County approves $200,000 intergovernmental agreement with Oregon Department of Forestry to fund patrols in Santiam State Forest

The Marion County Board of Commissioners on April 16 approved an incoming-funds intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) to provide $200,000 in overtime funds to support patrols of the Santiam State Forest and adjacent state forest lands.

Jason Bernards, enforcement division commander for the Marion County Sheriff's Office, told the board the five-year agreement runs July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030, and is intended to increase law-enforcement presence to improve safety for workers and recreational users in state forest areas. Bernards said Marion County has held a similar agreement with ODF since January 2020.

A commissioner asked whether the overtime funds and the agreement allow deputies to work on U.S. Forest Service (national forest) lands to address issues such as unauthorized or extended camping. Bernards replied, "I don't think in the national forest lands, no. I think this is specific to state forest lands is my understanding." The board discussed whether to pursue additional agreements to cover national forest lands and noted Deschutes County's recent experience with wildfire risk tied to unauthorized camping.

The board voted to approve the incoming-funds agreement; the motion passed by voice vote. The IGA will fund overtime patrols paid for by ODF and carried out by Marion County deputies on state forest property; the agreement does not, according to the sheriff's office, extend to U.S. Forest Service lands unless a separate interagency arrangement is reached.

The board record shows the agreement amount ($200,000) and term; staff noted the funds are earmarked for overtime patrol services rather than a capital or operating subsidy.