OWEB board adopts $11.1 million mid‑biennium rebalance to boost land and restoration grants

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board voted July 28 to revise its 2025–27 grant spending plan, adding $11,120,048 and bringing the biennial grant plan to $164,789,085.

The board approved the rebalancing after staff presented a phased approach that preserves a five‑percent holdback for revenue variability while directing an additional $3.7 million to open solicitation programs and about $6.4 million to the land‑and‑water acquisition bucket. Miriam Sherrer, OWEB’s fiscal officer, told the board the adjustment reflects updated lottery revenue forecasts and recaptured funds while intentionally keeping room for a pending Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) award expected this fall.

“We don’t want to overcommit in a year where a federal award is still pending,” Sherrer said, describing the agency’s decision to reduce its original unallocated percentage from 9.2% to 5% while still moving funds into high‑demand program buckets.

Board members who had raised concerns about program demand and effective use of funds welcomed the phased approach. Mark Labhart (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) said the additional investment in land and water acquisitions will help meet growing project demand and stressed the need to build local capacity to spend funds efficiently. Several board members urged boosting engagement funding — which supports early project development and community outreach — to ensure a pipeline of shovel‑ready projects for future cycles.

Staff said the rebalanced plan allows OWEB to run the next grant cycle on schedule while reserving capacity to add any PCSRF funding once it is confirmed. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote.