(1) The Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund shall be credited to the fund.

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(2) Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to carry out activities that serve to protect, maintain or enhance fish and wildlife resources in Oregon. The activities for which the department may expend fund moneys include, but are not limited to:

(a) Promoting the health of Oregon’s ecosystems and fish and wildlife species by implementing conservation programs and strategies identified in the Oregon Conservation Strategy, as defined in ORS § 541.890, including conservation programs and strategies for the nearshore identified in the marine component of the Oregon Conservation Strategy;

(b) Improving engagement of the public in hunting and fishing opportunities and in other outdoor recreation opportunities related to and in support of healthy fish, wildlife and habitats;

(c) Improving educational outreach and engagement of the public, including diverse and underserved communities, related to and in support of healthy fish, wildlife and habitats;

(d) Engaging in, and providing funding for, joint projects of the department and the State Parks and Recreation Department or other state agencies as recommended by the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Advisory Committee established under ORS § 496.254; and

(e) Other conservation, management, research, habitat improvement, enforcement, outdoor recreation or education activities.

(3) The fund shall consist of:

(a) Moneys appropriated to the State Department of Fish and Wildlife for deposit in the fund or otherwise transferred to the fund;

(b) Gifts, grants, contributions or other donations for use as described in subsection (2) of this section, that are received by the department from any public or private source and caused to be deposited and credited to the fund; and

(c) Moneys in the subaccount described in subsection (4) of this section.

(4) The Private Forest Accord Mitigation Subaccount is established in the fund. The subaccount shall consist of moneys appropriated to the department for deposit in the subaccount or otherwise transferred to the subaccount and gifts, grants, contributions or other donations that are received by the department from any public or private source and caused to be deposited and credited to the subaccount. Moneys in the subaccount may be used for:

(a) The purposes described in, and the administration of, ORS § 496.257.

(b) Conducting outreach to persons that own or operate an artificial obstruction, as defined in ORS § 509.580, to further the goal of fish passage.

(c) Conducting outreach to persons that may undertake projects described in ORS § 496.257.

(5) The department and the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Advisory Committee shall jointly submit a biennial report to the Legislative Assembly as provided in ORS § 293.640 regarding the expenditure of moneys deposited in the fund, other than moneys deposited in the Private Forest Accord Mitigation Subaccount, and on the status of various activities funded by the moneys.

(6) The department and the Private Forest Accord Mitigation Advisory Committee shall jointly submit a biennial report to the Legislative Assembly as provided in ORS § 293.640 regarding the expenditure of moneys deposited in the Private Forest Accord Mitigation Subaccount and on the status of various activities funded by the moneys. [2019 c.531 § 1; 2022 c.33 § 28]

The amendments to 496.252 by section 66, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022, become operative only if certain conditions are met. See sections 54 and 61 to 64, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022 (note preceding 496.257). 496.252, as amended by section 66, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022, is set forth for the user’s convenience.

(1) The Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund is established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund shall be credited to the fund.

(2) Moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to carry out activities that serve to protect, maintain or enhance fish and wildlife resources in Oregon. The activities for which the department may expend fund moneys include, but are not limited to:

(a) Promoting the health of Oregon’s ecosystems and fish and wildlife species by implementing conservation programs and strategies identified in the Oregon Conservation Strategy, as defined in ORS § 541.890, including conservation programs and strategies for the nearshore identified in the marine component of the Oregon Conservation Strategy;

(b) Improving engagement of the public in hunting and fishing opportunities and in other outdoor recreation opportunities related to and in support of healthy fish, wildlife and habitats;

(c) Improving educational outreach and engagement of the public, including diverse and underserved communities, related to and in support of healthy fish, wildlife and habitats;

(d) Engaging in, and providing funding for, joint projects of the department and the State Parks and Recreation Department or other state agencies as recommended by the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Advisory Committee established under ORS § 496.254; and

(e) Other conservation, management, research, habitat improvement, enforcement, outdoor recreation or education activities.

(3) The fund shall consist of:

(a) Moneys appropriated to the State Department of Fish and Wildlife for deposit in the fund or otherwise transferred to the fund; and

(b) Gifts, grants, contributions or other donations for use as described in subsection (2) of this section, that are received by the department from any public or private source and caused to be deposited and credited to the fund.

(4) The department and the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Advisory Committee shall jointly submit a biennial report to the Legislative Assembly as provided in ORS § 293.640 regarding the expenditure of moneys deposited in the fund and on the status of various activities funded by the moneys.

496.252 and 496.254 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS Chapter 496 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.