Representative proposes short-term lease for Ochoco National Forest; committee hears sharp differences over transfer of federal lands

Representative Vicki Breeze Iverson opened public testimony on House Bill 3846, a pilot measure authorizing the Oregon Department of Forestry to enter into a lease agreement with the U.S. Forest Service or another federal agency to assume management authority and responsibility for the Ochoco National Forest for a period of no less than 15 years.

Representative Breeze Iverson, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the measure is “a policy equivalent to dipping our toes into the shallow end of the pool,” and described a pilot lease as a way to showcase state management and to address perceived federal mismanagement that has led to heavy fuel loads and large fires. She said the terms of a lease could include negotiated revenue back to state and local governments to pay for additional manpower and management.

Supporters argued the bill would allow more active forest management, reduce wildfire risk, and provide local revenue and control. Representative Osborne and others said proper management could lead to revenue that offsets firefighting costs and highlighted opportunities such as grazing and recreation to diversify revenue beyond timber.

Opponents, including Fiona Noonan of Central Oregon Land Watch, urged the committee not to pass the bill. Noonan said national forests “belong to all Americans” and warned that leasing federal land to a timber-focused state agency risked prioritizing extraction over other public values such as wildlife protection, recreation, clean water, and climate resilience. Noonan argued the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) lacks capacity and funding to manage an additional 845,000 acres and that the expansion could degrade public input and protections.

Committee members raised multiple questions: Representative Grama asked whether similar transfers had happened elsewhere; Representative Murrah suggested a study to analyze jurisdictional conflicts and tribal consultation requirements; Representative Owens asked whether wilderness designations and congressional restrictions would be affected by a lease. Representative Helm urged cautious guardrails, asking for legislative checks so ODF would not enter leases without returning to the Legislature.

Sponsor Breeze Iverson said the bill intentionally is short and narrow to start a conversation and to pursue federal engagement; she said tribal consultation for Ochoco was not necessary because the sponsor’s district context does not include an adjacent tribal jurisdiction, but acknowledged tribes would be at the table if the pilot expanded.

No formal action was taken; Chair Lively said the committee will schedule informational briefings with the Department of Forestry and other agencies and urged further discussion outside the immediate deadline pressures of the session.

Why it matters: the bill proposes a significant jurisdictional shift over federal lands and raises questions about capacity, tribal consultation, decommissioning, revenue sharing, and public involvement.

Next steps: committee staff will arrange informational briefings; the bill was not moved forward during the April 3 meeting.