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OWEB: program will pause new easement work; $152,000 remains dedicated to grants
Summary
Commissioners were told May 14 the Oregon Ag Heritage Program will pause new conservation easement work until further funding is available; staff clarified the roughly $152,000 remaining in program accounts is dedicated to grants and cannot be used for interim staffing.
OWEB staff told the Oregon Ag Heritage Commission on May 14 that the Oregon Ag Heritage Program will pause new conservation easement work until additional funding is available.
Renee Davis, acquisitions and special programs manager, said the program will continue to administer existing open grants, but new work on the easement side is on hold. Commissioner Jan Lee asked whether the roughly $152,000 remaining in the program could be used to support interim staffing. Davis responded that the funds are dedicated to grants and are not available for staffing.
Staff said the pause does not end the program: they emphasized maintaining the tools, including the newly adopted rubric, so the program can be revitalized quickly if funding returns. Agency leadership also said they will pursue advocacy channels and monitor the governor’s budget process and legislative opportunities next year.
