Federal data is complete from 1998-2017. State and local data is complete from 1998-2017. In the tables and charts below, acres are allocated to each program proportionate to the size of the contributions to each acquisition. For example, if an acquisition had two contributions, and each program contributed equal dollar amounts, each program receives 50% of the acres. If you have questions or want to provide updated information, please contact Jessica Welch at jessica.welch@tpl.org.
Profile of State Program(s)
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: A state agency led by a policy oversight board, the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board offers grants and technical assistance to restore salmon runs, improve water quality, and strengthen ecosystems that are critical to healthy watersheds and sustainable communities. The Board began in 2000 and administers a grant program that awards more than $20 million annually to support voluntary efforts by Oregonians seeking to create and maintain healthy watersheds. Grants from the Board require at least 25 percent match funding. Funding for programs comes from Oregon Lottery revenues and other sources including salmon license plate revenues, federal salmon funds, and funds that come from the purchase of “salmon-friendly” hydroelectric power.
Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department: The Oregon Park and Recreation Department acquires land for state parks using Measure 66 Lottery Proceeds.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife acquires land for its State Wildlife Management Areas. The department is not actively acquiring land, but has used internal funds, donations and license revenue to support land acquisitions in the past.
Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program: The Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program (OAHP) was established in September 2017 by the State Legislature. Funding for the program was not appropriated at that time. OAHP was developed by a collaborative of landowners, conservation and agricultural organizations and agencies, and tribal governments. The program helps landowners maintain working farms and ranches and provides voluntary incentives for conservation to enhance and protect the valuable natural resources, fish and wildlife that these lands support. Funds can be used to assist landowners with succession planning; offer permanent conservation easements, term conservation covenants, and conservation management plans to protect working farms and ranches; conduct a study on the implications of Oregon’s tax structure on succession planning and a landowner’s ability to transfer lands to future generations; and allow the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) to charge administrative expenses. Awards are required to have a matching contribution from other program funds or other investments.
The program created the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Fund to provide a source of revenue to implement these voluntary incentives and services and the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Commission to oversee the program and its investments. The 12-member commission is made up of one tribal representative, an expert in conservation easements/other land transactions appointed by the Land Conservation and Development Commission, an OSU Extension representative and an OWEB board member to serve as an ex-officio liaison to the commission. Other members are required to have specific expertise in farming, ranching and natural resources, specifically relating to fish, wildlife, and agricultural water quality.
Substantial State Investment
By passing Measure 66 in 1998, Oregon has committed 15 percent of net lottery proceeds to a Parks and Natural Resources Fund, half for state parks, beaches, historic sites and recreation areas, and half for restoration and protection of natural resources, including fish and wildlife habitat and protection of watersheds (OWEB). Sixty five percent of OWEB’s portion must be utilized for capital expenditures. It was estimated that $46.2 million would be generated through these lottery proceeds annually and directed to a parks and natural resources fund until 2014. Prior to Measure 66, all lottery profits were allocated to K-12 schools and economic development.
In November 2010, voters supported to extend lottery funding for land conservation by passing Measure 76 with 69 percent approval. Funding would have ended after 2014 unless voters approved continuation beyond that date. The proposed measure continues 15 percent funding, to be split half for state parks and half for restoration and protection of natural resources, beyond 2014.
State Incentive for Local Conservation Funding
Grants from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board require at least 25 percent match funding. Funding for programs comes from Oregon Lottery revenues and other sources including salmon license plate revenues, federal salmon funds, and funds that come from the purchase of “salmon-friendly” power.
Local Financing Enabled
The property tax and general obligation bonds are the principal local revenue sources that could be permitted for conservation purposes in Oregon. Counties and municipalities are authorized to acquire land and easements for purposes including parks, trails, watershed protection, floodplain management, farmland, and cultural and historic preservation. Each of these mechanisms requires different authorization. In Oregon, municipalities rather than counties have largely undertaken conservation finance ballot measures. Most of these measures are bonds.
Local Programs Included
Local conservation programs include:
- Bend Park and Recreation District, OR
- Eugene, OR
- Metro Portland, OR
- Tigard, OR
- Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District, OR
- Willamalane Park and Recreation District, OR
Visit www.landvote.org for detailed information on these programs.
Federal Partnerships
Federal agencies and programs that have conserved land in Oregon include:
- Bonneville Power Administration
- U.S. Bureau of Land Management
- U.S. Bureau of Land Management – Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act
- U.S. Department of Defense – Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Migratory Bird Conservation Fund (MBCF)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA)
- U.S. Forest Service
- U.S. Forest Service – Forest Legacy Program (FLP)
- U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP)
- U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service – Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP)
- U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service – Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)