Oregon Statutes 477.748 – Small forestland grant program
(1) As used in this section, ‘small forestland owner’ means an individual, group, federally recognized Indian tribe in Oregon or association that owns:
Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 477.748
- association: means an association, group or agency composed of owners of forestlands, organized for the purpose of protecting such forestlands from fire. See Oregon Statutes 477.001
- Department: means the State Forestry Department. See Oregon Statutes 477.001
- Forestland: means any woodland, brushland, timberland, grazing land or clearing that, during any time of the year, contains enough forest growth, slashing or vegetation to constitute, in the judgment of the forester, a fire hazard, regardless of how the land is zoned or taxed. See Oregon Statutes 477.001
- Owner: means an individual, a combination of individuals, a partnership, a corporation, the State of Oregon or a political subdivision thereof, or an association of any nature that holds an ownership interest in land. See Oregon Statutes 477.001
(a) Up to 160 acres of nonindustrial private forestland west of the crest of the Cascade Mountains; or
(b) Up to 640 acres of nonindustrial private forestland east of the crest of the Cascade Mountains.
(2) The State Forestry Department shall establish a small forestland grant program for the purpose of providing grants, on a competitive basis, to support small forestland owners in reducing wildfire risk through the restoration of landscape resiliency and the reduction of hazardous fuels on the owners’ property.
(3) In consultation with partners and stakeholders, the department shall set criteria for assessing grant applications and awarding grants. The criteria may include, but need not be limited to:
(a) Prioritization of projects on forestland in the high wildfire hazard zone described in ORS § 477.490.
(b) Owner commitment to maintaining fuel reduction treatments.
(c) Owner possession of a forest management plan.
(d) Project proximity to current or past fuel mitigation efforts, supported by any owner or funding source, that would contribute to cross-boundary, landscape-scale forest resiliency.
(e) Whether the project addresses additional resource concerns, such as insect and disease management.
(f) Whether critical facilities and infrastructure may receive enhanced protection due to project outcomes. [2021 c.592 § 24; 2023 c.611 § 12]
477.748 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS Chapter 477 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.
OREGON FOREST LAND
PROTECTION FUND