monies that the E-Board has been spending during Legislative Days.  They may spend more during the December Legislative Days as needed. Leftover monies are returned to the ending fund balance to be available in 2027. We expect that the Oregon State Fire Marshal will ask for additional monies in December.   

The Governor has now received all the Agency Request Budgets (ARBs).  Look on their websites under “About Us” and find the “Budget” link.  Next steps are to engage the Governor’s Office before she provides her Dec. 1^st Recommended Budget (GRB). 

CLIMATE

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

LWV Coos County sent a letter in support of a potential Connect Oregon/ODOT project: Port of Coos Bay for the Charleston Shipyard Improvement Project - Phase 1, Marine Ways Replacement.  They share that this is an important infrastructure in support of the fishing industry  that has been neglected. The project is on the final list for approval per this press release.

Local League members are active, including serving on the Citizen's Advisory Committee for the revision of the Estuary Management Plan for Coos Bay. It is a slog and will take more than 2 years to get into serious meat.  The League’s Port Committee will be working on a public engagement meeting at the Egyptian Theatre in early January.  They continue to attend Port meetings, and comment and express concern at the public money being spent on the proposed Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP) project in Coos Bay. (See the LWV Coos County public website.) The bulk of this money is going to outside contractors, and the NEPA process is up in the air as to when there will be documents for review.  

The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) is extending the comment period  for proposed changes to administrative rules (OAR 141-083) that guide how easements are issued for uses of the territorial sea.  The extended comment period is now open until September 21 at 5:00 p.m. (Pacific). 

The Ocean Policy Advisory Council will meet on September 29 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A hybrid event, with in-person participation encouraged and remote participation supported. A draft meeting agenda and materials will soon be available at https://oregonocean.info/.  In-person location: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife | Commission Meeting Room | 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr SE | Salem, OR | 97302. For online participation: please register for the meeting. Contact: Andy.Lanier@dlcd.oregon.gov They are also seeking new members.

Oregon Ocean Science Trust meeting Oct. 7.  Use their website to see the agenda and meeting materials per this news release. 

The Land Conservation and Development Commission initiated rulemaking to develop new rules under Goal 16: Estuarine Resources, Goal 17: Coastal Shorelands, and Goal 18: Beaches and Dunes related to the use of coastal shoreline stabilization measures directed by Senate Bill (SB) 504 (2025).  Coastal shoreline stabilization rulemaking webpage.

Oregon Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap report submitted to the legislature per this press release. The full Roadmap, including appendices and responses to public comments, may be found on the DLCD website. If Oregon chooses to pursue or allow offshore wind development, the Roadmap outlines the conditions, processes, and standards from which it could proceed responsibly while protecting the interests of coastal communities, federally recognized Tribes in Oregon (Tribes), fisheries, and ecosystems while advancing Oregon’s clean energy and climate goals. The League provided testimony on HB 4080 (2024), the legislation that required this work.   

Update of the Territorial Sea Plan: The Department of Land Conservation and Development is asking the Land Conservation and Development Commission to initiate a rulemaking process to amend Parts One and Two of the Territorial Sea Plan.  The Territorial Sea Plan rulemaking webpage will host the information and materials in support of the LCDC rulemaking effort. Information will also be posted on the Oregon Ocean Information website as it pertains to OPAC meetings. 

DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ)

DEQ's draft Workplan (staff report and Workplan) for implementing Executive Order 25-26: Climate Resiliency for Natural and Working Lands and Waters is available for review and input. DEQ drafted this Workplan drawing from across the agency’s Water Quality Program, Smoke Management Program, and in consultation with its Climate Protection Program. It is focused on DEQ's current programs and relevant areas of work and how they align with the Executive Order’s focus and priorities related to the resilience of Oregon’s lands, waters and communities. Written feedback accepted through 4 p.m. September 24.

The Environmental Quality Commission held its regular meeting on Sept. 10-11.  Materials for the meeting, including links to staff reports, are available on the meeting agenda webpage.

DEPT. OF GEOLOGY AND MINERAL INDUSTRIES (DOGAMI)

Joan Fryxell

The League continues to monitor the Grassy Mountain Gold Mine project, which is getting closer to approval. We are concerned about  the environmental consequences that may develop.  DOGAMI has approved permits for exploratory drilling at the McDermitt Lithium Project, which the League is monitoring to see if these wells indicate any lithium concentrations that merit further attention.  It was encouraging to hear the spokesperson for the project mention sequential exploration, which has potential to keep the environmental impacts to a minimum.    Hexagon Energy is beginning to explore geothermal development in Oregon and Washington, aiming for 3 gigawatts of electricity in Washington, although they are only in the exploration and evaluation phase.

DEPT. OF STATE LANDS

At the June 9^th State Land Board meeting, the agency presented a draft of their 2027-29 budget and Policy Option Packages.  See page 126 of the meeting packet. 

DRINKING WATER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DWAC)

Sandra U. Bishop

One of the main topics of interest at the July 15^th meeting of the Drinking Water Advisory Committee (DWAC) was the ongoing discussion on the PFAS rules. Exposure to PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyi substances) has various increased health risks including the risk of certain cancers, liver damage, compromised immunity and development and reproductive effects.

Original PFAS Rule: The first federal PFAS rule was finalized in 2014. The EPA in May 2025 announced they would be revising the rule and advised states not to adopt the first rule. In May 2026 EPA proposed two new PFAS rules. OHA Drinking Water Services (DWS) has a choice to follow one of two paths for compliance.

Revised PFAS rule (2026-Rescission): This rule rescinds the MCLs (Maximum Contaminant Levels) for three PFAS and rescinds the hazard index for a mix of PFASs. There is no dispute about the adverse health effects. The rescinded regulation was based on a procedural issue with no opportunity for public comment on the four MCLs to be rescinded. 

Revised PFAS rule (2026-Exemption): This alternative rule provides an exemption to extend the MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) compliance due date for PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) & PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) to April 2031. This sounds worse than it is. DWS rarely uses this rule. Public notice for MCL violation might be delayed. Any water system in violation of a MCL would only be required to provide Public Notice within one year. The water system would need to certify they can’t meet the deadline but are working on it. If ≥ 12ppt, the water system must meet two of six criteria to qualify: providing water pitchers, filters, alternative water supplies, POU or POE tx (point-of-use water filters for treatment), source water actions, or public education to consumers and the community. This rule retains initial monitoring by April 26, 2027, and compliance with MCLs by April 26, 2029 is required for all PWS (public water systems) without exception.

The EPA PFAS rules are expected to be finalized by the end of 2026. There was discussion about health effects and additional details provided about the background of the PFAS rules. Oregon must adopt rules that are no less stringent than the federal rule. Drinking Water Services has the option to adopt the original EPA PFAS rule without revisions or adopt rules that include part of the revisions or rescissions. Discussion from DWAC members indicated that those representing public interest groups are not in support of adopting Oregon rules that would rescind the MCLs for three PFAS and rescind the hazard index for a mix of PFASs.

This is the main EPA PFAS drinking water rule webpage. There are many fact sheets and links to the final rule and other documents with more detailed health effects information.  

ELLIOTT STATE RESEARCH FOREST (ESRF)

In a Sept. 14^th press release: The Elliott State Research Forest has begun its first timber harvests since its designation as a research forest. Operations on the Elliott aim to balance society’s need for wood products with the preservation of water quality and quantity across the watershed, carbon sequestration, climate resilience, and other forest ecosystems services. The Elliott’s first timber harvests will occur across 501 acres at two sites. The estimated $4 million sale from this timber harvest will go back into the Elliott to fund operations.

The ESRF Board met July 8.  Click here to download the meeting agenda and materials. Harvest has begun on some parts of the forest.  Studies of the marbled murrelet and riparian restoration corridors have begun.  Carbon stocks are being inventoried. The Board received reports on the carbon market process.  A beginning discussion occurred around a Recreation Plan and an Education Plan, two of the foundational elements required of this public forest, supported by LWVOR.  Now is the time to begin to share your visions of these yet to be developed Plans.  ESRF website.  

FORESTRY (ODF)

Josie Koehne

Board of Forestry Updates: The composition of the 7-member Board of Forestry will change drastically this month. Jim Kelly, Chair, Brenda McComb, and Joe Justice who were all appointed by Governor Kotek in 2018, will end their four-year terms on September 26^th.  Remaining members are Ben Deumling, who will serve as Chair, Heath Curtiss, General Counsel for Hampton Lumber, and a fourth-generation privately held forest products manufacturer headquartered in Portland and Alexi Lovechio, of Ashland, who serves as Forests and Ecosystem Services Program Manager with Ecotrust and held previous climate policy and organizer roles on national forest policy. The Senate confirmed Kotek’s new appointments on Sept 10th in the Senate Interim Committee On Rules and Executive Appointments. They will start their new terms on Sept 28th. They are Lydia Grimm of Multnomah County, Randy Hereford of Benton County and Kristin Kovalik of Deschutes County.

About their backgrounds: Ms. Lydia T Grimm is a lawyer practicing natural resources, public land law, energy and 3 other areas of law. Lydia received a B.A. degree from University of California at Berkeley in 1986, and has been licensed for 36 years. Lydia practices in Portland, OR.

Randy Hereford is from Starker Forest in Benton and was named 2025 Forester of the Year. Hereford graduated from Oregon State University College of Forestry in 1977 with a dual Forest Management/Forest Engineering degree. He came to Starker Forests in September 1978 and was a field forester and forest engineer for 42 years. During those years, Randy did all the jobs required of a field forester including road design and construction, logging layout and supervision, and reforestation. He was very involved in the company’s fire program, both for reforestation and for wildfire prevention and suppression.  He was tabbed to be president and CEO of the company in 2019. His timber is Forest Stewardship Council®-certified. In addition to his work in forest management, Randy has been a strong advocate for securing and maintaining adequate firefighting funding in Oregon to ensure that the Oregon Department of Forestry and land managers have the resources they need to protect our forestlands and he supports sustainable forestry practices.

Kristin Kovalik is an Oregon State Program Director. Kristin holds a B.S. from Pennsylvania State University, a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from University of Oregon and a Certificate in Sustainable Management from Duke University. She started her conservation career at The Trust for Public Land (TPL) in 1997 working with communities in Oregon, Washington, Montana and Idaho,  completing working forest and farmland conservation projects to protect drinking water, fish and wildlife habitat and public access for recreation. She collaborated on conservation finance measures and partnered with the Klamath Tribes and the Chiloquin community. She earned two awards, including U.S Forest Service for Outstanding Achievement in Conservation.

The seventh seat is vacant.

ODF News: The new Oregon State Forester, Kacey KC started work on March 1st and has recently testified on wildfire funding at the Senate Interim Committee On Natural Resources and Wildfire hearing during Legislative Days. The Emergency Board voted to approve more funding for wildfire reimbursement costs for this very severe and destructive fire season. The Treasury was authorized to provide low interest loans capped at $150 million to ODF for wildfire recovery compensation through the end of the year.

In July, the final report of Economic Analysis of ODF Western Oregon Forest Management Plan Scenarios was published. The model projected outcomes to show examples of the trade-offs between resources and outcomes under different implementation approaches and the chosen plan will be incorporated into the Western Oregon Forest Management Plan (FMP) which is due to be approved by the Board by the end of this year. It will include the elements of the State Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). NOAH Fisheries still has work to do as part of HCP process. On September 11, during ODF’s meeting with conservationists, ODF staff announced that the State Habitat Conservation Plan has been approved, just before the federal application for an Accidental Take Permit (ITP) was due to expire, as is required as part of the HCP. This is great news for environmentalists, as it assures certain areas will be preserved for endangered forest and aquatic species protection on state lands, and timber logging will only be allowed in certain designated areas.

An HCP for private forests that was part of the Private Forest Accord agreement is pending and hopefully will be approved during the next session. This agreement was dependent on the passage of the State HCP or will negate that agreement if it fails to pass next year. The Board of Forestry will need to approve the final rulemaking of the PFA, but no date has been set yet.

Here is the agency’s proposed 2027-29 Budget (ARB) and the website for more information.  The Governor will provide her Recommended Budget (GRB) by Dec. 1^st.

GOVERNANCE

Peggy Lynch

The House Interim Committee On Rules held a public information hearing on “Outcomes Reviews Process Overview and Update” during their Sept. 8^th meeting (Meeting Materials).  Legislators reviewed bills they had championed and shared what they had learned.  It was important that it was the legislators who supported the bills who were doing the reporting.  But some legislation takes years before it is really implemented and legislators come and go. So perhaps reviews should happen in the committee that passed the bill.  Part of what was learned was the need to be clearer in writing legislation to allow for it to be implemented in a way that leads to the outcomes wanted.  

Oregonlive provided an editorial in support of the process.  Legislators need to consider the cost of this process and, if they move forward, should limit the number of bills reviewed.   Many natural resource bills require rulemaking before implementation so this new process will be important for the League to follow.  

HANFORD

Hanford Advisory Board membership reduced per this OPB article.  “What we’re losing is the collaboration and coalition building to amplify the message that the Columbia River needs to be protected,” said Tom Sicilia with the Oregon Department of Energy. He’s part of the board, but said he’s speaking just for himself.

LAND USE & HOUSING

Peggy Lynch

The League and the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) are hearing concerns about a rulemaking that was approved to begin related to Unincorporated Communities:  staff slide show and Aug. 28 meeting materials.  Here is the rulemaking page.

On Sept. 9, the Senate Interim Committee On Natural Resources and Wildfire received a presentation on Rural Land Use.  Rep. Marsh provided information on a Work Group with potential information on rural housing. Under consideration would be allowing a second residence on farmland—including that the second the residence could be used as a rental. However, the property would remain whole—not divided due to the second home. Then DLCD provided a presentation on the rulemaking mentioned above.  

The Dept. of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) 2027-29 Agency Request Budget.  

On Sept. 9, the House Interim Committee On Housing and Homelessness and the Senate Interim Committee On Housing and Development each received a presentation on the Local Residential Development Process Improvement Study required by previous legislation.  

The proposed draft rules for Oregon Administrative Rules chapter 660, Division 46 - Middle Housing in Medium and Large Cities, have been adopted  by the Land Conservation and Development Committee during their August meeting. One highlight of the changes made to the rules prior to adoption is the removal of the 900 square foot cap for individual units that are within a cottage cluster. The new definition allows cottage cluster developments to have an average floor area of up to 1,400 square feet. The adopted rules will be effective on September 14, 2026.

Public Comment Period Extended to October 2 for Middle Housing Oregon Homes Rulemaking to implement HB 2258 (2025). This extended public comment period is specific to the proposed draft rules for Oregon Administrative Rules chapter 660, Division 47 per this press release.   

Data Centers have become a major political issue in Oregon and around the U.S. Governor Kotek has established a Data Center Advisory Committee.  League members are monitoring, not just related to land use, but water and energy use and tax consequences. Look for legislation in 2027. Because Data Centers are a hot topic and the use of land is one part (along with water and energy use, air and noise pollution and tax credits), here are some articles that might be of interest:

• UN weighs in on Data Centers June 23. 

• Hillsboro Lawsuit related to Data Centers/tax policy in Oregonlive. 

• Discussion on tax breaks: Oregonlive June 25th. 

• Woodburn creates a moratorium on new data centers per this Sept. 15th OPB article.

• Governor Kotek's Data Center Advisory Committee shares questions and few answers per this Sept. 16^th Oregon Capital Chronicle article and this Salem Reporter article.

• ECO Northwest and the University of Virginia provide a report on Oregon's data centers per this Sept. 17^th OPB article.

We are seeing advertising by Oregon Connects, a lobby group for the data center industry.

Stand Up to Data Centers Oregon is a new coalition that might be of interest 

The Community Involvement Advisory Committee (CIAC) is meeting Sept. 18.  The agenda includes reports on current rulemaking and recruitment for new members.

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

The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) are seeking volunteers to serve on the state’s Community Involvement Advisory Committee (CIAC).  Apply HERE.

OREGON DEPT. OF FISH AND WILDLIFE (ODFW)

Melanie Moon

Oregon Fish and Wildlife held an open house on September 9 to discuss the ODFW 2026-2029 Climate Resilience Work Plan which prioritizes rangeland resiliency, kelp bed restoration and beaver modified landscapes. Featured actions will provide connectivity with aquatic and other wildlife as well as working to improve and increase partnerships. ODFW will develop innovative mitigation solutions including, for the first time, those on federal lands. ODFW will lead by example as evidenced by their hatchery plan, infrastructure improvements, wildlife resiliency plan and coast fire recovery plan, as well as continue to support the Oregon Dept of Forestry 20-year Landscape Resiliency Strategies. The ODFW 3-Year Action Plan for Beaver-Modified Landscapes (BAP) 1.0, begun in June 2023, completed 1000 surveys over 100 stream miles. As a result, the ‘Beaver Habitat Guidance Manual’ will be finalized and released by the end of 2026 with an intent of improving understanding of local attitudes and goals. BAP 1.0 provided data and analyses that will be integrated in the next stage, BAP 2.0, to continue this work over the next biennium. ODFW added 5 positions and additional funding will provide increased tech support, training and demonstration projects.

Per a Sept. 3^rd  article in the Oregon Capitol Chronicle: Loss of staff at U.S. Fish and Wildlife: U.S. Fish and Wildlife went from nearly 10,000 staffers in 2024 to just over 6,300 today, according to federal data obtained by the Center for Biological Diversity.  The number of Fish and Wildlife employees in Oregon is down 40% since 2024, from 434 full, part-time and seasonal staff in 2024 to 257 as of this year.   

Here is ODFW’s 2027-29 Agency Request Budget. The Governor will consider the agency’s budget proposal before submitting her budget to the legislature.  

OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPT (OPRD)

Jim Buck

The League continues to work with others to address the fiscal crisis at OPRD. Partners are serving on a Work Group with the hope of some solutions in 2027. The agency has found $250,000 rent savings as they move to another facility. 

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission will consider whether to approve purchase of Abiqua Falls and an adjacent 160-acre property at its meeting on Sept.23. The state agency would use $2 million earmarked by the 2026 Oregon legislature for the two acquisitions, which could result in a new state park near Scott Mills

OREGON WATERSHED ENHANCEMENT BOARD (OWEB)

Starting on Page 3 of the July Director’s Report is OWEB’s Agency Request Budget for 2027-29. 

The Climate Resilience Attributes of Oregon Lands and Waters report is now online! This report is in response to Governor Kotek’s October 2025 Executive Order No. 25-26 (EO), titled Directing State Agencies to Take Urgent Action to Promote the Resilience of our Communities and Natural and Working Lands and Waters. The EO tasked the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) with defining climate resilience attributes for Oregon’s lands and waters using existing plans, strategies, and the best available science. The goal is to outline the characteristics of climate resilience for Oregon’s lands and waters, serving as the first step in a coordinated and sustained effort across state agencies and helping guide investment and action. OWEB announcement.  In the coming months, state agencies and the Governor’s Natural Resources Office will be using the attributes to inform baseline measurements for the "Ten Percent in Ten Years" target outlined in the EO. Agencies have also launched work groups to articulate opportunities for addressing key directives in the EO and are working to align their 2027-2029 workplans with those directives. 

The Oregon Environmental Restoration Council (OERC)—a part of OWEB--has an OERC’s website.  The state of Oregon has secured a historic $698 million dollar settlement against Monsanto for long term harm caused by the company’s polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) chemicals to Oregon’s land, water, fish and wildlife. The Sept. 10 Emergency Board approved an Other Funds expenditure limitation on the approved state agency applications.  See meeting materials items 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 55 & 56.   

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board website is hosting natural resource agencies’ website. Towards the bottom of the page is a link to the background memo for the workshop held in March.

RECYCLING

DEQ reported on Aug. 28:  the United States District Court for the District of Oregon ruled that Oregon’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act is constitutional, allowing the state to continue implementing the landmark recycling law. In its decision this week, the court determined that the Recycling Modernization Act does not violate either the dormant Commerce Clause or the Due Process Clause. The League supported this 2021 legislation. 

REGIONAL SOLUTIONS

The Regional Solutions Program: Within each of the 11 Regions, which are tied to Oregon’s federally designated Economic Development Districts, a Governor-appointed Advisory Committee sets Regional Priorities and a cross-functional Team of state agency staff works together to move projects forward. To receive their reports, use this signup page.  The public is welcome to attend virtually or in person.  Go to the program website and to the region to find the agendas and meeting materials posted a few days before the meetings.  Public Comment is usually scheduled.   Meetings are scheduled to consider the qualified grant applications received for the $10 million that the 2026 legislature added to the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF). The fund’s purpose this session is for grants to local and tribal governments with populations under 25,000 for infrastructure projects, including long-range planning, research and design and that can be completed in 24 months. Upcoming Regional Solutions Advisory Committee Meetings in October: 

Monday, 10/12

• Central (1-4pm) 

Tuesday, 10/13

• Northeastern (10am-12pm)

• South Central (10:30am-1pm)

• Mid-Valley (1-3:30pm)

• Southern (1:30-3:30pm)

• North Central (3-5pm) 

Wednesday, 10/14

• South Coast (12-2pm)

• South Valley/Mid-Coast (1-3pm)

• Metro (1-3pm) 

Thursday, 10/15

• North Coast (9:30-11:30am)

• Eastern (1-3pm)

Links to join virtually will be provided on Sept. 28.  See the Regional Solutions website then.  

STATE LAND BOARD

Peggy Lynch

The State Land Board meets regularly. Their next meetings (tentative) are October 13, and December 8. Watch a livestream of the meeting or recordings of past meetings on their YouTube channel. 

Here’s the agenda for the June 9^th meeting.  The Department of State Lands (DSL) budget for 2027-29 was presented where the Land Board authorized the DSL Director to submit and certify Agency Request Budget since the Governor also has a voice and vote on the DSL budget submission to the legislature in her Governor’s Budget.

TRANSPORTATION

Janice Thompson

Coming in 2027: Another attempt for transportation legislation. Background info is that, following a pattern of adopting major transportation bills roughly every 10 years, Oregon’s last package was adopted in 2017. This was a comprehensive bill, HB 2017, that moved beyond a major focus on roads and motor vehicles with revenue provisions for transit and programs like Safe Streets for Schools.

The next major transportation bill was planned for 2025 but never got a vote. A stop gap bill (HB 3991) was adopted during a September special session but its relatively modest provisions to increase revenue, an increase in registration fees and higher gas and payroll (for transit) taxes were rejected in a May 2026 referendum vote (Measure 120). A 2026 “band aid” bill cut programs like Safe Streets for Schools to shore up ODOT resources for road maintenance and operations, though ODOT remains underfunded.

A 2027 transportation bill faces significant hurdles due to budget challenges and the referendum threat regarding future attempts to raise revenue. LWVOR joined the Move Forward Oregon (MOF)  coalition which formed in advance of the 2025 session and advocates for transportation legislation that puts safety first, is climate forward, provides fair and sustainable funding, and stresses accountability and transparency. MOF will be preparing a proactive legislative proposal for 2027. 

What will hopefully be a valuable resource for 2027 legislative discussions is data compilation and recommendations from Governor Kotek’s Rebuilding Our Transportation Vision Work Group. The Work group began in May, and its report is due in December. The League sent an Action Alert asking members to provide input into the Work Group’s ideas. Some initial findings of the Work Group include:

• Oregon’s transportation system is one of the most valuable and universally accessed resources statewide.

• The transportation system is under pressure:

  • Funding isn’t keeping up with costs.

  • Inflation is reducing purchasing power.

  • Maintenance needs are growing faster than resources.

• The cost of doing nothing is actually expensive in terms of more deteriorating roads and bridges, delays, closures and less safe, reliable travel.

• Poor public understanding of the importance and challenges facing Oregon’s transportation systems is a major challenge.

  
  

A major priority will be tracking the major transportation legislation in terms of what it includes but also what is excluded. For example, a statewide approach to transit was in the 2017 legislation for the first time, but its future might be uncertain. LWVOR has been a strong advocate for statewide transit funding. Other transportation related bills may also merit LWVOR attention such as stopping super speeders (to require repeat and extreme reckless speeders to install speed-limiting technology) and safety and other regulations on autonomous vehicles.

Share Your Feedback to Help Shape Oregon’s Transportation Investments. The First Capital Investment Plan is now available for public review in an online open house. Visit the online open house through November 2. Press Release

WATER

The full Agency Request Budget and policy option package narratives can be found on their website. Oregon Water Resources Dept. 2027-29 agency budget request documents.  

From the Summer 2026 Policy and Partnership Update: All agency-sponsored legislation for the 2027 legislative session and agency requests for new investments in the 2027-29 budget, or policy option packages, must be approved by the Governor's Office. Concepts are then written into formal bills, which are introduced ahead of the legislative session.

• LC 378, General spending authority: To provide clarity on OWRD's authority to expend funds, this concept proposes to add the authority for OWRD to enter into grant agreements, contracts, and make direct payments of funds for the purposes appropriated by the Legislature.

• LC 379, Deschutes Groundwater Mitigation Program: This concept extends the program sunset date from 2029 to 2039 to allow more time for existing permits to develop their mitigation requirements and to provide more time for program improvement. This concept also proposes to add requirements for formal consultation with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs on any rulemaking activities related to the program and clarifies injury and program review and reporting requirements to include assessments of impacts on the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs’ Reserved Right in the settlement agreement.

Keep up with budget and legislative news from OWRD at owrd.info/legislative.

The Oregon Water Resources Dept. (OWRD) needs to update some rules due to statute change but we are considering other improvements to Division 250 (water distribution), 260 (civil penalties in other than well construction) (exempt uses) and 300 (definitions—really the overlapping definitions with the other rules). We are interested in what suggestions you and others have in terms of how the rules could be improved for clarity and consistency in application. Website for this potential rulemaking.  A Rules Advisory Committee may begin work this fall.  You can contact OWRD if you are interested in serving.  Here is a paper on the Waste of Water.  And another with definitions of waste in other Western States.     

Oregon Water Caucus: The Oregon Legislature's Water Caucus is a bipartisan, bicameral group of state legislators and staff committed to fostering a secure and resilient water future for all.  To learn more about the Water Caucus and its work, please contact Harmony Burright at 541-846-8863 or Harmony.Burright@OregonLegislature.gov. You can also subscribe to receive email updates from the Water Caucus​.  

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. On Sept. 16, Governor  Kotek added Hood River to the list of counties declared a drought emergency per this KOIN article. More than half of Oregon’s counties are now under drought emergency status. 

We all need to pay attention to the potential for harmful algal blooms (HABs). “When in doubt, stay out.”  With the heat and drought, the danger is serious. 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. Information on current advisories can be found on the OHA’s cyanobacteria bloom webpage at healthoregon.org/hab. The OHA has an online photo gallery to help community members identify signs of potentially harmful blooms. 

WEATHER

The West could be in for “one of the strongest El Niños we’ve had,” said Larry O’Neill, Oregon’s state climatologist. The ocean and atmospheric weather pattern that occurs every few years and touches all parts of the West typically brings with it warmer and drier temperatures from August through winter, but during a super El Niño — of which there have been only three since 1980 — it does the opposite, bringing greater rain and mountain snowpack.

The Oregon Capital Chronicle had an article on June 23: Warming temperatures at the equator could paradoxically bring the Northwest a wet fall and high winter snowpack, according to climatologists. Oregonlive had an article on Aug. 19. Your Oregon News had an article on Sept. 10: An El Nino strengthened in the past month and now has a 75% chance of being the strongest on record, according to the National Weather Service.

WILDFIRE

Carolyn Mayers

On Sept. 9, the Joint Interim Subcommittee on Natural Resources moved to the Emergency Board the LFO Recommendation: The Legislative Fiscal Office recommends that the Emergency Board acknowledge receipt of the report and allocate $66,040,014 General Fund from the special purpose appropriation made to the Emergency Board for natural disaster prevention, preparedness for, response, and recovery and allocate $30,000,000 General Fund from the Emergency Fund to the Department of Forestry to cover a portion of the 2026 fire season net large fire costs; allocate $11,832,630 General Fund from the special purpose appropriation made to the Emergency Board for fire protection expenses to the Department of Forestry for severity costs; and increase Other Funds expenditure limitation for the Department of Forestry, Fire Protection, by $250,000,000 for processing payments related to the 2026 fire season.

Also recommended was a Treasury Loan per the LFO Recommendation of up to $150 million to cover any additional costs for this fire season.  Also, they recommended grants for Linn and Wallowa Counties for mitigation.  Lastly, they recommended an increase in Federal Funds expenditure limitation for the Department of Forestry, Fire Protection, by $1,805,379 and authorize the establishment of four permanent seasonal positions (2.23 FTE) for executing the Western State Fire Manager Wildland Urban Interface fuel mitigation grant. 

The following report is a month old and the numbers have increased, but it is still part of the fire season data.  In an email from Doug Grafe, Oregon’s Wildfire Programs Director on August 13:  Currently across the state of Oregon we have responded to just over 1,450 fires at approximately 2.6 million acres burned.  Our 10-year average for the year is approximately 2000 fires at 660,000 acres. We currently have 30 active large fires (large fire is over 100 acres in timber and 300 acres in grass) with 10,000 personnel assigned to fires across the state. 

• Over 19,000 residences are under an evacuation notice currently, we have lost 52 residences to-date, along with an additional 150 outbuildings across 15 Oregon communities. 

• It’s an all-hands-on deck approach with local fire departments, state and federal agencies, the Oregon National Guard, private landowners, international partners, fire fighter contractors, tribal nations, and non-profits all collaborating to protect lives and property. 

• In a somber reminder of the impacts of fire seasons, we lost firefighter Jason Ensign on the Wrights Spring fire last Thursday night when the fire overtook his dozer. Jason served as a fire fighter with land management company Green Diamond Resource Company.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, and flags are flying at half-mast on Friday in his honor. 

• Coordination and partnership between the Legislature and the Governor’s Office have put us in the best possible position for success this season to pay our fire bills. Based on our 5-year average costs, we started this fire season with $80 million. Additionally, HB 3940 (2025) authorized treasury loans to be available, if needed, when we exceed our 5-year averaged costs on years such as this: state costs to-date are currently exceeding $220 million in gross suppression costs.  Following FEMA - Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG) and other agency billings, net costs to the state are exceeding $150 million. During the September legislative days, the Legislature, Treasury and Executive branch will collaborate on the best pathway to ensure the State has the cashflow to pay our fire bills on time. Coordination between the federal government and Oregon is just as critical to ensure FMAG reimbursements, which generally cover 75% of firefighting costs when approved for a fire. Oregon has received seven FMAGs this season. 

• At the following site you can find significant fire details updated daily for the region, including daily fire reports and weather forecasts: Northwest Interagency Coordination Center NWCC.  Oregon specific wildfire support services (including air quality, evacuation and sheltering status, road closures) are tracked through the Oregon Emergency Management Department here: OEM Fires Dashboard. Additionally, the “watch duty” app is very useful to track daily fire activity on your phone. 

• Fire season generally comes to an end during the first or second weeks of October.  We have a long road ahead of us, including the month of September, where we experience an increased likelihood of hot and dry east wind events.

The work of the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council can be viewed here: Wildfire Programs Advisory Council

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: What is your passion related to Natural Resources? You can help. Volunteers are needed.  We particularly need help tracking legislation concerning:

• Oregon Dept. of Agriculture

• Air Quality (Dept. of Environmental Quality)

• Columbia River Gorge Commission

• Hanford Cleanup

• Recycling/Materials Management (Dept. of Environmental Quality)

• Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board

• Oregon Environmental Restoration Council

Interested in reading additional reports? Please see our Climate Emergency, Revenue, Governance, and Social Policy report sections.