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Commissioners debate whether to opt into state'level Eastern Oregon solar siting rules; staff to return with targeted analysis
Summary
The board discussed three options for implementing new state solar-siting rules for EFU and forest lands (do nothing/opt in, opt out, or pursue a customized program) and asked staff to return with parcel-level scenarios and maps before making a final choice.
The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners reviewed new state rules for siting large photovoltaic facilities in Eastern Oregon and discussed three implementation options for county lands: do nothing (automatically opt in on Jan. 1, 2026), opt out to retain existing local review rules, or temporarily opt out while the county develops a customized program under Goal 5.
Tanya Salzman, senior planner, summarized the state rulemaking adopted by LCDC on June 26, 2025. She said the new land-use pathway would allow larger solar installations on EFU and some forest lands (with higher acreage thresholds than the county's existing rules), but would exclude specific resource areas such as sage-grouse habitat, priority wildlife corridors, the Metolius Area of Critical State Concern and EFU land with preexisting water rights as of…
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