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Oregon Department of Forestry briefs subcommittee on landscape‑resiliency program, funding and results
Summary
The Oregon Department of Forestry told the Joint Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee that the Landscape Resiliency Program has treated about 245,000 acres with roughly $30 million invested over the last two biennia and outlined priorities, third‑party scoring and new recurring revenue streams from House Bill 3940.
Josh Bernard, Forest Resources Division Chief at the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), and Jenna Nelson, state initiatives grant coordinator, gave an informational briefing on the Landscape Resiliency Program on Feb. 2.
Bernard and Nelson described the program as Oregon's primary all‑lands investment to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk under the 20‑year strategy created by Senate Bill 762. "We implement the federal authorization of Good Neighbor Authority and partner with federal land managers to complete resiliency work on federally owned lands," Bernard said, describing fuel mitigation, thinning, prescribed burning and post‑fire restoration projects.
Jenna Nelson provided program results and demand context: "In the last 2 biennium, we've spent $30,000,000 that had been invested into this program by the legislature, and with that funding, we've treated 245,000 acres in Oregon." She said the program uses a third‑party scoring process to prioritize project‑ready applications and highlighted projects that improved watershed health, reduced fire intensity and supported tribal partnerships.
The presentation reviewed recent and ongoing funding. ODF said the program previously received $20,000,000 in one‑time general fund in the 2023 biennium and $10,000,000 in the next; following the last legislative session the program received $7,000,000 one‑time general fund and $7,000,000 in other fund authorization for this biennium. House Bill 3940 established two dedicated revenue streams intended to provide recurring funding; ODF reported an initial rainy‑day interest deposit and said rural nicotine tax revenues had begun accruing but a deposit had not yet been received.
Committee members asked how the program tailors work across Oregon's diverse ecosystems and how tribal partnerships are incorporated. Jenna Nelson said districts assemble local partnerships to create tailored applications and that tribal projects have been built in collaboration with sovereign nations and local district staff. On prioritization she said projects are scored by a committee to identify the best outcomes per funding and that applicants compete through the advertised solicitation.
Members thanked the agency for the briefing. Co Chair Levy closed the informational meeting and the subcommittee moved to adjourn.
