ORS 477.748 Small forestland grant program

As used in this section, “small forestland owner” means an individual, group, federally recognized Indian tribe in Oregon or association that owns:

Up to 160 acres of nonindustrial private forestland west of the crest of the Cascade Mountains; or

Up to 640 acres of nonindustrial private forestland east of the crest of the Cascade Mountains.

The State Forestry Department shall establish a small forestland grant program for the purpose of providing grants, on a competitive basis, to support small forestland owners in reducing wildfire risk through the restoration of landscape resiliency and the reduction of hazardous fuels on the owners’ property.

In consultation with partners and stakeholders, the department shall set criteria for assessing grant applications and awarding grants. The criteria may include, but need not be limited to:

Owner commitment to maintaining fuel reduction treatments.

Owner possession of a forest management plan.

Project proximity to current or past fuel mitigation efforts, supported by any owner or funding source, that would contribute to cross-boundary, landscape-scale forest resiliency.

Whether the project addresses additional resource concerns, such as insect and disease management.

Whether critical facilities and infrastructure may receive enhanced protection due to project outcomes.