ORS § 526.275 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.275
526.275 Policy regarding Good Neighbor Authority Agreement projects
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section:

(a) “Additive” means an increase in the pace, scale and quality of forest, rangeland and water restoration services on federal lands within Oregon, including but not limited to services to produce timber harvest volumes that exceed outputs that would be produced by federal land management agencies alone.

(b) “Federal land management agencies” means the United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management.

(c) “Forest, rangeland and water restoration services” means activities that:

(A) Treat insect-infested or disease-infected trees;

(B) Reduce hazardous fuels; or

(C) Restore or improve forest, rangeland or watershed health, including but not limited to fish or wildlife habitat health.

(d) “Good Neighbor Authority Agreement” means the Good Neighbor Authority Agreement that the Governor, the State Forester and the State Fish and Wildlife Director entered into with the United States Forest Service on March 29, 2016.

(2) It is the policy of the state to pursue projects under the Good Neighbor Authority Agreement that increase timber harvest volume, contribute to job creation, reduce wildfire risks to all lands, improve wildlife habitat and watershed health and stimulate local economies. To the extent allowed by the agreement, state agencies that are signatories to the agreement shall work with federal land management agencies to give priority to projects that:

(a) Consist of additive activities;

(b) Maximize economic benefit to this state; and

(c) Recover the state agency costs of implementing the projects. [2018 c.96 §1]

Note: 526.275 (Policy regarding Good Neighbor Authority Agreement projects) was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 526 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 526.275 — Policy regarding Good Neighbor Authority Agreement projects , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.105 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.105
526.105 Disposition of receipts under ORS 526.090 and 526.095
Status: in_force

All moneys received pursuant to the Acts of Congress mentioned in ORS 526.090 (Acceptance and use of moneys under Agricultural Act of 1956 (soil bank and reforestation provisions)) and 526.095 (Clarke-McNary Act accepted) shall be paid into the State Treasury, credited to the State Forestry Department Account, and used exclusively for the purposes of the respective Acts. [1965 c.253 §17]

Source: Section 526.105 — Disposition of receipts under ORS 526.090 and 526.095 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.620 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.620
527.620 Definitions for ORS 527.610 to 527.770
Status: in_force

As used in ORS 527.610 (Short title) to 527.770 (Good faith compliance with best management practices not violation of water quality standards) , 527.990 (Criminal penalties) and 527.992 (Civil penalties) :

(1) “Aquatic resource” means:

(a) A species addressed in the Private Forest Accord Report dated February 2, 2022, and published by the State Forestry Department on February 7, 2022, and the resources on which the species relies; or

(b) If a habitat conservation plan consistent with the Private Forest Accord Report has been approved, a species addressed in the habitat conservation plan and the resources on which the species relies.

(2) “Board” means the State Board of Forestry.

(3) “Cumulative effects” means the impact on the environment which results from the incremental impact of the forest practice when added to other past, present and reasonably foreseeable future forest practices regardless of what governmental agency or person undertakes such other actions.

(4) “DBH” means the diameter at breast height which is measured as the width of a standing tree at four and one-half feet above the ground, on the uphill side.

(5) “Edge of the roadway” means:

(a) For interstate highways, the fence.

(b) For all other state highways, the outermost edge of pavement, or if unpaved, the edge of the shoulder.

(6) “Forest practice” means any operation conducted on or pertaining to forestland, including but not limited to:

(a) Reforestation of forestland;

(b) Road construction and maintenance;

(c) Harvesting of forest tree species;

(d) Application of chemicals;

(e) Disposal of slash; and

(f) Removal of woody biomass.

(7) “Forest tree species” means any tree species capable of producing logs, fiber or other wood materials suitable for the production of lumber, sheeting, pulp, firewood or other commercial forest products except trees grown to be Christmas trees as defined in ORS 571.505 (Definitions for ORS 571.510 to 571.580) on land used solely for the production of Christmas trees.

(8) “Forestland” means land that is used for the growing and harvesting of forest tree species, regardless of how the land is zoned or taxed or how any state or local statutes, ordinances, rules or regulations are applied.

(9) “Harvest type 1” means an operation that requires reforestation but does not require wildlife leave trees. A harvest type 1 is an operation that leaves a combined stocking level of free to grow seedlings, saplings, poles and larger trees that is less than the stocking level established by rule of the board that represents adequate utilization of the productivity of the site.

(10) “Harvest type 2” means an operation that requires wildlife leave trees but does not require reforestation. A harvest type 2 does not require reforestation because it has an adequate combined stocking of free to grow seedlings, saplings, poles and larger trees, but leaves:

(a) On Cubic Foot Site Class I, II or III, fewer than 50 11-inch DBH trees or less than an equivalent basal area in larger trees, per acre;

(b) On Cubic Foot Site Class IV or V, fewer than 30 11-inch DBH trees or less than an equivalent basal area in larger trees, per acre; or

(c) On Cubic Foot Site Class VI, fewer than 15 11-inch DBH trees or less than an equivalent basal area in larger trees, per acre.

(11) “Harvest type 3” means an operation that requires reforestation and requires wildlife leave trees. This represents a level of stocking below which the size of operations is limited under ORS 527.740 (Harvest type 3 limitations) and 527.750 (Exceeding harvest type 3 size limitation) .

(12) “Landowner” means any individual, combination of individuals, partnership, corporation or association of whatever nature that holds an ownership interest in forestland, including the state and any political subdivision thereof.

(13) “Operation” means any commercial activity relating to the establishment, management or harvest of forest tree species except as provided by the following:

(a) The establishment, management or harvest of Christmas trees, as defined in ORS 571.505 (Definitions for ORS 571.510 to 571.580) , on land used solely for the production of Christmas trees.

(b) The establishment, management or harvest of hardwood timber, including but not limited to hybrid cottonwood, that is:

(A) Grown on land that has been prepared by intensive cultivation methods and that is cleared of competing vegetation for at least three years after tree planting;

(B) Of a species marketable as fiber for inclusion in the furnish for manufacturing paper products;

(C) Harvested on a rotation cycle that is 12 or fewer years after planting; and

(D) Subject to intensive agricultural practices such as fertilization, cultivation, irrigation, insect control and disease control.

(c) The establishment, management or harvest of trees actively farmed or cultured for the production of agricultural tree crops, including nuts, fruits, seeds and nursery stock.

(d) The establishment, management or harvest of ornamental, street or park trees within an urbanized area, as that term is defined in ORS 221.010 (Definitions for ORS 221.020 to 221.100) .

(e) The management or harvest of juniper species conducted in a unit of less than 120 contiguous acres within a single ownership.

(f) The establishment or management of trees intended to mitigate the effects of agricultural practices on the environment or fish and wildlife resources, such as trees that are established or managed for windbreaks, riparian filters or shade strips immediately adjacent to actively farmed lands.

(g) The development of an approved land use change after timber harvest activities have been completed and land use conversion activities have commenced.

(14) “Operator” means any person, including a landowner or timber owner, who conducts an operation.

(15) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) “Significant violation” means:

(A) Violation of ORS 527.670 (Commencement of operations) (6) by engaging in an operation without filing the requisite notification;

(B) Continued operation in contravention of an order issued by the State Forester under ORS 527.680 (Violation by operator) (2)(a), (3) or (5); or

(C) A violation resulting in major damage to a resource described in ORS 527.710 (Duties and powers of board) (2) for which restoration is expected to take more than 10 years.

(b) “Significant violation” does not include:

(A) Unintentional operation in an area outside an operating area of an operation for which sufficient notification was filed pursuant to ORS 527.670 (Commencement of operations) (6);

(B) Continued operation in contravention of an order issued by the State Forester under ORS 527.680 (Violation by operator) (2)(a), (3) or (5), where an operator, timber owner or landowner demonstrates that it did not receive the order; or

(C) Failure to timely notify the State Forester of an intent to continue an operation into the next calendar year.

(16) “Single ownership” means ownership by an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, holding company or other business entity, including the state or any political subdivision thereof. Single ownership includes ownership held under different names or titles where the same individual or individuals, or their heirs or assigns, are shareholders (other than those of public corporations whose stock is traded on the open market), partners, business trustees or officers, or otherwise have an interest in or are associated with each property.

(17) “State Forester” means the State Forester or the duly authorized representative of the State Forester.

(18) “Suitable hardwood seedlings” means any hardwood seedling that will eventually yield logs or fiber, or both, sufficient in size and quality for the production of lumber, plywood, pulp or other forest products.

(19) “Timber owner” means any individual, combination of individuals, partnership, corporation or association of whatever nature, other than a landowner, that holds an ownership interest in any forest tree species on forestland.

(20) “Visually sensitive corridor” means forestland extending outward 150 feet, measured on the slope, from the outermost edge of the roadway of a scenic highway referred to in ORS 527.755 (Scenic highways) , along both sides for the full length of the highway.

(21) “Wildlife leave trees” means trees or snags required to be retained as described in ORS 527.676 (Leaving snags and downed logs in harvest type 2 or 3 units) (1).

(22) “Written plan” means a document prepared by an operator, timber owner or landowner that describes how the operation is planned to be conducted. [1971 c.316 §3; 1987 c.919 §9; 1991 c.547 §1; 1991 c.634 §3; 1991 c.919 §1; 1995 s.s. c.3 §39; 1996 c.9 §2; 1999 c.59 §166; 2001 c.451 §1; 2003 c.740 §2; 2011 c.276 §6; 2022 c.33 §40]

Note: The amendments to 527.620 (Definitions for ORS 527.610 to 527.770) by section 68, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022, become operative only if certain conditions are met. See sections 54 and 61 to 64, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022 (third note following 527.711 (Private Forest Accord rule package) ). 527.620 (Definitions for ORS 527.610 to 527.770) , as amended by section 68, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022, is set forth for the user’s convenience.

527.620 (Definitions for ORS 527.610 to 527.770) . As used in ORS 527.610 (Short title) to 527.770 (Good faith compliance with best management practices not violation of water quality standards) , 527.990 (Criminal penalties) and 527.992 (Civil penalties) :

(1) “Board” means the State Board of Forestry.

(2) “Cumulative effects” means the impact on the environment which results from the incremental impact of the forest practice when added to other past, present and reasonably foreseeable future forest practices regardless of what governmental agency or person undertakes such other actions.

(3) “DBH” means the diameter at breast height which is measured as the width of a standing tree at four and one-half feet above the ground, on the uphill side.

(4) “Edge of the roadway” means:

(a) For interstate highways, the fence.

(b) For all other state highways, the outermost edge of pavement, or if unpaved, the edge of the shoulder.

(5) “Forest practice” means any operation conducted on or pertaining to forestland, including but not limited to:

(a) Reforestation of forestland;

(b) Road construction and maintenance;

(c) Harvesting of forest tree species;

(d) Application of chemicals;

(e) Disposal of slash; and

(f) Removal of woody biomass.

(6) “Forest tree species” means any tree species capable of producing logs, fiber or other wood materials suitable for the production of lumber, sheeting, pulp, firewood or other commercial forest products except trees grown to be Christmas trees as defined in ORS 571.505 (Definitions for ORS 571.510 to 571.580) on land used solely for the production of Christmas trees.

(7) “Forestland” means land that is used for the growing and harvesting of forest tree species, regardless of how the land is zoned or taxed or how any state or local statutes, ordinances, rules or regulations are applied.

(8) “Harvest type 1” means an operation that requires reforestation but does not require wildlife leave trees. A harvest type 1 is an operation that leaves a combined stocking level of free to grow seedlings, saplings, poles and larger trees that is less than the stocking level established by rule of the board that represents adequate utilization of the productivity of the site.

(9) “Harvest type 2” means an operation that requires wildlife leave trees but does not require reforestation. A harvest type 2 does not require reforestation because it has an adequate combined stocking of free to grow seedlings, saplings, poles and larger trees, but leaves:

(a) On Cubic Foot Site Class I, II or III, fewer than 50 11-inch DBH trees or less than an equivalent basal area in larger trees, per acre;

(b) On Cubic Foot Site Class IV or V, fewer than 30 11-inch DBH trees or less than an equivalent basal area in larger trees, per acre; or

(c) On Cubic Foot Site Class VI, fewer than 15 11-inch DBH trees or less than an equivalent basal area in larger trees, per acre.

(10) “Harvest type 3” means an operation that requires reforestation and requires wildlife leave trees. This represents a level of stocking below which the size of operations is limited under ORS 527.740 (Harvest type 3 limitations) and 527.750 (Exceeding harvest type 3 size limitation) .

(11) “Landowner” means any individual, combination of individuals, partnership, corporation or association of whatever nature that holds an ownership interest in forestland, including the state and any political subdivision thereof.

(12) “Operation” means any commercial activity relating to the establishment, management or harvest of forest tree species except as provided by the following:

(a) The establishment, management or harvest of Christmas trees, as defined in ORS 571.505 (Definitions for ORS 571.510 to 571.580) , on land used solely for the production of Christmas trees.

(b) The establishment, management or harvest of hardwood timber, including but not limited to hybrid cottonwood, that is:

(A) Grown on land that has been prepared by intensive cultivation methods and that is cleared of competing vegetation for at least three years after tree planting;

(B) Of a species marketable as fiber for inclusion in the furnish for manufacturing paper products;

(C) Harvested on a rotation cycle that is 12 or fewer years after planting; and

(D) Subject to intensive agricultural practices such as fertilization, cultivation, irrigation, insect control and disease control.

(c) The establishment, management or harvest of trees actively farmed or cultured for the production of agricultural tree crops, including nuts, fruits, seeds and nursery stock.

(d) The establishment, management or harvest of ornamental, street or park trees within an urbanized area, as that term is defined in ORS 221.010 (Definitions for ORS 221.020 to 221.100) .

(e) The management or harvest of juniper species conducted in a unit of less than 120 contiguous acres within a single ownership.

(f) The establishment or management of trees intended to mitigate the effects of agricultural practices on the environment or fish and wildlife resources, such as trees that are established or managed for windbreaks, riparian filters or shade strips immediately adjacent to actively farmed lands.

(g) The development of an approved land use change after timber harvest activities have been completed and land use conversion activities have commenced.

(13) “Operator” means any person, including a landowner or timber owner, who conducts an operation.

(14) “Single ownership” means ownership by an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, holding company or other business entity, including the state or any political subdivision thereof. Single ownership includes ownership held under different names or titles where the same individual or individuals, or their heirs or assigns, are shareholders (other than those of public corporations whose stock is traded on the open market), partners, business trustees or officers, or otherwise have an interest in or are associated with each property.

(15) “State Forester” means the State Forester or the duly authorized representative of the State Forester.

(16) “Suitable hardwood seedlings” means any hardwood seedling that will eventually yield logs or fiber, or both, sufficient in size and quality for the production of lumber, plywood, pulp or other forest products.

(17) “Timber owner” means any individual, combination of individuals, partnership, corporation or association of whatever nature, other than a landowner, that holds an ownership interest in any forest tree species on forestland.

(18) “Visually sensitive corridor” means forestland extending outward 150 feet, measured on the slope, from the outermost edge of the roadway of a scenic highway referred to in ORS 527.755 (Scenic highways) , along both sides for the full length of the highway.

(19) “Wildlife leave trees” means trees or snags required to be retained as described in ORS 527.676 (Leaving snags and downed logs in harvest type 2 or 3 units) (1).

(20) “Written plan” means a document prepared by an operator, timber owner or landowner that describes how the operation is planned to be conducted.

Source: Section 527.620 — Definitions for ORS 527.610 to 527.770 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.710 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.710
527.710 Duties and powers of board
Status: repealed

(1) In carrying out the purposes of ORS 527.610 (Short title) to 527.770 (Good faith compliance with best management practices not violation of water quality standards) , 527.990 (Criminal penalties) (1) and 527.992 (Civil penalties) , the State Board of Forestry shall adopt, in accordance with applicable provisions of ORS chapter 183, rules to be administered by the State Forester establishing standards for forest practices in each region or subregion.

(2) The rules shall ensure the continuous growing and harvesting of forest tree species. Consistent with ORS 527.630 (Policy) , the rules shall provide for the overall maintenance of the following resources:

(a) Air quality;

(b) Water resources, including but not limited to sources of domestic drinking water;

(c) Soil productivity; and

(d) Fish and wildlife.

(3) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) In addition to its rulemaking responsibilities under subsection (2) of this section, the board shall collect and analyze the best available information and establish inventories of the following resource sites needing protection:

(A) Threatened and endangered fish and wildlife species identified on lists that are adopted, by rule, by the State Fish and Wildlife Commission or are federally listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amended;

(B) Sensitive bird nesting, roosting and watering sites;

(C) Biological sites that are ecologically and scientifically significant; and

(D) Significant wetlands.

(b) The board shall determine whether forest practices would conflict with resource sites in the inventories required by paragraph (a) of this subsection. If the board determines that one or more forest practices would conflict with resource sites in the inventory, the board shall consider the consequences of the conflicting uses and determine appropriate levels of protection.

(c) Based upon the analysis required by paragraph (b) of this subsection, and consistent with the policies of ORS 527.630 (Policy) , the board shall adopt rules appropriate to protect resource sites in the inventories required by paragraph (a) of this subsection.

(4) Before adopting rules under subsection (1) of this section, the board shall consult with other agencies of this state or any of its political subdivisions that have functions with respect to the purposes specified in ORS 527.630 (Policy) or programs affected by forest operations. Agencies and programs subject to consultation under this subsection include, but are not limited to:

(a) Air and water pollution programs administered by the Department of Environmental Quality under ORS chapters 468A and 468B and ORS 477.013 (Smoke management plan) and 477.515 (Permits required for fires on forestlands) to 477.532 (Regional air quality authority’s functions limited) ;

(b) Mining operation programs administered by the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries under ORS 516.010 (Definitions) to 516.130 (Duties of State Geologist) and ORS chapter 517;

(c) Game fish and wildlife, commercial fishing, licensing and wildlife and bird refuge tax incentive programs administered by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife under ORS 272.060 (Federal migratory bird refuges) and ORS chapters 496, 498, 501, 506 and 509;

(d) Park land, Willamette River Greenway, scenic waterway and recreation trail programs administered by the State Parks and Recreation Department under ORS 358.480 (Definitions for ORS 358.480 to 358.545) to 358.545 (Rules) , 390.310 (Definitions for ORS 390.310 to 390.368) to 390.368 (Authority to contract landscaping and repair of damage to lands subject to scenic easement) , 390.805 (Definitions for ORS 390.805 to 390.925) to 390.925 (Enforcement) , 390.950 (Short title) to 390.989 (Eminent domain does not apply to department powers or duties under ORS 390.950 to 390.989) and 390.121 (Powers of commission) ;

(e) The programs administered by the Columbia River Gorge Commission under Public Law 99-663 and ORS 196.110 (Land use regulation in Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area) and 196.150 (Compact provisions) ;

(f) Removal and fill programs administered by the Department of State Lands under ORS 196.800 (Definitions for ORS 196.600 to 196.921) to 196.900 (Schedule of civil penalties) ;

(g) Federal Safe Drinking Water Act programs administered by the Oregon Health Authority under ORS 448.273 (Federal Safe Drinking Water Act administration) to 448.990 (Penalties for violations of pool facility or water system requirements) ;

(h) Conservation and conservation tax incentive programs administered by the State Parks and Recreation Department under ORS 273.563 (Definitions for ORS 273.563 to 273.591) to 273.591 (Natural Areas Program Account) ;

(i) Open space land tax incentive programs administered by cities and counties under ORS 308A.300 (Definitions for ORS 308A.300 to 308A.330) to 308A.330 (Rules) ;

(j) Water resources programs administered by the Water Resources Department under ORS 536.220 (Policy on water resources generally) to 536.540 (Approval of voucher claims) ; and

(k) Pesticide control programs administered by the State Department of Agriculture under ORS chapter 634.

(5) In carrying out the provisions of subsection (4) of this section, the board shall consider and accommodate the rules and programs of other agencies to the extent deemed by the board to be appropriate and consistent with the purposes of ORS 527.630 (Policy) .

(6) The board shall adopt rules to meet the purposes of another agency’s regulatory program where it is the intent of the board to administer the other agency’s program on forestland and where the other agency concurs by rule. An operation performed in compliance with the board’s rules shall be deemed to comply with the other agency’s program.

(7) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) The board may enter into cooperative agreements or contracts necessary in carrying out the purposes specified in ORS 527.630 (Policy) .

(b) The State Forestry Department shall enter into agreements with appropriate state agencies for joint monitoring of the effectiveness of forest practice rules in protecting forest resources and water quality.

(8) If, based upon the study completed pursuant to section 15 (2)(f), chapter 919, Oregon Laws 1991, the board determines that additional rules are necessary to protect forest resources pursuant to ORS 527.630 (Policy) , the board shall adopt forest practice rules that reduce to the degree practicable the adverse impacts of cumulative effects of forest practices on air and water quality, soil productivity, fish and wildlife resources and watersheds. Such rules shall include a process for determining areas where adverse impacts from cumulative effects have occurred or are likely to occur, and may require that a written plan be submitted for harvests in such areas.

(9) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) The State Forester, in cooperation with the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, shall identify streams for which restoration of habitat would be environmentally beneficial. The State Forester shall select as a priority those streams where restoration efforts will provide the greatest benefits to fish and wildlife, and to streambank and streambed stability.

(b) For those streams identified in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the State Forester shall encourage landowners to enter into cooperative agreements with appropriate state agencies for conduct of restoration activities.

(c) The board, in consultation with appropriate state agencies, shall study and identify methods for restoring or enhancing fish and wildlife populations through restoration and rehabilitation of sites beneficial to fish and wildlife.

(d) The board shall adopt rules to implement the findings of this subsection.

(10) In addition to its responsibilities under subsections (1) to (3) of this section, the board shall adopt rules to reduce the risk of serious bodily injury or death caused by a rapidly moving landslide directly related to forest practices. The rules shall consider the exposure of the public to these safety risks and shall include appropriate practices designed to reduce the occurrence, timing or effects of rapidly moving landslides. As used in this subsection, “rapidly moving landslide” has the meaning given that term in ORS 195.250 (Definitions for ORS 195.250 to 195.260) . [1971 c.316 §5; 1987 c.919 §14a; 1989 c.171 §69; 1989 c.904 §38; 1991 c.634 §7; 1991 c.919 §13; 1993 c.18 §126; 1995 c.79 §300; 1997 c.274 §54; 1997 c.413 §2; 1999 c.1103 §12; 2001 c.114 §52; 2001 c.540 §24; 2003 c.14 §342; 2003 c.539 §40; 2003 c.740 §7; 2009 c.217 §13; 2009 c.595 §983; 2011 c.83 §25; 2011 c.319 §21]

Note: Section 6, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022, provides:

Sec. 6. Post-disturbance harvest rulemaking. (1) Pursuant to the authority granted by ORS 527.710 (Duties and powers of board) and subject to the procedures set forth in ORS 527.714 (Types of rules) for rules described in ORS 527.714 (Types of rules) (1)(c), the State Board of Forestry shall initiate rulemaking concerning the post-disturbance harvest of trees that, but for the disturbance, would not be harvested under rules adopted, amended or repealed as part of the rule package described in section 2 of this 2022 Act [ 527.711 (Private Forest Accord rule package) ].

(2) The rulemaking:

(a) Must be completed on or before November 30, 2025.

(b) Is not subject to the requirements of section 39 of this 2022 Act [ 527.734 (Considering reports on rules relating to aquatic resources) ]. [2022 c.33 §6]

Note: Section 7, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022, provides:

Sec. 7. Tethered logging rulemaking. (1) Pursuant to the authority granted by ORS 527.710 (Duties and powers of board) and subject to the procedures set forth in ORS 527.714 (Types of rules) for rules described in ORS 527.714 (Types of rules) (1)(c), not more than three years after the effective date of this 2022 Act [March 17, 2022], the State Board of Forestry shall initiate rulemaking concerning tethered logging.

(2) The board shall prioritize the rulemaking.

(3) The rulemaking is not subject to the requirements of section 39 of this 2022 Act [ 527.734 (Considering reports on rules relating to aquatic resources) ], but as part of the rulemaking, the board may solicit and consider reports that pertain to tethered logging from the Adaptive Management Program Committee and the Independent Research and Science Team described in sections 36 [ 527.732 (Adaptive Management Program Committee) ] and 38 [ 527.733 (Independent Research and Science Team) ] of this 2022 Act. [2022 c.33 §7]

Source: Section 527.710 — Duties and powers of board; rules; inventory for resource protection; consultation with other agencies required , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 530.624 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 530 / Section 530.624
530.624 Assets and income of authority exempt from taxation
Status: in_force

(1) A community forest authority created under ORS 530.606 (Creation of authority) is deemed a municipal corporation performing a public function. An authority, all assets owned by the authority, the income earned by those assets and the interest earned by revenue bonds or other revenue obligations issued by an authority are exempt from taxation in the State of Oregon.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section:

(a) A municipality shall determine the extent to which community forestlands acquired or financed by an authority and located within the boundaries of the municipality are subject to property taxation.

(b) Real and personal property owned by the authority and leased to a third party is subject to property taxation if the property would be subject to taxation if owned by the lessee of the property.

(c) A district, as defined in ORS 198.010 (“District” defined for chapter) or 198.180 (“District” defined for ORS 198.190) , may elect to continue imposing taxes on property within the district that is acquired or financed by an authority and is otherwise exempt from property taxation under this section without regard to the determination of a municipality under paragraph (a) of this subsection.

(3) Revenue bonds issued by an authority are deemed to be securities issued by a political subdivision of the State of Oregon. [2005 c.500 §13]

Note: See note under 530.600 (Definitions for ORS 530.600 to 530.628) .

Source: Section 530.624 — Assets and income of authority exempt from taxation; exceptions , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors530.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.277 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.277
526.277 Findings
Status: in_force

The Legislative Assembly finds and declares that:

(1) Forestlands in federal, state and private ownership comprise some of the most important environmental, economic and recreational resources in the State of Oregon. However, federal lands, and to a lesser extent state and private lands, are increasingly jeopardized by the risk of drought-induced mortality, severe insect and disease outbreaks and catastrophic wildfires.

(2) Enhancing forest health, wildlife habitat and other ecological values and reducing the risk of severe insect and disease outbreaks and catastrophic wildfires through forest management are of interest to the residents of this state. Federal and state funds have not proved sufficient to carry out the management activities necessary to achieve these goals on federal lands, and it is unlikely that the funds will be available on a continuous basis.

(3) The development of new market-based solutions to reduce the risk of severe insect and disease outbreaks and catastrophic wildfires may reduce the requirement for public funding. The development of biomass markets, including energy markets, that use woody biomass unsuitable for lumber, pulp and paper products as a primary source of raw material may assist in the creation of a sustainable, market-based model for restoring complexity and structure to Oregon’s forests.

(4) A biomass-based industry may provide a renewable source of energy, reduce net greenhouse gas emissions, reduce air pollution from wildfires, improve fish and wildlife habitat, create jobs and provide economic benefits to rural communities. Through the collection and conversion of woody biomass, ancillary benefits may be realized through the improvement in forest health, the protection of infrastructure and the stabilization of soils within critical watersheds.

(5) The collection and conversion of woody biomass diminishes fuel loads and is an ecologically and economically sustainable practice where the reintroduction of fire is not appropriate.

(6) The policy of this state is to support efforts to build, and place in service, biomass-fueled energy production facilities that utilize biomass collected from forests or derived from other sources such as agricultural crop residue when:

(a) The facilities utilize sustainable supplies of biomass from cost-effective sources;

(b) The use of woody biomass for energy maintains or enhances the biological productivity of the land, taking into consideration transportation costs, existing forest conditions, management objectives, vegetation growth rates and the need to sustain water quality and fish and wildlife habitat; and

(c) The set of forest values to be sustained, in addition to wood and biomass for energy, is considered. Forest values include forest products, water, wildlife and recreation. [2005 c.772 §3; 2011 c.276 §4]

Note: See note under 526.271 (Findings) .

Source: Section 526.277 — Findings , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 532.130 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 532 / Section 532.130
532.130 Prohibitions generally
Status: in_force

(1) No person, unless permitted to do so under ORS 532.030 (Branding optional east of crest of Cascade Mountains) , shall:

(a) Put into any of the waters of this state or ship on any railroad or motor vehicle any forest products, or use any booming equipment as a part of the operation of the person in securing, rafting or floating forest products, without having plainly impressed or cut in a conspicuous place on each such stick or piece of forest products, and on any piece of booming equipment so used, a mark or brand previously registered as required by the terms of ORS 532.010 (Definitions for ORS 532.010 to 532.140) to 532.140 (Prohibited acts relating to branding or marking if intended to injure or defraud) .

(b) Have or take in tow or into custody or possession or under control of the person, without the authorization of the owner of a registered mark or brand thereon, any forest products or booming equipment having thereupon a mark or brand registered as required by the terms of ORS 532.010 (Definitions for ORS 532.010 to 532.140) to 532.140 (Prohibited acts relating to branding or marking if intended to injure or defraud) or, with or without such authorization, any forest products or booming equipment required to be branded under the terms of ORS 532.010 (Definitions for ORS 532.010 to 532.140) to 532.140 (Prohibited acts relating to branding or marking if intended to injure or defraud) with a registered mark or brand and having no registered mark or brand impressed thereupon or cut therein.

(c) Impress upon or cut in any forest products or booming equipment a mark or brand that is false, forged or counterfeit.

(d) Impress or cut a catch brand that has not been registered under the terms of ORS 532.010 (Definitions for ORS 532.010 to 532.140) to 532.140 (Prohibited acts relating to branding or marking if intended to injure or defraud) upon or into any forest products or booming equipment upon which there is or should be a registered mark or brand as required by the terms of ORS 532.010 (Definitions for ORS 532.010 to 532.140) to 532.140 (Prohibited acts relating to branding or marking if intended to injure or defraud) or a catch brand, whether registered or not, upon any forest products or booming equipment that has not been purchased or lawfully acquired by the person from the owner.

(2) Subsection (1)(b) of this section shall not apply to:

(a) Railroads.

(b) Log patrol or salvage companies organized as corporations for the purpose of catching or reclaiming and holding or disposing of forest products for the benefit of the owners and authorized to do business under the laws of this state.

(3) In the case of a motor vehicle carrying more than three logs, branding of not less than three logs shall be considered compliance with the provisions of subsection (1)(a) of this section. [Amended by 1957 c.668 §21; 1973 c.800 §1; 1975 c.729 §1; 1993 c.47 §2; 1993 c.469 §8]

Source: Section 532.130 — Prohibitions generally , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors532.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.340 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.340
526.340 Classification by State Forester
Status: in_force

(1) The State Forester may identify and classify forestland in a county, consistent with ORS 526.324 (Classification of forestland by committee) and 526.328 (Hearing) , if:

(a) The governing body of a county has failed to establish a forestland classification committee within two years after the State Forester made a request under ORS 526.310 (Forestland classification committees) (1);

(b) A forestland classification committee has failed to adopt and file a final classification pursuant to ORS 526.328 (Hearing) within the five-year period after the date the forestland classification committee was first established; or

(c) A forestland classification committee has failed to act in a manner consistent with ORS 526.310 (Forestland classification committees) , 526.320 (Determination of forestland) , 526.324 (Classification of forestland by committee) and 526.328 (Hearing) .

(2) Classifications by the State Forester have the same force and effect as though made by a forestland classification committee. However, classifications made by the State Forester cease to be effective if replaced by classifications made pursuant to ORS 526.320 (Determination of forestland) , 526.324 (Classification of forestland by committee) and 526.328 (Hearing) . [Amended by 1965 c.253 §40; 1997 c.274 §43; 2009 c.69 §9]

Source: Section 526.340 — Classification by State Forester , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.685 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.685
527.685 Civil penalty considerations
Status: in_force

(1) The State Board of Forestry shall by rule establish the amount of civil penalty that may be imposed for a particular violation. Except as provided in subsections (5) and (6) of this section, a civil penalty may not exceed $10,000 per violation.

(2) In imposing a penalty authorized by this section, the State Forester may consider the following factors:

(a) The past history of the person incurring a penalty in taking all feasible steps or procedures necessary or appropriate to correct any violation.

(b) Any prior violations of statutes, rules, orders and permits pertaining to the Oregon Forest Practices Act.

(c) The gravity and magnitude of the violation.

(d) Whether the violation was repeated or continuous.

(e) Whether the cause of the violation was an unavoidable accident, negligence or an intentional act.

(f) The size and type of ownership of the operation.

(g) Any relevant rule of the board.

(h) The cooperativeness of the person incurring the penalty and the person’s efforts, if any, to correct the violation.

(3) The penalty imposed under this section may be remitted or mitigated upon such terms and conditions as the board determines to be proper and consistent with the public benefit. Upon the request of the person incurring the penalty, the board shall consider evidence of the economic and financial condition of the person in determining whether a penalty shall be remitted or mitigated.

(4) The board, by rule, may delegate to the State Forester, upon such conditions as deemed necessary, all or part of the authority of the board provided in subsection (3) of this section to assess, remit or mitigate civil penalties.

(5) For a violation of ORS 527.745 (Reforestation of certain harvest types) , or rules for reforestation adopted pursuant to ORS 527.745 (Reforestation of certain harvest types) , the State Forester may impose a civil penalty in an amount equal to the estimated cost of reforesting lands pursuant to ORS 527.690 (Failure to comply with order to reforest or repair damage) .

(6) If the State Forester makes a finding that an operator, timber owner or landowner has a history of significant violations that shows a pattern of willful disregard for the requirements of ORS 527.610 (Short title) to 527.770 (Good faith compliance with best management practices not violation of water quality standards) or rules or orders adopted or issued thereunder, the State Forester may impose a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $50,000 per significant violation. In imposing the penalty, the State Forester shall consider, in addition to the factors described in subsection (2) of this section:

(a) The degree, if any, to which the operator, timber owner or landowner derived economic benefit from the significant violation.

(b) The proportion of total operations conducted by the operator, timber owner or landowner related to which significant violations have occurred compared to the total number of operations conducted by the operator, timber owner or landowner, while accounting for the organizational structure of the operator, timber owner or landowner. [1987 c.919 §26; 2007 c.214 §1; 2022 c.33 §46]

Note: The amendments to 527.685 (Civil penalty considerations) by section 71, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022, become operative only if certain conditions are met. See sections 54 and 61 to 64, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022 (third note following 527.711 (Private Forest Accord rule package) ). 527.685 (Civil penalty considerations) , as amended by section 71, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022, is set forth for the user’s convenience.

527.685 (Civil penalty considerations) . (1) The State Board of Forestry shall by rule establish the amount of civil penalty that may be imposed for a particular violation. Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, a civil penalty may not exceed $5,000 per violation.

(2) In imposing a penalty authorized by this section, the State Forester may consider the following factors:

(a) The past history of the person incurring a penalty in taking all feasible steps or procedures necessary or appropriate to correct any violation.

(b) Any prior violations of statutes, rules, orders and permits pertaining to the Oregon Forest Practices Act.

(c) The gravity and magnitude of the violation.

(d) Whether the violation was repeated or continuous.

(e) Whether the cause of the violation was an unavoidable accident, negligence or an intentional act.

(f) The size and type of ownership of the operation.

(g) Any relevant rule of the board.

(h) The cooperativeness of the person incurring the penalty and the person’s efforts, if any, to correct the violation.

(3) The penalty imposed under this section may be remitted or mitigated upon such terms and conditions as the board determines to be proper and consistent with the public benefit. Upon the request of the person incurring the penalty, the board shall consider evidence of the economic and financial condition of the person in determining whether a penalty shall be remitted or mitigated.

(4) The board, by rule, may delegate to the State Forester, upon such conditions as deemed necessary, all or part of the authority of the board provided in subsection (3) of this section to assess, remit or mitigate civil penalties.

(5) For a violation of ORS 527.745 (Reforestation of certain harvest types) , or rules for reforestation adopted pursuant to ORS 527.745 (Reforestation of certain harvest types) , the State Forester may impose a civil penalty in an amount equal to the estimated cost of reforesting lands pursuant to ORS 527.690 (Failure to comply with order to reforest or repair damage) .

Source: Section 527.685 — Civil penalty considerations; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.797 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.797
527.797 Limitations on pesticide applications
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section:

(a) “Department reporting system,” “pesticide” and “water use qualifying for a spray buffer” have the meanings given those terms in ORS 527.786 (Definitions) .

(b) “Flowing water” means surface water is present at the time of a pesticide application.

(c) “Inhabited dwelling” means a structure or part of a structure used as a home, residence or sleeping place by a person maintaining a household or by two or more persons maintaining a common household, but does not include outbuildings, yard areas or other land associated with the structure.

(d) “School” means the campus of:

(A) A Head Start program;

(B) A public or private institution offering instruction for all or part of prekindergarten through grade 12;

(C) The Oregon School for the Deaf;

(D) A regional residential academy operated by the Oregon Youth Authority;

(E) An education service district or community college; or

(F) A public or private college or university.

(e) “Sixth-level hydrologic unit” means the cataloging unit level of the 12-digit hydrologic unit mapping system developed by the Federal Geographic Data Committee.

(f) “Type D stream” means a stream that has domestic use, but does not have fish use.

(g) “Type F stream” means a stream that has fish use or has both domestic use and fish use.

(h) “Type N stream” means a stream that does not have domestic use or fish use.

(2) Notwithstanding ORS 527.672 (Aerial herbicide applications) , a person may not directly apply pesticide by helicopter to forestland:

(a) Less than 300 feet from an inhabited dwelling, unless the landowner is the requester of the application;

(b) Less than 300 feet from a school, unless the school board or other governing body for the school is the requester of the application; or

(c) Subject to subsection (4) of this section, less than 300 feet from a water intake for a water use qualifying for a spray buffer:

(A) Within the same sixth-level hydrologic unit as a water source for water use qualifying for a spray buffer that is registered under ORS 527.787 (Registering to receive notice of pesticide application) ; or

(B) Within the same sixth-level hydrologic unit as a water source for water use qualifying for a spray buffer that is identified by the State Forestry Department and for which the location has been recorded in the department reporting system.

(3) On forestland that is subject to ORS 527.610 (Short title) to 527.770 (Good faith compliance with best management practices not violation of water quality standards) , a person may not directly apply pesticide by helicopter near a stream:

(a) That is identified by the department as a Type D stream or Type F stream, within the greatest of:

(A) 75 feet;

(B) The required vegetated buffer; or

(C) A riparian management area existing in State Board of Forestry rules on the July 7, 2020, within which vegetation retention and special management practices are required; or

(b) That is identified by the department as a Type N stream and has flowing water, within 50 feet.

(4) The restrictions in subsection (2)(c) of this section are contingent upon the water intake location being recorded in the department reporting system. [2020 s.s.1 c.16 §16]

Source: Section 527.797 — Limitations on pesticide applications , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.166 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.166
526.166 Acquisition of real property by purchase, agreement or donation
Status: in_force

In addition to any authority otherwise granted by law, the State Board of Forestry may acquire, by purchase, agreement or donation, real property or any interest therein, including easements and ways, found necessary by the board for:

(1) Rights of way to lands of the state, which lands are under the management or jurisdiction of the board or forester.

(2) Forest patrol sites, administrative sites, nursery sites, communication sites, construction of shops, equipment sheds and office buildings.

(3) Quarry sites, gravel pits and rights of way for pipelines, communication lines and power lines.

(4) Any other use or purpose necessary in carrying out the powers and duties of the board or forester. [1965 c.253 §29]

Source: Section 526.166 — Acquisition of real property by purchase, agreement or donation , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.328 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.328
526.328 Hearing
Status: in_force

(1) The committee shall hold a public hearing within the boundaries of its county or within the boundaries of each of its counties at the time and place stated in the notice published under ORS 526.324 (Classification of forestland by committee) (2), or at such other time and place as the hearing may then be adjourned to, to receive from any interested persons objections, remonstrances or suggestions relating to the preliminary classifications. Following the hearing the committee may make such changes to the preliminary classifications as it finds to be proper, and thereafter shall adopt final classifications.

(2) All action by the committee in adopting final classifications shall be by formal written order that must include a statement of findings of fact on the basis of which the order is made and must include a list of tax lots affected by the classifications or reclassifications. The committee shall prepare one or more maps showing the final classifications, but the maps may not be included as part of the formal written order. The original of the order shall be filed with the county clerk of its county or with the county clerk of each of its counties. The order need not meet the requirements of ORS 205.232 (Conditions for instruments to be recorded) , 205.234 (Requirements for first page of instruments to be recorded) and 205.236 (Labeling of instrument to be recorded) to be filed and recorded. A copy of the order certified by the secretary of the committee shall be sent to the State Forester. [1965 c.253 §38; 2009 c.69 §7]

Source: Section 526.328 — Hearing; final classification , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.725 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.725
526.725 Agreements with private, governmental or other organizations
Status: in_force

(1) The State Board of Forestry or the State Forester may enter into agreements with private, governmental or other organizations and may accept contributions, gifts or grants from any source to carry out the duties, functions and powers of the Forest Resource Trust. All moneys received by the board or the State Forester pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Forest Resource Trust Fund.

(2) The board may acquire, on behalf of the Forest Resource Trust, through exchange, lease or purchase, land only to the extent necessary to carry out the duties, functions and powers of the trust.

(3) Agreements with private, governmental or other organizations under subsection (1) of this section may specify the terms under which funds are invested and benefits accrue to the contributing party to the extent the agreement is consistent with the provisions of ORS 526.695 (Definitions for ORS 526.695 to 526.775) to 526.775 (Execution of judgment against other property when forest products and accounts not subject to lien) .

(4) The State Forester may, on behalf of the Forest Resource Trust, market, register, transfer or sell forestry carbon offsets attributable to the lands enrolled in the stand establishment program under ORS 526.705 (Loan program) . Prices for the transfer or sale of forestry carbon offsets may be negotiated but must be at or greater than fair market value.

(5) Nothing in ORS 526.695 (Definitions for ORS 526.695 to 526.775) to 526.775 (Execution of judgment against other property when forest products and accounts not subject to lien) is intended to create an enforceable trust on any agency or officer of the State of Oregon. [1993 c.765 §62; 2001 c.752 §7; 2007 c.201 §9]

Source: Section 526.725 — Agreements with private, governmental or other organizations; land acquisitions; investment of funds; forestry carbon offsets; trust on governmental agencies or officers not created , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.730 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.730
526.730 Report to legislature
Status: in_force

The State Board of Forestry, after consultation with the advisory committee appointed pursuant to ORS 526.700 (Forest Resource Trust) , shall prepare and submit a report to the Seventy-sixth Legislative Assembly that contains the following information regarding the Forest Resource Trust Fund:

(1) Program accomplishments;

(2) Financial assistance payments to participating landowners;

(3) Revenues received by the fund; and

(4) Expenditures made from the fund. [1993 c.765 §63; 2007 c.201 §5]

Source: Section 526.730 — Report to legislature , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.738 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.738
527.738 Riparian prescriptions
Status: repealed

(1) As used in this section:

(a) “Common ownership” means direct ownership by one or more individuals or ownership by a corporation, partnership, association or other entity in which an individual owns a significant interest.

(b) “Small forestland owner minimum option” means any small forestland owner minimum option available for small forestland owners pursuant to rules adopted by the State Board of Forestry under ORS 527.711 (Private Forest Accord rule package) .

(2) The board may not establish riparian prescriptions that result in minimum riparian buffer widths or lengths that measure less than the minimum riparian buffer widths or lengths set forth in sections 5.3.1.3 and 5.3.1.4 of chapter 5 of the Private Forest Accord Report dated February 2, 2022, and published by the State Forestry Department on February 7, 2022.

(3) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) An operator, timber owner or landowner may not follow a small forestland owner minimum option for an operation unless the department determines that, as of the date the department receives a notification related to the operation under ORS 527.670 (Commencement of operations) :

(A) The landowner of the forestland where the operation will occur owns or holds common ownership interest in less than 5,000 acres of forestland in this state;

(B) No more than an average yearly volume of two million board feet of merchantable forest products has been harvested from the landowner’s forestland in this state, when averaged over the three years prior to the date the department receives the notification; and

(C) The landowner has submitted an affirmation to the department that it does not expect to exceed an average yearly volume of two million board feet of merchantable forest products to be harvested from the landowner’s forestland in this state during the 10 years following the date the department receives the notification.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(B) and (C) of this subsection, the department may allow a landowner to follow a small forestland owner minimum option if the landowner establishes to the department’s reasonable satisfaction that any exceedance of the harvest limits set forth in paragraph (a)(B) or (C) of this subsection was or will be necessary to raise funds to pay estate taxes or for a compelling and unexpected obligation.

(4) The department may require a landowner to submit, as part of the notification required under ORS 527.670 (Commencement of operations) , any additional information or statements necessary to determine whether a landowner meets the requirements of subsection (3) of this section.

(5) The board may adopt any rules necessary to implement this section. [2022 c.33 §16]

Note: 527.738 (Riparian prescriptions) is repealed only if certain conditions are met. See sections 54 and 60 to 64, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022 (third note following 527.711 (Private Forest Accord rule package) ).

Note: 527.738 (Riparian prescriptions) and 527.739 (Application of restrictions related to small forestland owner minimum option) were added to and made a part of 527.610 (Short title) to 527.770 (Good faith compliance with best management practices not violation of water quality standards) by legislative action but were not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 527.738 — Riparian prescriptions; small forestland owner minimum option; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.321 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.321
527.321 Implementation of process by State Forester
Status: in_force

The State Forester shall implement the integrated pest management process as provided in ORS 527.315 (Process components) on department-managed lands and encourage the process on other nonfederal lands by setting examples on department lands and through training workshops, demonstration areas and on-site technical advice. [1991 c.686 §4]

Source: Section 527.321 — Implementation of process by State Forester , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 530.010 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 530 / Section 530.010
530.010 State Board of Forestry authorized to acquire lands
Status: in_force

(1) The State Board of Forestry, referred to in this chapter as the board, in the name of the State of Oregon, may acquire, by purchase, donation, devise or exchange from any public, quasi-public or private owner, lands which by reason of their location, topographical, geological or physical characteristics are chiefly valuable for the production of forest crops, watershed protection and development, erosion control, grazing, recreation or forest administrative purposes.

(2) The board shall not acquire any land without prior approval, duly made and entered, of the county court or board of county commissioners of the county in which the lands are situated.

(3) Lands acquired under the provisions of this section shall be designated as state forests. [Amended by 1953 c.43 §2; 1967 c.396 §1]

Source: Section 530.010 — State Board of Forestry authorized to acquire lands; limitations; lands designated as state forests , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors530.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 530.020 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 530 / Section 530.020
530.020 Title to acquired lands
Status: in_force

Title to all lands acquired by the State Board of Forestry under ORS 530.010 (State Board of Forestry authorized to acquire lands) shall be free and clear of all encumbrances except easements of rights of way and reservations or exceptions of gas, oil, coal, mineral and timber rights, unless the board determines other encumbrances will not unduly limit the management of the lands consistent with ORS 530.010 (State Board of Forestry authorized to acquire lands) to 530.170 (Disposition of revenues from lands acquired under former statute) . All titles shall be approved by the Attorney General before conveyance is accepted. However, the Attorney General may approve title to lands proposed to be acquired from counties under the provisions of ORS 530.030 (Conveyance of county lands to state) or proposed to be acquired by donation or devise when, in the opinion of the Attorney General, existing defects of title are of formal nature and may be cured by suit to quiet title. In case of acquisition of lands with defective title, the Attorney General may institute suit to quiet title to such lands, and all costs in connection therewith shall be a proper charge against the funds of the board. All deeds, abstracts, title insurance policies, and other evidences of title to lands acquired under ORS 530.010 (State Board of Forestry authorized to acquire lands) to 530.040 (Exchange of forestland or timber) shall be deposited with the Secretary of State. All deeds shall promptly be recorded in the county in which the lands are situated. [Amended by 1955 c.421 §1; 2009 c.831 §9]

Source: Section 530.020 — Title to acquired lands; encumbrances; Attorney General approval of title; cure of defects; recording , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors530.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.731 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.731
527.731 Adaptive management program
Status: repealed

(1) It is the policy of the State of Oregon that regulation of forest practices for the protection of aquatic species shall, in addition to other statutory requirements, be subject to a process of adaptive management, whereby goals and objectives are validated, and modified if necessary, and forest practice rules are monitored for effectiveness relative to the goals and objectives.

(2) The State Board of Forestry shall establish by rule an adaptive management program to accomplish the policy described in subsection (1) of this section, consistent with the adaptive management framework set forth in the Private Forest Accord Report dated February 2, 2022, and published by the State Forestry Department on February 7, 2022.

(3) The adaptive management program must:

(a) Ensure effective change as needed to meet resource objectives.

(b) Increase the predictability and stability of the process of changing regulation so landowners, regulators and interested members of the public can understand and anticipate change.

(c) Apply best available science to decision-making.

(d) Effectively meet resource objectives with less operationally expensive prescriptions when feasible.

(4) The State Board of Forestry shall adopt rules prescribing in detail the roles and obligations of the Adaptive Management Program Committee and Independent Research and Science Team, consistent with ORS 527.732 (Adaptive Management Program Committee) and 527.733 (Independent Research and Science Team) and the provisions of the Private Forest Accord Report.

(5) The board shall consider reports submitted by the committee and team. [2022 c.33 §34]

Note: 527.731 (Adaptive management program) is repealed only if certain conditions are met. See sections 54 and 60 to 64, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022 (third note following 527.711 (Private Forest Accord rule package) ).

Source: Section 527.731 — Adaptive management program; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.500 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.500
526.500 Definitions for ORS 526.500 to 526.515
Status: in_force

As used in ORS 526.500 (Definitions for ORS 526.500 to 526.515) to 526.515 (Gifts, grants and donations) , unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) “Urban forest” means the area in and around a city that contains trees and associated plant and animal life. The area may be public or private and may include single trees, small groups of trees or trees in large groups that would be identified commonly as a forest or woodland.

(2) “Urban and community forestry” means the practice of managing, planning, maintaining and promoting the health of the urban forest as a community resource. [1993 c.347 §2]

Source: Section 526.500 — Definitions for ORS 526.500 to 526.515 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.237 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.237
526.237 Acquisition of forest tree seedlings
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section:

(a) “Cooperative” means a cooperative of forest tree seedling growers formed under ORS chapter 62 for the purpose of allocating among those growers agreements to grow forest tree seedlings under this section.

(b) “Member” means a grower who qualifies and is accepted for membership in the cooperative.

(2) The State Forester and the State Board of Forestry may secure forest tree seedlings for the reforestation of forestlands by means that include, but need not be limited to, entering into agreements with a cooperative to allocate among the members of the cooperative the production of forest tree seedlings for the forester and the board in amounts, types and species specified by the board.

(3) The forester shall actively supervise the conduct of the cooperative and members in carrying out agreements described in subsection (2) of this section to ensure that the activities of the cooperative and members are consistent with the provision of a reasonably priced, adequate and reliable source of high-quality forest tree seedlings. The forester may inspect during reasonable hours any facility or land used by a member to produce forest tree seedlings for the forester and the board. The forester may examine, test and take samples of forest tree seedlings being produced by the member for the forester and the board.

(4) The forester may assess a charge on forest tree seedlings grown by a member under a production allocation. Any charges collected under this subsection shall be deposited in the State Forestry Department Account and are continuously appropriated to the forester for purposes of carrying out the duties of the forester under this section. [2005 c.541 §3]

Note: See note under 526.231 (Findings) .

Source: Section 526.237 — Acquisition of forest tree seedlings; agreements with grower cooperatives; fees , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 530.460 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 530 / Section 530.460
530.460 Lands suited for growing forest products to be designated Common School Forest Lands and withdrawn from sale
Status: in_force

(1) The Department of State Lands and the State Board of Forestry shall designate and set aside those lands owned by the State of Oregon, under the jurisdiction of the Department of State Lands, which are primarily suited for the growing of timber and other forest products.

(2) The state-owned lands shall be designated and set aside pursuant to ORS 530.470 (Determination of lands to be designated Common School Forest Lands) and 530.480 (Legal descriptions of lands) , and when so designated and set aside, shall be known as the Common School Forest Lands and hereby are dedicated for the primary purposes stated in subsection (1) of this section and shall be withdrawn from sale except as provided in ORS 530.450 (Withdrawal from sale of Elliott State Forest) to 530.520 (Use of receipts) . [1957 c.240 §2; 1967 c.396 §5]

Source: Section 530.460 — Lands suited for growing forest products to be designated Common School Forest Lands and withdrawn from sale , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors530.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.721 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.721
527.721 Coordination with state and local agencies for review and comment on operations
Status: in_force

By rule or by cooperative agreement entered into following an opportunity for public comment before the State Board of Forestry, the board shall provide for coordination with appropriate state and local agencies regarding procedures to be followed for review and comment on individual forest operations. [1987 c.919 §16 (enacted in lieu of 527.720)]

Source: Section 527.721 — Coordination with state and local agencies for review and comment on operations , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.402 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.402
526.402 Small Forestland Investment in Stream Habitat Program
Status: repealed

(1) The State Board of Forestry shall adopt by rule a Small Forestland Investment in Stream Habitat Program.

(2) The purpose of the program is to provide grants to certain small forestland owners to fund projects that:

(a) Result in environmental benefits to fish species addressed in the Private Forest Accord Report dated February 2, 2022, and published by the State Forestry Department on February 7, 2022; or

(b) Mitigate risks to natural resources arising from the construction, operation or maintenance of forest roads or related activities.

(3) The Small Forestland Owner Assistance Office established by ORS 526.400 (Small Forestland Owner Assistance Office) shall implement and administer the program.

(4) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) To be eligible for a grant under the program, a landowner must:

(A) Own or hold common ownership interest in less than 5,000 acres of forestland in this state.

(B) Submit documentation showing that no more than an average yearly volume of two million board feet of merchantable forest products has been harvested from the landowner’s forestland in this state, when averaged over the three years prior to the date the office receives the grant application.

(C) Affirm to the office that the landowner does not expect to exceed an average yearly volume of two million board feet of merchantable forest products to be harvested from the landowner’s forestland in this state during the 10 years following the date the office receives the grant application.

(D) Have on file with the State Forestry Department a road condition assessment that includes assessment of all the roads, abandoned roads, culverts and fish passage barriers located anywhere in the parcel of land on which the project for which grant funding is requested will occur.

(b) For purposes of this subsection, a landowner must be considered to hold common ownership interest in forestland if the forestland is owned by the landowner directly or by a corporation, partnership, association or other entity in which the landowner owns a significant interest.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(B) and (C) of this subsection, a landowner may be eligible for a grant if the landowner establishes to the department’s reasonable satisfaction that any exceedance of the harvest limits set forth in paragraph (a)(B) or (C) of this subsection was or will be necessary to raise funds to pay estate taxes or for a compelling and unexpected obligation.

(5) In administering and implementing the program, the office shall coordinate with the State Department of Fish and Wildlife to prioritize awarding grants for projects on high conservation value sites, as described in section 5.3.5.3 of chapter 5 of the Private Forest Accord Report.

(6) In addition to the requirements described in subsection (4) of this section, when awarding grants under the program, the office may consider:

(a) The length of time that has elapsed since an application for a grant was received.

(b) Any potential efficiencies gained through coordinating grant-funded activities with other activities at a proposed project site.

(7) The office shall annually publish, and make publicly available on a website of the State Forestry Department, a report for the previous calendar year that addresses:

(a) Each funded project that was completed during the calendar year.

(b) The costs of each completed project and the mileage of streams improved as a result of the completed project.

(8) The department shall submit a copy of the report to an appropriate committee or interim committee of the Legislative Assembly, in the manner described in ORS 192.245 (Form of report to legislature) , no later than September 15 of each year. [2022 c.33 §17]

Note: 526.402 (Small Forestland Investment in Stream Habitat Program) is repealed only if certain conditions are met. See sections 54 and 60 to 64, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022 (third note following 526.400 (Small Forestland Owner Assistance Office) ).

Note: See second note under 526.400 (Small Forestland Owner Assistance Office) .

Source: Section 526.402 — Small Forestland Investment in Stream Habitat Program; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 530.622 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 530 / Section 530.622
530.622 Authorities may act jointly
Status: in_force

(1) The powers and responsibilities provided in ORS 530.600 (Definitions for ORS 530.600 to 530.628) to 530.628 (Application of laws to authority and to issuance of bonds) may be exercised and discharged by two or more community forest authorities acting jointly to effectuate the purposes of ORS 530.600 (Definitions for ORS 530.600 to 530.628) to 530.628 (Application of laws to authority and to issuance of bonds) . In addition, one or more community forest authorities may authorize by resolution, ordinance or agreement the issuance of revenue bonds or other revenue obligations on behalf of the authorities or to otherwise exercise the powers of an authority within the boundaries of the authorities.

(2) A community forest authority may not finance the acquisition of community forestlands located outside the boundaries of the municipality that created the authority without the written consent of each municipality in which the community forest is located. [2005 c.500 §12]

Note: See note under 530.600 (Definitions for ORS 530.600 to 530.628) .

Source: Section 530.622 — Authorities may act jointly; limits on acquisition of forestlands , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors530.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.233 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.233
526.233 Application of antitrust laws
Status: in_force

The Legislative Assembly intends that ORS 526.237 (Acquisition of forest tree seedlings) and the amendments to ORS 526.235 (State forest nursery) by section 4, chapter 541, Oregon Laws 2005, authorize the displacement of competition in the forest tree seedling industry to a limited degree. The regulatory program of the State Forester described in ORS 526.237 (Acquisition of forest tree seedlings) is intended to grant immunity from state and federal antitrust laws to a cooperative and its members that enter into an agreement with the forester or the State Board of Forestry for the members to produce nonindustrial private forest tree seedlings for the forester and the board. The activities that any person performs in compliance with ORS 526.237 (Acquisition of forest tree seedlings) may not be considered in restraint of trade, a conspiracy or combination or any other unlawful activity in violation of ORS 646.705 (Definitions for ORS 136.617 and 646.705 to 646.805) to 646.805 (Effect of prior final judgment or decree) or federal antitrust laws. [2005 c.541 §2]

Note: See note under 526.231 (Findings) .

Source: Section 526.233 — Application of antitrust laws , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.992 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.992
526.992 Criminal and civil penalties for timber export violation
Status: in_force

(1) A person who, with willful disregard for the prohibitions contained in ORS 526.801 (Definitions for ORS 526.801 to 526.831 and 526.992) to 526.831 (Contract cancellation for timber export violation) against exporting public timber, exported or caused to be exported unprocessed timber originating from public lands in violation of this chapter is guilty of a Class C felony and may be assessed a civil penalty not to exceed $500,000 for each violation or three times the gross value of the unprocessed timber involved in the violation, whichever amount is greater.

(2) If the agency concerned finds, on the record and after an opportunity for a hearing, that a person has violated any provision of ORS 526.801 (Definitions for ORS 526.801 to 526.831 and 526.992) to 526.831 (Contract cancellation for timber export violation) or any rule issued pursuant thereto relating to lands which the agency administers (notwithstanding that such violation may not have caused the export of unprocessed public timber in violation of this chapter), such agency may:

(a) Assess against such person a civil penalty not more than $75,000 for each violation if it is determined that the violation was casual or involuntary.

(b) Assess against such person a civil penalty not more than $500,000 or three times the gross value of the unprocessed timber involved in the violation, whichever amount is greater, if it is determined that the person committed such violation willfully. Any person who willfully commits such a violation is guilty of a Class C felony.

(3) Any civil penalty imposed under this section shall become due and payable when the person incurring the penalty receives a notice in writing of the imposition of the penalty. The notice may be personally served on the person incurring the penalty or may be sent by registered or certified mail.

(4) The person incurring the penalty shall have 20 days from the date of receiving the notice to make written application for a hearing.

(5) Any person who makes application as provided for in subsection (4) of this section shall be entitled to a hearing. The hearing shall be conducted as a contested case hearing pursuant to the applicable provisions of ORS 183.413 (Notice to parties before hearing of rights and procedure) to 183.470 (Orders in contested cases) .

(6) Judicial review of an order made after a hearing under this section shall be as provided in ORS 183.480 (Judicial review of agency orders) to 183.497 (Awarding costs and attorney fees when finding for petitioner) for judicial review of contested cases.

(7) When an order assessing a civil penalty under this section becomes final by operation of law or on appeal, and the amount of penalty is not paid within 10 days after the order becomes final, the order may be recorded with the county clerk in any county of this state. The clerk shall thereupon record the name of the person incurring the penalty and the amount of the penalty in the County Clerk Lien Record.

(8) All moneys recovered pursuant to this section shall be paid into the State Forestry Department Account and may be used only to pay the expenses of administration, investigation and enforcement of ORS 526.801 (Definitions for ORS 526.801 to 526.831 and 526.992) to 526.831 (Contract cancellation for timber export violation) by the State Forester or any law enforcement agency. [1991 c.942 §9; 1999 c.59 §165]

Source: Section 526.992 — Criminal and civil penalties for timber export violation , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.675 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.675
526.675 Oregon Forest Resources Institute Fund
Status: in_force

(1) The Oregon Forest Resources Institute Fund is created in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Except as otherwise provided by law, all moneys received by the Oregon Forest Resources Institute shall be paid into the State Treasury and credited to the fund. All moneys in the fund are appropriated continuously to the institute to carry out its duties, functions and powers. Interest earnings on all moneys in the fund shall be retained in the fund.

(2) The board of directors of the institute may repay moneys from the fund to persons who paid a privilege tax levied under ORS 321.017 (Levy of additional privilege tax) . The board may repay the amount of tax paid upon application by the person who paid the tax. The board shall adopt rules necessary for the implementation of this subsection. Rules adopted by the board shall include standards for the repayment of moneys and limits on the amount that may be requested. [1991 c.949 §20; 2003 c.423 §6]

Source: Section 526.675 — Oregon Forest Resources Institute Fund; use of moneys; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.722 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.722
527.722 Restrictions on local government adoption of rules regulating forest operations
Status: in_force

(1) Notwithstanding any provisions of ORS chapters 195, 196, 197, 197A, 215 and 227, and except as provided in subsections (2), (3) and (4) of this section, no unit of local government shall adopt any rules, regulations or ordinances or take any other actions that prohibit, limit, regulate, subject to approval or in any other way affect forest practices on forestlands located outside of an acknowledged urban growth boundary.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section prohibits local governments from adopting and applying a comprehensive plan or land use regulation to forestland to allow, prohibit or regulate:

(a) Forest practices on lands located within an acknowledged urban growth boundary;

(b) Forest practices on lands located outside of an acknowledged urban growth boundary, and within the city limits as they exist on July 1, 1991, of a city with a population of 100,000 or more, for which an acknowledged exception to an agriculture or forestland goal has been taken;

(c) The establishment or alteration of structures other than temporary on-site structures which are auxiliary to and used during the term of a particular forest operation;

(d) The siting or alteration of dwellings;

(e) Physical alterations of the land, including but not limited to those made for purposes of exploration, mining, commercial gravel extraction and processing, landfills, dams, reservoirs, road construction or recreational facilities, when such uses are not auxiliary to forest practices; or

(f) Partitions and subdivisions of the land.

(3) Nothing in subsection (2) of this section shall prohibit a local government from enforcing the provisions of ORS 455.310 (Single-family residence repair and maintenance exempt from codes) to 455.715 (Definitions for ORS 455.715 to 455.740) and the rules adopted thereunder.

(4) Counties may prohibit, but in no other manner regulate, forest practices on forestlands:

(a) Located outside an acknowledged urban growth boundary; and

(b) For which an acknowledged exception to an agricultural or forest land goal has been taken.

(5) To ensure that all forest operations in this state are regulated to achieve protection of soil, air, water, fish and wildlife resources, in addition to all other forestlands, the Oregon Forest Practices Act applies to forest operations inside any urban growth boundary except in areas where a local government has adopted land use regulations for forest practices. For purposes of this subsection, “land use regulations for forest practices” means local government regulations that are adopted for the specific purpose of directing how forest operations and practices may be conducted. These local regulations shall:

(a) Protect soil, air, water, fish and wildlife resources;

(b) Be acknowledged as in compliance with land use planning goals;

(c) Be developed through a public process;

(d) Be developed for the specific purpose of regulating forest practices; and

(e) Be developed in coordination with the State Forestry Department and with notice to the Department of Land Conservation and Development.

(6) To coordinate with local governments in the protection of soil, air, water, fish and wildlife resources, the State Forester shall provide local governments with a copy of the notice or written plan for a forest operation within any urban growth boundary. Local governments may review and comment on an individual forest operation and inform the landowner or operator of all other regulations that apply but that do not pertain to activities regulated under the Oregon Forest Practices Act.

(7) The existence or adoption by local governments of a comprehensive plan policy or land use regulation regulating forest practices consistent with subsections (1) to (5) of this section shall relieve the State Forester of responsibility to administer the Oregon Forest Practices Act within the affected area.

(8) The Director of the Department of Land Conservation and Development shall provide the State Forester copies of notices submitted pursuant to ORS 197.615 (Submission of adopted comprehensive plan or land use regulation changes to Department of Land Conservation and Development) , whenever such notices concern the adoption, amendment or repeal of a comprehensive land use regulation allowing, prohibiting or regulating forest practices. [1979 c.400 §2; 1987 c.919 §17; 1991 c.919 §29; 2001 c.268 §1]

Source: Section 527.722 — Restrictions on local government adoption of rules regulating forest operations; exceptions , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.755 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.755
527.755 Scenic highways
Status: in_force

(1) The following highways are hereby designated as scenic highways for purposes of the Oregon Forest Practices Act:

(a) Interstate Highways 5, 84, 205, 405; and

(b) State Highways 6, 7, 20, 18/22, 26, 27, 30, 31, 34, 35, 36, 38, 42, 58, 62, 66, 82, 97, 101, 126, 138, 140, 199, 230, 234 and 395.

(2) The purpose of designating scenic highways is to provide a limited mechanism that maintains roadside trees for the enjoyment of the motoring public while traveling through forestland, consistent with ORS 527.630 (Policy) , safety and other practical considerations.

(3) The State Board of Forestry, in consultation with the Department of Transportation, shall establish procedures and regulations as necessary to implement the requirements of subsections (4), (5) and (6) of this section, consistent with subsection (2) of this section, including provisions for alternate plans. Alternate plans that modify or waive the requirements of subsection (4), (5) or (6) of this section may be approved when, in the judgment of the State Forester, circumstances exist such as:

(a) Modification or waiver is necessary to maintain motorist safety, protect improvements such as dwellings and bridges, or protect forest health;

(b) Modification or waiver will provide additional scenic benefits to the motoring public, such as exposure of distant scenic vistas;

(c) Trees that are otherwise required to be retained will not be visible to motorists;

(d) The operation involves a change of land use that is inconsistent with maintaining a visually sensitive corridor; or

(e) The retention of timber in a visually sensitive corridor will result in severe economic hardship for the owner because all or nearly all of the owner’s property is within the visually sensitive corridor.

(4) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) For harvest operations within a visually sensitive corridor, at least 50 healthy trees of at least 11 inches DBH, or that measure at least 40 square feet in basal area, shall be temporarily left on each acre.

(b) Overstory trees initially required to be left under paragraph (a) of this subsection may be removed when the reproduction understory reaches an average height of at least 10 feet and has at least the minimum number of stems per acre of free to grow seedlings or saplings required by the board for reforestation, by rule.

(c) Alternatively, when the adjacent stand, extending from 150 feet from the outermost edge of the roadway to 300 feet from the outermost edge of the roadway, has attained an average height of at least 10 feet and has at least the minimum number of stems per acre of free to grow seedlings or saplings required by the board for reforestation, by rule, or at least 40 square feet of basal area per acre, no trees are required to be left in the visually sensitive corridor, or trees initially required to be left under paragraph (a) of this subsection may be removed. When harvests within the visually sensitive corridor are carried out under this paragraph, the adjacent stand, extending from 150 feet from the outermost edge of the roadway to 300 feet from the outermost edge of the roadway, shall not be reduced below the minimum number of stems per acre of free to grow seedlings or saplings at least 10 feet tall required by the board for reforestation, by rule, or below 40 square feet of basal area per acre until the adjacent visually sensitive corridor has been reforested as required under subsection (6) of this section and the stand has attained an average height of at least 10 feet and has at least the minimum number of stems per acre.

(5) Harvest areas within a visually sensitive corridor shall be cleared of major harvest debris within 30 days of the completion of the harvest, or within 60 days of the cessation of active harvesting activity on the site, regardless of whether the harvest operation is complete.

(6) Notwithstanding the time limits established in ORS 527.745 (Reforestation of certain harvest types) (1)(a), when harvesting within a visually sensitive corridor results in a harvest type 1 or harvest type 3, reforestation shall be completed by the end of the first planting season after the completion of the harvest. All other provisions of ORS 527.745 (Reforestation of certain harvest types) shall also apply to harvest type 1 or harvest type 3 within visually sensitive corridors.

(7) Landowners and operators shall not be liable for injury or damage caused by trees left within the visually sensitive corridor for purposes of fulfilling the requirements of this section, when carried out in compliance with the provisions of the Oregon Forest Practices Act.

(8) The following are exempt from this section:

(a) Harvest on single ownerships less than five acres in size;

(b) Harvest within an urban growth boundary, as defined in ORS 197.015 (Definitions for ORS chapters 195, 196, 197 and 197A) ; and

(c) Harvest within zones designated for rural residential development pursuant to an exception adopted to the statewide land use planning goals under ORS 197.732 (Goal exceptions) . [1991 c.919 §17; 1993 c.306 §1; 1995 s.s. c.3 §39e; 1996 c.9 §7; 1997 c.249 §179; 2007 c.383 §1; 2023 c.13 §102]

Source: Section 527.755 — Scenic highways; visually sensitive corridors; operations restricted; exemptions , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.740 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.740
527.740 Harvest type 3 limitations
Status: in_force

(1) No harvest type 3 unit within a single ownership shall exceed 120 acres in size, except as provided in ORS 527.750 (Exceeding harvest type 3 size limitation) .

(2) No harvest type 3 unit shall be allowed within 300 feet of the perimeter of a prior harvest type 3 unit within a single ownership if the combined acreage of the harvest type 3 areas subject to regulation under the Oregon Forest Practices Act would exceed 120 acres in size, unless the prior harvest type 3 unit has been reforested as required by all applicable regulations and:

(a) At least the minimum tree stocking required by rule is established per acre; and either

(b) The resultant stand of trees has attained an average height of at least four feet; or

(c) At least 48 months have elapsed since the stand was created and it is “free to grow” as defined by the State Board of Forestry.

(3) Any acreage attributable to riparian areas or to resource sites listed in ORS 527.710 (Duties and powers of board) (3) that is located within a harvest unit shall not be counted in calculating the size of a harvest type 3 unit.

(4) The provisions of this section shall not apply when the land is being converted to managed conifers or managed hardwoods from brush or hardwood stands that contain less than 80 square feet of basal area per acre of trees 11 inches DBH or greater or when the harvest type 3 results from disasters such as fire, insect infestation, disease, windstorm or other occurrence that the State Forester determines was beyond the landowner’s control and has substantially impaired productivity or safety on the unit or jeopardizes nearby forestland. The prior approval of the State Forester shall be required for such conversion or harvest type 3 operations that exceed 120 acres in size.

(5) The provisions of this section do not apply to any operation where the operator demonstrates to the State Forester that:

(a) The trees are subject to a cutting right created by written contract prior to October 1, 1990, which provides that the trees must be paid for regardless of whether the trees are cut, or subject to a cutting right created by reservation in a deed prior to October 1, 1990; and

(b) If the provisions of this section were applied, the cutting right would expire before all the trees subject to the cutting right could reasonably be harvested. [1991 c.919 §4; 1995 s.s. c.3 §39b; 1996 c.9 §4]

Source: Section 527.740 — Harvest type 3 limitations; exceptions , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.632 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.632
526.632 Employees not subject to certain personnel regulation
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, wages or salaries of employees of the Oregon Forest Resources Institute are not subject to personnel compensation plans for state employees established by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services under ORS 240.235 (Compensation plan for classified service) to 240.250 (Rules applicable to management service) . [1993 c.584 §2]

Source: Section 526.632 — Employees not subject to certain personnel regulation , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 530.110 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 530 / Section 530.110
530.110 Distribution of revenues from lands acquired under ORS 530.010 to 530.040
Status: in_force

(1) All revenues derived from lands acquired without cost to the state, or acquired from counties pursuant to ORS 530.030 (Conveyance of county lands to state) , shall be paid into the State Treasury and credited to the State Forestry Department Account and shall be used in accordance with the following distribution:

(a) Fifteen percent shall be credited to the State Forests Protection Subaccount of the State Forestry Department Account until the amount in such subaccount reaches $475,000. Thereafter, the revenues shall be disposed of as stated in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection, unless needed to maintain the $475,000 level. All moneys in the State Forests Protection Subaccount are continuously appropriated to the State Forester who may use such money under the following priorities:

(A) First, in addition to or in lieu of other moneys available, to pay the cost of protection, as determined under ORS 477.270 (Budgeted cost of forester to be lien) , for lands acquired under ORS 530.010 (State Board of Forestry authorized to acquire lands) to 530.040 (Exchange of forestland or timber) .

(B) Second, to provide moneys needed for activities authorized by subsection (3) of this section.

(C) From remaining moneys, to pay costs incurred in the suppression of fire originating on or spreading from an operation area, as defined in ORS 477.001 (Definitions) , on state-owned forestland acquired under ORS 530.010 (State Board of Forestry authorized to acquire lands) to 530.040 (Exchange of forestland or timber) . The State Forester shall make payments with approval of the State Board of Forestry for such fire suppression costs, except that no payments shall be made for such costs or portion thereof when other parties are responsible under law or contracts for the payment of such costs.

(b) Seventy-five percent of all such revenues remaining after the percentage disposed of as stated in paragraph (a) of this subsection, shall be disposed of as provided in ORS 530.115 (Disposition of certain moneys described in ORS 530.110) .

(c) Twenty-five percent of all such revenues remaining after the percentage disposed of as stated in paragraph (a) of this subsection, shall be used for the purposes set out in subsection (3) of this section.

(2) Except as provided in ORS 530.147 (Forest Development Revenue Bond Fund) and 530.280 (State Forestry General Obligation Bond Fund) , all revenues from lands other than lands designated in subsection (1) of this section, acquired under ORS 530.010 (State Board of Forestry authorized to acquire lands) to 530.040 (Exchange of forestland or timber) , shall be paid into the State Treasury and credited to the State Forestry Department Account and shall be used in accordance with the following distribution:

(a) Until each legal subdivision of the lands has been credited with an amount equal to the purchase price thereof, the revenues shall reimburse the State Forestry Department Account. If sufficient revenue to reimburse the State Forestry Department Account is not generated from the purchased parcels within five years from the date of acquisition, the State Forester, with the consent of the affected county, shall deduct all or portions of the unreimbursed purchase costs from the revenue distributed to that county in accordance with ORS 530.115 (Disposition of certain moneys described in ORS 530.110) (1). After the State Forestry Department Account has been reimbursed for the purchase price of the lands, the revenue from the lands shall be distributed according to the formula specified in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this subsection.

(b) The percentage required under subsection (1)(a) of this section shall be credited to the State Forests Protection Subaccount, and the revenues shall be disposed of as stated in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subsection.

(c) Seventy-five percent of all such revenues remaining after paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection have been complied with, shall be disposed of as provided in ORS 530.115 (Disposition of certain moneys described in ORS 530.110) .

(d) Twenty-five percent of all such revenues remaining after the percentage disposed of as stated in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection, shall be used for the purposes set out in subsection (3) of this section.

(3) Unless otherwise consented to in advance and in writing by the counties from which the state has acquired lands without cost to the state or pursuant to ORS 530.130 (Issuance of revenue bonds to acquire lands) , the moneys in the State Forestry Department Account derived from those percentages of revenues set out in subsections (1)(c) and (2)(d) of this section shall be used exclusively for the following purposes and in the following order:

(a) First, for the payment of bond related costs for bonds issued under ORS 530.140 (Forest development revenue bonds) prior to July 28, 2009.

(b) Second, to the Forest Acquisition County Reimbursement Fund to the extent necessary for paying tax revenue reimbursements to counties under ORS 530.175 (Forest Acquisition County Reimbursement Fund) .

(c) Third, for such other purposes as are necessary in carrying out ORS 530.010 (State Board of Forestry authorized to acquire lands) to 530.110 (Distribution of revenues from lands acquired under ORS 530.010 to 530.040) . [Amended by 1953 c.65 §5; 1957 c.83 §14; 1965 c.317 §6; 1965 c.423 §2; 1969 c.428 §1; 1991 c.459 §423; 1991 c.876 §1; 1997 c.249 §180; 2007 c.911 §8; 2009 c.831 §§10,11]

Source: Section 530.110 — Distribution of revenues from lands acquired under ORS 530.010 to 530.040 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors530.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 530.147 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 530 / Section 530.147
530.147 Forest Development Revenue Bond Fund
Status: in_force

(1) The Forest Development Revenue Bond Fund is established separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Forest Development Revenue Bond Fund shall be credited to the fund. Moneys in the fund may be invested as provided in ORS 286A.025 (Issuance and sale of bonds) and 293.701 (Definitions for ORS 293.701 to 293.857) to 293.857 (Separate accounts for each local government) . All moneys in the fund are continuously appropriated to the State Board of Forestry for the purposes of paying bond-related costs when due on the revenue bonds issued under ORS 530.140 (Forest development revenue bonds) on or after July 28, 2009.

(2) The Forest Development Revenue Bond Fund may be credited with:

(a) Moneys deposited in the fund from the State Forestry Department Account, to the extent that the State Forestry Department allocates proceeds from the sale of revenue bonds issued on or after July 28, 2009, under ORS 530.140 (Forest development revenue bonds) to the payment of bond-related costs;

(b) Proceeds from the disposal of lands acquired with revenue bonds that were issued on or after July 28, 2009, under ORS 530.140 (Forest development revenue bonds) ;

(c) Proceeds from the disposal of forest products, as defined in ORS 532.010 (Definitions for ORS 532.010 to 532.140) , minerals or other forest-related values derived from the lands acquired with revenue bonds that were issued on or after July 28, 2009, under ORS 530.140 (Forest development revenue bonds) ; and

(d) Gifts, grants or any other unrestricted moneys paid to the State Forestry Department or the State Board of Forestry or appropriated by the Legislative Assembly that may be used for the purpose set forth in this section.

(3) The board or the State Forester may make covenants related to, or pledge moneys deposited in, the fund that the board or forester, after consultation with the State Treasurer, determines to be necessary or desirable for the repayment of revenue bonds and the payment of bond-related costs. [2009 c.831 §4]

Source: Section 530.147 — Forest Development Revenue Bond Fund , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors530.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.739 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.739
527.739 Application of restrictions related to small forestland owner minimum option
Status: repealed

In any tax year that a tax credit allowed for use of the standard practice in lieu of the small forestland owner minimum option is not available to small forestland owners, State Board of Forestry rules must provide that restrictions on using the small forestland owner minimum option related to the horizontal feet limitation applicable to fifth field watersheds are not in effect. [2022 c.33 §16a]

Note: 527.739 (Application of restrictions related to small forestland owner minimum option) is repealed only if certain conditions are met. See sections 54 and 60 to 64, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022 (third note following 527.711 (Private Forest Accord rule package) ).

Note: See second note under 527.738 (Riparian prescriptions) .

Source: Section 527.739 — Application of restrictions related to small forestland owner minimum option; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 530.470 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 530 / Section 530.470
530.470 Determination of lands to be designated Common School Forest Lands
Status: in_force

(1) Periodically as is necessary, the Department of State Lands and the State Board of Forestry shall proceed to designate and set aside Common School Forest Lands as rapidly as forestry data and information are obtained from field examinations of the lands eligible for dedication under ORS 530.450 (Withdrawal from sale of Elliott State Forest) to 530.520 (Use of receipts) .

(2) Any lands so designated and set aside may, at any time, be returned to their original status by similar actions of said agencies, if said lands are to be used for higher and better use for the general public, including the sale of said lands where lawful. [1957 c.240 §3; 1967 c.396 §6]

Source: Section 530.470 — Determination of lands to be designated Common School Forest Lands , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors530.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 530.618 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 530 / Section 530.618
530.618 Effect of bonds or other obligations on municipality
Status: in_force

Revenue bonds and other revenue obligations of a community forest authority created under ORS 530.606 (Creation of authority) are not a general obligation of the municipality nor a charge upon the tax revenues of the municipality. [2005 c.500 §10]

Note: See note under 530.600 (Definitions for ORS 530.600 to 530.628) .

Source: Section 530.618 — Effect of bonds or other obligations on municipality , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors530.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.672 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.672
527.672 Aerial herbicide applications
Status: in_force

When a forest operation involves applying herbicides by aircraft near an inhabited dwelling or school, the operator is responsible for leaving an unsprayed strip of at least 60 feet adjacent to the dwelling or school. The responsibility of the operator under this section is in addition to any responsibility of the aerial pesticide applicator under ORS chapter 634. [2015 c.833 §21]

Source: Section 527.672 — Aerial herbicide applications , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 530.120 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 530 / Section 530.120
530.120 Account of receipts from lands acquired
Status: in_force

The State Board of Forestry shall keep an accurate account, by legal subdivisions, of all receipts from lands acquired under the provisions of ORS 530.010 (State Board of Forestry authorized to acquire lands) to 530.040 (Exchange of forestland or timber) and shall credit to each legal subdivision the revenues derived therefrom. The board shall render annually to each county in which lands acquired under the provisions of ORS 530.010 (State Board of Forestry authorized to acquire lands) to 530.040 (Exchange of forestland or timber) are situated, a statement, by legal subdivisions, showing the revenues derived from each of such legal subdivisions.

Source: Section 530.120 — Account of receipts from lands acquired; annual statement to county , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors530.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.783 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.783
526.783 Development of forestry carbon offset accounting system
Status: in_force

As a means of consistently reporting forestry carbon offsets created through programs established under ORS 526.725 (Agreements with private, governmental or other organizations) , 526.780 (Agreements for forestry carbon offsets) to 526.789 (Effect of state forestry carbon offset program) , 530.050 (Management of lands acquired) or 530.500 (Authority of State Forester in management, protection, utilization and conservation of lands and waters) , the State Forester shall develop a forestry carbon offset accounting system for the registration, transfer or sale of forestry carbon offsets. The forestry carbon offset accounting system shall:

(1) Use accepted principles and standards relating to creating, measuring, monitoring, marketing, verifying, registering, transferring and selling carbon offsets used as mitigation for carbon dioxide emissions; and

(2) Be consistent with any rules adopted by the State Board of Forestry under ORS 526.786 (Rules relating to forestry carbon offsets) . [2001 c.752 §3; 2007 c.201 §7]

Source: Section 526.783 — Development of forestry carbon offset accounting system , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.831 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.831
526.831 Contract cancellation for timber export violation
Status: in_force

A public agency may cancel any contract entered into with a person found to have violated any provision of ORS 526.801 (Definitions for ORS 526.801 to 526.831 and 526.992) to 526.831 (Contract cancellation for timber export violation) and 526.992 (Criminal and civil penalties for timber export violation) , or any rule adopted pursuant thereto. [1991 c.942 §11]

Source: Section 526.831 — Contract cancellation for timber export violation , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.490 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.490
526.490 Afforestation of certain idle lands
Status: in_force

(1) It is the policy of the State of Oregon to encourage the afforestation of idle land for the purpose of establishing commercial forests if such afforestation is consistent with landowner objectives. The purpose of this section is to provide an incentive for afforestation by providing assurance that the State of Oregon will not prohibit the harvesting of trees planted on such lands within the first crop rotation.

(2) As used in this section:

(a) “Free to grow” means a stand of well-distributed trees that has a high probability of remaining or becoming vigorous, healthy and dominant over undesired competing vegetation.

(b) “Parcel” has the meaning given that term in ORS 92.010 (Definitions for ORS 92.010 to 92.192) .

(3) Notwithstanding ORS 527.676 (Leaving snags and downed logs in harvest type 2 or 3 units) , 527.710 (Duties and powers of board) or 527.755 (Scenic highways) or any rules promulgated thereunder, and except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, a person who, after September 9, 1995, plants or causes to be planted a stand of timber that is intended to become a merchantable stand of timber as defined in ORS 321.005 (Definitions for ORS 321.005 to 321.185, 321.560 to 321.600 and 477.440 to 477.460) on a parcel owned by the person, or a portion of such parcel not less than five contiguous acres, shall not be prohibited from harvesting the planted timber provided that:

(a) Prior to the time of planting, the parcel or portion thereof has not been subject to any forest practice as defined in ORS 527.620 (Definitions for ORS 527.610 to 527.770) since July 1, 1972; and

(b) Prior to the time of planting, the stocking of forest tree species on the subject parcel or portion thereof is less than 25 square feet of basal area per acre.

(4) The provisions of subsection (3) of this section shall not apply to any land or timber located within 20 feet of any large or medium stream, or any small stream that is a fish-bearing or domestic use stream, as defined by the State Board of Forestry.

(5) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) If, within two to five years of planting under subsection (3) of this section, the person notifies the State Forester, the State Forester shall inspect the timber and shall issue a certificate to the owner indicating that a free to grow stand of timber has been established under subsection (3) of this section and identifying the location of the timber. Upon request of the owner and payment of any applicable fee, the county clerk in the county wherein the parcel is located shall record the certificate as specified under ORS 205.130 (Recording duties of county clerk) .

(b) A person who notifies the State Forester and requests certification shall provide an accurate plat of the parcel or portion planted under subsection (3) of this section to the State Forester as well as photographs that accurately depict the condition of the land prior to planting.

(c) The State Forester may, by rule, establish a fee or schedule of fees adequate to cover such necessary expenses incurred by the State Forester in conducting inspection and certification activities. Fees may be charged to the person requesting certification.

(6) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, all forest practices conducted on the planted parcel or portion thereof shall be subject to the provisions of ORS 527.610 (Short title) to 527.770 (Good faith compliance with best management practices not violation of water quality standards) , 527.990 (Criminal penalties) (1) and 527.992 (Civil penalties) .

(b) No parcel or portion of such parcel shall be subject to the provisions of subsections (3) and (5) of this section more than once. [1995 c.266 §1; 2001 c.340 §2]

Note: 526.490 (Afforestation of certain idle lands) was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 526 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 526.490 — Afforestation of certain idle lands; harvest requirements; inspection fees; lands subject to Oregon Forest Practices Act; rules; fees , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.162 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.162
526.162 Taking title in fee simple
Status: in_force

In all cases where a title in fee simple to real property is acquired by the State Board of Forestry under ORS 526.166 (Acquisition of real property by purchase, agreement or donation) or 526.168 (Acquisition of real property by eminent domain) , such title shall be taken in the name of the State of Oregon. [Formerly 526.176]

Source: Section 526.162 — Taking title in fee simple , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.806 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.806
526.806 Prohibition against export of unprocessed timber
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful to export unprocessed timber originating from public lands in Oregon.

(2) All unprocessed timber that originates from public lands is prohibited from export.

(3) In addition to all other requirements of law, no person who is prohibited from purchasing timber directly from a public agency may purchase public timber from any other person. Acquisitions of Western Red Cedar that are domestically processed into finished products to be sold into domestic or international markets are exempt from the prohibitions contained in this subsection. [1991 c.942 §§3,5,6]

Source: Section 526.806 — Prohibition against export of unprocessed timber; prohibition against certain public timber purchases , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 530.143 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 530 / Section 530.143
530.143 Revenue bond refunding
Status: in_force

Revenue bonds issued under ORS 530.140 (Forest development revenue bonds) may be refunded as provided under ORS chapter 286A. [2009 c.831 §5]

Source: Section 530.143 — Revenue bond refunding , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors530.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.052 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.052
526.052 Credits for former forest protective association employees
Status: in_force

(1) For purposes of this section, “forest protective association” or “association” has the meaning for that term provided in ORS 477.001 (Definitions) .

(2) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, a person employed by a forest protective association at a time when the association was under contract or cooperative agreement with the forester or State Board of Forestry by authority of ORS chapter 477 and this chapter, with specific reference to ORS 477.406 (Cooperative contracts or agreements for forest protection or forest related activities) to 477.412 (Disposition and use of moneys received by forester under contract or agreement) , or predecessor statutes, shall receive the following credits when transferring directly from association employment to employment by the State Forestry Department:

(a) Sick leave accrual earned during employment as an association employee.

(b) Rate of accumulating annual leave based on years of service as an association employee.

(c) Credit for current service under the Public Employees Retirement System equal to periods of service as an association employee as determined by the Public Employees Retirement Board, if the person, before the effective date of retirement of the person as a member of the system, applies in writing to the retirement board for that credit or any part thereof and pays to the retirement board in a lump sum for credit to the member account of the member an amount determined by the retirement board to be equal to the total amount of employee and employer contributions with interest that would have accumulated had the person been a member of the system as an employee of the State Forestry Department in a position equivalent to that held by the person for the periods of service or part thereof as an association employee.

(3) The credits granted by subsection (2) of this section shall be granted if the employee makes an immediate transfer from association employment to state employment, and if the person earned employment credits as an association employee under standards comparable to laws and rules of the State of Oregon governing similar credits in state employment.

(4) Unless the employee transferring to employment with the State Forestry Department first becomes a member of the Public Employees Retirement System before January 1, 2000, as described in subsection (6) of this section:

(a) The employee may acquire credit under subsection (2)(c) of this section only after the employee has been a member of the Public Employees Retirement System for at least 60 calendar months; and

(b) The maximum number of years of retirement credit that a person may acquire under subsection (2)(c) of this section is five years.

(5) If a person subject to the limitation imposed by subsection (4)(b) of this section is also eligible for credit under ORS 238.145 (Credit for service as police officer or firefighter with nonparticipating employer) , and the person is subject to the limitation imposed by ORS 238.145 (Credit for service as police officer or firefighter with nonparticipating employer) (4), the total years of credit that the person may acquire under this section and under the provisions of ORS 238.145 (Credit for service as police officer or firefighter with nonparticipating employer) may not exceed five years.

(6) A person becomes a member of the Public Employees Retirement System before January 1, 2000, for the purposes of this section if:

(a) The person is a member of the system on January 1, 2000; or

(b) The person was a member of the system before January 1, 2000, ceased to be a member of the system under the provisions of ORS 238.095 (Termination of membership) , 238.265 (Withdrawal of member account) or 238.545 (Withdrawal of member account) before January 1, 2000, but restores part or all of the forfeited creditable service from before January 1, 2000, under the provisions of ORS 238.105 (Restoration of credit forfeited by reason of termination of membership) or 238.115 (Alternate method of restoring credit forfeited by reason of termination of membership) after January 1, 2000. [1969 c.249 §5; 1973 c.46 §6; 1987 c.617 §14; 1999 c.317 §13; 2001 c.945 §67]

Source: Section 526.052 — Credits for former forest protective association employees , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.615 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.615
526.615 Qualifications of voting members
Status: in_force

Except as provided in ORS 526.610 (Oregon Forest Resources Institute) (5), each voting member of the board of directors of the Oregon Forest Resources Institute shall have the following qualifications:

(1) Be a citizen of the United States.

(2) Be a bona fide resident of this state.

(3) Be a producer in this state, an employee of such a producer or own between 100 and 2,000 acres of forestland in this state on which harvest taxes are paid, but have no direct financial interest in any forest products processing activity.

(4) Have been actively engaged in producing forest products for a period of at least five years.

(5) Derive a substantial proportion of income from the production of forest products.

(6) Have demonstrated, through membership in producers’ organizations or organizations representing landowners who meet the requirements of ORS 526.610 (Oregon Forest Resources Institute) (4), a profound interest in the development of Oregon’s forest products industry. [1991 c.949 §6; 1995 c.225 §4; 1999 c.40 §2; 2003 c.423 §3]

Source: Section 526.615 — Qualifications of voting members , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.794 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.794
527.794 Department reporting system
Status: in_force

(1) As used in this section, “department reporting system” has the meaning given that term in ORS 527.786 (Definitions) .

(2) The State Forestry Department shall develop a system to allow nondepartment messages to nearby recipients described in ORS 527.789 (Notice to nearby recipient of proposed pesticide application) (1), notices under ORS 527.790 (Notice to State Forestry Department prior to pesticide application) and notices of incompletion or completion verifications under ORS 527.791 (Verifying completion of pesticide application) to be sent electronically using mobile telephone equipment to access a department reporting system. The department shall make the access system compatible with, at a minimum, the two most commonly used types of mobile telephone operating systems. [2020 s.s.1 c.16 §13]

Source: Section 527.794 — Department reporting system , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.065 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.065
526.065 Authority to accept gifts and other donations for management of state forests and forest legacy programs
Status: in_force

(1) The State Forestry Department may receive gifts, grants, bequests, endowments and donations of moneys, labor or materials from public and private sources for the purpose of contributing to the management and enhancement of state forests, including but not limited to activities such as recreation, education, interpretation, research and monitoring, cultural resources management and habitat improvement.

(2) The department may apply for, accept and utilize grants from the federal government to accomplish the goals of a federal forest legacy program. In implementing the federal forest legacy program, the department shall ensure that the program complies with all land use laws and regulations.

(3) On or before January 15 of each odd-numbered year, the State Forester shall report to the committee created by ORS 171.555 (Joint Committee on Ways and Means) and to any legislative committee with responsibility for forestry issues regarding:

(a) The number and monetary amounts of grants applied for under the federal forest legacy program;

(b) The number and monetary amounts of grants awarded under the federal forest legacy program; and

(c) The location and disposition of areas affected by the federal forest legacy program.

(4) The department shall deposit moneys received under this section into the State Forest Enhancement Donation Subaccount created under ORS 526.060 (State Forestry Department Account) . The department may expend moneys, materials or labor received under this section only for the purposes specified in the gift, grant, bequest, endowment or donation. If no purpose is specified, the department may use the moneys, materials or labor for the management and enhancement of state forests. [2001 c.159 §3; 2005 c.745 §1; 2007 c.206 §1]

Source: Section 526.065 — Authority to accept gifts and other donations for management of state forests and forest legacy programs; use of moneys in subaccount , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.750 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.750
526.750 Recording of notice
Status: in_force

The recording officer of the county shall record the notices made under ORS 526.745 (Notice of lien) . The record shall be indexed in the same manner as the record of deeds and mortgages. The recording officer shall charge and collect from the Forest Resource Trust, for the benefit of the county, the fee established in ORS 205.320 (Fees collected by county clerk) . [1995 c.207 §5]

Source: Section 526.750 — Recording of notice; fee , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.274 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.274
526.274 Authority to participate in federal forest management
Status: in_force

In furtherance of the policy established in ORS 526.271 (Findings) , the State Board of Forestry, in consultation with the Governor, may:

(1) In conformance with federal law, including Public Law 108-7, direct the State Forester to facilitate the development of stewardship contracts utilizing private contractors and, when appropriate, to seek and enter into a stewardship contract agreement with federal agencies to carry out forest management activities on federal lands. The State Forester may, under the stewardship contract agreements:

(a) Perform road and trail maintenance;

(b) Set prescribed fires to improve forest health, composition, structure and condition;

(c) Manage vegetation;

(d) Perform watershed restoration and maintenance;

(e) Restore wildlife habitat;

(f) Control exotic weeds and species; and

(g) Perform other activities related to stewardship.

(2) Create a forum for interagency cooperation and collaborative public involvement regarding federal forest management issues that may include, at the discretion of the board, the appointment of advisory committees, the use of existing advisory committees and procedures for holding public hearings.

(3) Provide guidelines for the State Forestry Department and State Forester to follow that contain directions regarding the management of federal lands and that specify the goals and objectives of the board regarding the management of federal lands.

(4) Participate, to the extent allowed by federal law, in the development of federal forest policies and the forest management planning processes of federal agencies.

(5) Provide guidelines for the department to follow in implementing this section.

(6) Coordinate with Oregon State University, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Oregon Forest Resources Institute, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Oregon Business Development Department, the State Department of Energy and other agencies of the executive department, as defined in ORS 174.112 (“Executive department” defined) , to assist the State Forestry Department in carrying out the provisions of this section. [2005 c.772 §2]

Note: See note under 526.271 (Findings) .

Source: Section 526.274 — Authority to participate in federal forest management , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.406 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.406
526.406 Adopting rules as part of rule package
Status: repealed

The State Board of Forestry shall adopt the rules described in ORS 526.400 (Small Forestland Owner Assistance Office) , 526.402 (Small Forestland Investment in Stream Habitat Program) and 527.738 (Riparian prescriptions) as part of the rule package described in ORS 527.711 (Private Forest Accord rule package) . [2022 c.33 §20]

Note: 526.406 (Adopting rules as part of rule package) is repealed only if certain conditions are met. See sections 54 and 60 to 64, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022 (third note following 526.400 (Small Forestland Owner Assistance Office) ).

Note: See second note under 526.400 (Small Forestland Owner Assistance Office) .

Source: Section 526.406 — Adopting rules as part of rule package , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.822 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.822
527.822 Reports to Legislative Assembly
Status: repealed

The State Board of Forestry shall report annually to a committee or interim committee of the Legislative Assembly related to forestry, in the manner described in ORS 192.245 (Form of report to legislature) , on progress in implementing the requirements of the Private Forest Accord Report dated February 2, 2022, and published by the State Forestry Department on February 7, 2022. [2022 c.33 §52]

Note: 527.822 (Reports to Legislative Assembly) is repealed only if certain conditions are met. See sections 54 and 60 to 64, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022 (third note following 527.711 (Private Forest Accord rule package) ).

Note: Section 50, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022, provides:

Sec. 50. Effect of policies on Indian tribes. (1) Nothing in sections 1 to 8, 10 to 25, 30 to 39, 42 to 44, 51 and 52 of this 2022 Act and the amendments to ORS 195.308 (Exception to requirement for compensation) , 496.252 (Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund) , 496.254 (Oregon Conservation and Recreation Advisory Committee) , 527.620 (Definitions for ORS 527.610 to 527.770) , 527.630 (Policy) , 527.680 (Violation by operator) , 527.685 (Civil penalty considerations) , 527.714 (Types of rules) , 527.990 (Criminal penalties) , 527.992 (Civil penalties) , 610.060 (Effect of certain wildlife law provisions on predatory animal control) and 610.105 (Authority to control noxious rodents or predatory animals) by sections 9, 26 to 29, 40, 41 and 45 to 49 of this 2022 Act:

(a) Affects the treaty or other rights of a federally recognized Indian tribe in Oregon.

(b) Applies to real property that is:

(A) Held in trust by the United States for the benefit of a federally recognized Indian tribe in Oregon or a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe in Oregon;

(B) Owned by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Oregon; or

(C) Owned by an entity that is wholly owned by:

(i) A federally recognized Indian tribe in Oregon; or

(ii) A tribally owned or operated corporation organized pursuant to the Indian Reorganization Act (25 U.S.C. 5101 to 5144).

(2) The State Board of Forestry shall develop a process for a federally recognized Indian tribe in Oregon to elect to join as an applicant for a habitat conservation plan described in section 11 of this 2022 Act, consistent with the terms and requirements applicable to private forestland under the Private Forest Accord Report dated February 2, 2022, and published by the State Forestry Department on February 7, 2022. [2022 c.33 §50]

Note: Section 10, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022, provides:

Sec. 10. Landslide modeling. (1) The Legislative Assembly finds that:

(a) The requirements of the Private Forest Accord Report dated February 2, 2022, and published by the State Forestry Department on February 7, 2022, are premised on specific landslide modeling developed by a specific contractor.

(b) Implementation of the requirements is contingent on the ability to use the specific landslide modeling.

(c) Implementation of the requirements is time sensitive and requires rapid development of landslide modeling.

(d) Procurement of services pursuant to this section:

(A) Is unlikely to encourage favoritism in awarding public contracts or to substantially diminish competition for public contracts.

(B) Will substantially promote the public interest in a manner that could not otherwise be practically realized through a procurement subject to the requirements of the Public Contracting Code.

(2) The State Forestry Department shall:

(a) Procure services for development and application of the landslide modeling described in chapter 3 and appendix B of the Private Forest Accord Report.

(b) Ensure that the modeling is developed and incorporated into a forest activity electronic reporting and notice system operated by the department:

(A) In time to facilitate compliance with the deadlines described in section 5 (2) and (3) of this 2022 Act.

(B) Not later than May 1, 2023.

(3) The procurement required by this section is not subject to the requirements of the Public Contracting Code. [2022 c.33 §10]

Note: Sections 11 and 12, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022, provide:

Sec. 11. The State Board of Forestry shall submit to the National Marine Fisheries Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service:

(1) A proposed habitat conservation plan consistent with the Private Forest Accord Report dated February 2, 2022, and published by the State Forestry Department on February 7, 2022.

(2) An application for an incidental take permit, supported by the habitat conservation plan, for the incidental taking of species addressed in the Private Forest Accord Report. [2022 c.33 §11]

Sec. 12. (1) On or before December 31, 2022, the State Board of Forestry shall prepare and submit to the National Marine Fisheries Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service the habitat conservation plan described in section 11 of this 2022 Act.

(2) The board shall procure the services of a person to develop and draft the habitat conservation plan.

(3) Pursuant to ORS 279A.050 (Procurement authority) (6)(n) and notwithstanding ORS 279B.050 (Methods of source selection) , 279B.055 (Competitive sealed bidding) , 279B.060 (Competitive sealed proposals) , 279B.065 (Small procurements) and 279B.070 (Intermediate procurements) , the board may award a contract for the services without undertaking a process of competitive sealed bidding or competitive sealed proposals or soliciting competitive price quotes or competitive proposals.

(4) The board shall ensure that representatives of the authors of the Private Forest Accord Report dated February 2, 2022, and published by the State Forestry Department on February 7, 2022, are:

(a) Regularly and closely consulted concerning the development and drafting of the habitat conservation plan.

(b) Consulted if any question arises concerning the intent of the Private Forest Accord Report.

(5) The habitat conservation plan and application for an incidental take permit described in section 11 of this 2022 Act do not constitute rules for purposes of ORS 183.310 (Definitions for chapter) to 183.410 (Agency determination of applicability of rule or statute to petitioner) or 527.714 (Types of rules) . [2022 c.33 §12]

Source: Section 527.822 — Reports to Legislative Assembly , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.460 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.460
526.460 Policy to manage forests to maximize benefits
Status: in_force

(1) The State of Oregon recognizes that the forest makes a vital contribution to Oregon. Economic benefits provided include a large tax base, substantial employment and wood products for a world market. The environmental benefits include maintenance of a forest cover and soil, air and water resources. Other benefits provided are habitats for wildlife and aquatic life, recreation and forest range. Management of all forestlands in Oregon should be encouraged to provide continuous production of all forest benefits.

(2) Nonindustrial private forestlands are an important part of Oregon’s forest resource base. They can make major contributions to Oregon’s economy and provide many other social benefits. Therefore, it is the policy of the State of Oregon to provide conditions favorable for long term forestry investments that lead to increased management of and harvest from these lands. [1979 c.578 §3]

Source: Section 526.460 — Policy to manage forests to maximize benefits , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.135 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.135
526.135 Leasing departmental equipment to federal agency
Status: in_force

The forester, with the approval of the State Board of Forestry, may lease equipment that is under the jurisdiction and control of the forester and board to any agency of the United States. However:

(1) The lease must include a reasonable rental fee and require the lessee to maintain the equipment during the lease period; and

(2) The federal agency must be a cooperator with the forester and board in common activities and programs for which the equipment is leased. [1965 c.87 §2]

Source: Section 526.135 — Leasing departmental equipment to federal agency , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 532.050 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 532 / Section 532.050
532.050 Application for registration of brand
Status: in_force

(1) Every person selecting a brand, before using it, shall make application for its registration in the office of the State Forester by depositing therein an impression stamped on a designated form, together with, in duplicate, a written statement duly signed and verified by the person or the agent of the person, containing a description of the brand and declaring that it is not, and at the time of its adoption by the person, was not in use to the knowledge of the person by any other person and that the person has selected it in good faith for branding forest products to be transported on motor vehicles or railroads, or floated or rafted in the waters of this state, or booming equipment to be used by the person as a part of the operations in securing, rafting or floating forest products.

(2) The State Forester, upon the receipt of the application and the fee provided in ORS 532.110 (Fees) , if the State Forester finds that the brand is not identical with any other brand registered in the office of the State Forester or does not so closely resemble one registered therein as to be confused therewith, shall file in the office of the State Forester the impression or drawing and one copy of the written statement and shall register the brand in a book to be provided by the State Forester and kept for the purpose and known as the Forest Products Brand Register, entering therein the name of the owner, character of the brand, date of registration and such other details as the State Forester may see fit to enter therein. The State Forester shall return to the applicant the other copy of the written statement as evidence that the brand has been duly registered in accordance with the provisions of ORS 532.010 (Definitions for ORS 532.010 to 532.140) to 532.140 (Prohibited acts relating to branding or marking if intended to injure or defraud) and that the applicant is the registered owner. The State Forester, in the event of refusal to register a brand on account of confliction with or resemblance to one already registered, shall immediately give notice of that fact to the applicant, who may select another brand and apply for its registration in the manner of an original application.

Source: Section 532.050 — Application for registration of brand; registration; rejection , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors532.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.332 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.332
526.332 Appeal
Status: in_force

(1) Any owner of land classified under ORS 526.328 (Hearing) or 526.340 (Classification by State Forester) who is aggrieved by the classification may, within 30 days after the date of the order making the classification, appeal to the circuit court for the county in which the property is located. If the forestland classification committee has been established for more than one county and the property is located in more than one of those counties, the owner of the land may appeal to the circuit court for any of those counties. Notice of an appeal shall be promptly served on the secretary of the committee or, if the classification was made under ORS 526.340 (Classification by State Forester) , on the State Forester.

(2) The appeal shall be tried by the circuit court as an action not triable by right to a jury.

(3) The State Forester may intervene as a matter of right in an appeal under this section from a forestland classification committee order. The State Forester may defend a forestland classification committee order whether or not the forestland classification committee also defends the order. [1965 c.253 §39; 1979 c.284 §163; 2009 c.69 §8; 2013 c.148 §2]

Source: Section 526.332 — Appeal , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 532.060 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 532 / Section 532.060
532.060 Application for registration of catch brand
Status: in_force

Every person desiring to use a catch brand as an identifying mark upon forest products or booming equipment purchased or lawfully acquired by the person from another shall, before using it, make application for its registration in the office of the State Forester in the manner prescribed for the registration of brands, and the provisions contained in ORS 532.010 (Definitions for ORS 532.010 to 532.140) to 532.140 (Prohibited acts relating to branding or marking if intended to injure or defraud) in reference to registration, certifications, assignments and cancellation and the fees to be paid to the State Forester shall apply equally to catch brands. However, the certificate of the State Forester shall designate the mark or brand as a catch brand, and the mark selected by the applicant as a catch brand shall be enclosed in the letter “C,” which letter “C” shall identify the mark as, and shall be used only in connection with, a catch brand.

Source: Section 532.060 — Application for registration of catch brand , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors532.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.121 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.121
526.121 Reimbursement of revolving account
Status: in_force

(1) Reimbursement vouchers for claims paid from the revolving account created by ORS 526.111 (State Forestry Department Revolving Account) shall be approved by the forester. Warrants in payment of the vouchers shall be drawn in favor of the forester and deposited with the State Treasurer to reimburse the revolving account.

(2) The forester shall maintain such records as readily disclose the true status of vouchers payable from, and checks outstanding against, the revolving account and the balance to the credit thereof. [1953 c.327 §2; 1957 c.83 §23; 1965 c.253 §19; 1983 c.740 §207]

Source: Section 526.121 — Reimbursement of revolving account; keeping records , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 532.030 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 532 / Section 532.030
532.030 Branding optional east of crest of Cascade Mountains
Status: in_force

In view of the different conditions obtaining in the logging industry of this state between the parts of the state lying respectively east and west of the crest of the Cascade Mountains, forest products may be put into the waters of this state or shipped on railroads or motor vehicles without having thereon a registered mark or brand as required in ORS 532.010 (Definitions for ORS 532.010 to 532.140) to 532.140 (Prohibited acts relating to branding or marking if intended to injure or defraud) , within that portion of the state lying east of the crest of the Cascade Mountains; and the penalties provided in ORS 532.990 (Penalties) for failure to mark or brand such forest products shall not apply. However, any person operating within the east side portion of the state may select a mark or brand and cause it to be registered in the office of the State Forester pursuant to the terms of ORS 532.010 (Definitions for ORS 532.010 to 532.140) to 532.140 (Prohibited acts relating to branding or marking if intended to injure or defraud) and use it for the purpose of marking or branding forest products and booming equipment. In the event of the registration of such mark or brand and the use of it in marking or branding forest products or booming equipment, the provisions of ORS 532.010 (Definitions for ORS 532.010 to 532.140) to 532.140 (Prohibited acts relating to branding or marking if intended to injure or defraud) shall apply to the forest products and booming equipment so marked or branded.

Source: Section 532.030 — Branding optional east of crest of Cascade Mountains , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors532.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 532.110 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 532 / Section 532.110
532.110 Fees
Status: in_force

The fees to be paid to the State Forester are as follows:

(1) For filing an application to register a mark or brand and registering the same, including the certificate, $20.

(2) For filing an application for an assignment of a registered mark or brand and registering such assignment, including the certificate, $20.

(3) For every other certificate of registration, including a copy of the written statement or assignment, $20.

(4) For each copy of any drawing, the reasonable expense of preparing it.

(5) For renewing brands or marks, $20. [Amended by 1975 c.463 §1; 1989 c.767 §1]

Source: Section 532.110 — Fees , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors532.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.683 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.683
527.683 Notice of violation
Status: in_force

(1) No civil penalty prescribed in ORS 527.992 (Civil penalties) shall be imposed until the person incurring the penalty has received notice in writing from the State Forester specifying the violation. Such notice is in addition to the notice required in ORS 183.745 (Civil penalty procedures) .

(2) The citation issued pursuant to ORS 527.680 (Violation by operator) (1) and the

order issued pursuant to ORS 527.680 (Violation by operator) (2)(b) shall each constitute the notice required by subsection (1) of this section. [1987 c.919 §25; 1991 c.734 §48]

Source: Section 527.683 — Notice of violation , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.036 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.036
526.036 Fidelity bonds
Status: in_force

(1) Before entering upon the duties of office, the forester shall furnish a fidelity bond in favor of the State of Oregon in the penal sum of $100,000 issued by one or more corporate sureties authorized to do business in the State of Oregon, conditioned upon the faithful and honest handling and disposition of the moneys in the State Forestry Department Account and any other moneys in the hands of the forester. The bond and sureties are subject to approval by the Director of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services as provided in ORS 291.011 (Blanket fidelity bonds for state officers and personnel) .

(2) The premium for the bond shall be paid from the appropriation of the State Board of Forestry.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (1) of this section, the board may require a fidelity bond, with one or more corporate sureties authorized to do business in this state, of any officer or employee of the State Forestry Department. The board shall fix the amount of the bond, which otherwise is subject to subsections (1) and (2) of this section. [Formerly 526.070; 1967 c.419 §16]

Source: Section 526.036 — Fidelity bonds , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.148 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.148
526.148 Leasing communication equipment
Status: in_force

(1) The forester and State Board of Forestry may lease communication equipment owned or acquired under ORS 526.144 (Equipment pool) to any forest protective association or agency under contract or agreement with the board for the protection of forestland against fire. However, the communication equipment may be used only for purposes of the forest protection system designated in ORS 477.005 (Policy) . Any lease so made must provide for a rental at the current rates established for the equipment pool. All amounts so charged shall be credited as provided in ORS 526.146 (Charges) .

(2) At the option of the board, the lease agreements made under this section may be merged under the equipment pool administration and equities set forth in ORS 526.152 (Disposition of equipment) . [1965 c.253 §24]

Source: Section 526.148 — Leasing communication equipment , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.745 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.745
527.745 Reforestation of certain harvest types
Status: in_force

(1) The State Board of Forestry shall adopt standards for the reforestation of harvest type 1 and harvest type 3. Unless the board makes the findings for alternate standards under subsection (2) of this section, the standards for the reforestation of harvest type 1 and harvest type 3 shall include the following:

(a) Reforestation, including site preparation, shall commence within 12 months after the completion of harvest and shall be completed by the end of the second planting season after the completion of harvest. By the end of the fifth growing season after planting or seeding, at least 200 healthy conifer or suitable hardwood seedlings or lesser number as permitted by the board by rule, shall be established per acre, well-distributed over the area, which are “free to grow” as defined by the board.

(b) Landowners may submit plans for alternate practices that do not conform to the standards established under paragraph (a) of this subsection or the alternate standards adopted under subsection (2) of this section, including but not limited to variances in the time in which reforestation is to be commenced or completed or plans to reforest sites by natural reforestation. Such alternate plans may be approved if the State Forester determines that the plan will achieve equivalent or better regeneration results for the particular conditions of the site, or the plan carries out an authorized research project conducted by a public agency or educational institution.

(2) The board, by rule, may establish alternate standards for the reforestation of harvest type 1 and harvest type 3, in lieu of the standards established in subsection (1) of this section, but in no case can the board require the establishment of more than 200 healthy conifer or suitable hardwood seedlings per acre. Such alternate standards may be adopted upon finding that the alternate standards will better assure the continuous growing and harvesting of forest tree species and the maintenance of forestland for such purposes, consistent with sound management of soil, air, water, fish and wildlife resources based on one or more of the following findings:

(a) Alternate standards are warranted based on scientific data concerning biologically effective regeneration;

(b) Different standards are warranted for particular geographic areas of the state due to variations in climate, elevation, geology or other physical factors; or

(c) Different standards are warranted for different tree species, including hardwoods, and for different growing site conditions.

(3) Pursuant to ORS 527.710 (Duties and powers of board) , the board may adopt definitions, procedures and further regulations to implement the standards established under subsection (1) of this section, without making the findings required in subsection (2) of this section, if those procedures or regulations are consistent with the standards established in subsection (1) of this section.

(4) The board shall encourage planting of disease and insect resistant species in sites infested with root pathogens or where planting of susceptible species would significantly facilitate the spread of a disease or insect pest and there are immune or more tolerant commercial species available which are adapted to the site.

(5) Notwithstanding subsections (1), (2) and (3) of this section, in order to remove potential disincentives to the conversion of underproducing stands, as defined by the board, or the salvage of stands that have been severely damaged by wildfire, insects, disease or other factors beyond the landowner’s control, the State Forester may suspend the reforestation requirements for specific harvest type 1 or harvest type 3 units in order to take advantage of the Forest Resource Trust provisions, or other cost-share programs administered by the State Forester or where the State Forester is the primary technical adviser. Such suspension may occur only on an individual case basis, in writing, based on a determination by the State Forester that the cost of harvest preparation, harvest, severance and applicable income taxes, logging, site preparation, reforestation and any other measures necessary to establish a free to grow forest stand will likely exceed the gross revenues of the harvest. The board shall adopt rules implementing this subsection establishing the criteria for and duration of the suspension of the reforestation requirements.

(6) Notwithstanding subsections (1), (2) and (3) of this section, at the request of the Department of Transportation, the State Forester shall consult with the department concerning reforestation requirements for harvest type 1 and harvest type 3 in areas that are within or adjacent to a state highway right of way. The State Forester shall waive reforestation requirements in areas deemed to be unsuitable for reforestation by the department in order to maintain motorist safety and to protect highways, bridges and utility lines. [1991 c.919 §6; 1993 c.562 §1; 1995 s.s. c.3 §39c; 1996 c.9 §5; 2012 c.56 §5]

Source: Section 527.745 — Reforestation of certain harvest types; adoption of standards; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.633 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.633
527.633 Conversion of forestland to other uses
Status: in_force

Nothing in the Oregon Forest Practices Act shall prevent the conversion of forestland to any other use. [Formerly 527.730]

Source: Section 527.633 — Conversion of forestland to other uses , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.789 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.789
527.789 Notice to nearby recipient of proposed pesticide application
Status: in_force

(1) Upon receipt of a notice under ORS 527.788 (Notice to State Forestry Department of proposed pesticide application) (2), a State Forestry Department reporting system shall provide the operator, timber owner or landowner that provided the notice with a list of, and contact information for, any nearby recipients for the proposed pesticide application.

(2) Two weeks after receiving a notice under ORS 527.788 (Notice to State Forestry Department of proposed pesticide application) (2), and on the date of receipt of any new notice under ORS 527.788 (Notice to State Forestry Department of proposed pesticide application) (4), the department shall send notice of the proposed pesticide application to the electronic mail address or telephone number of each nearby recipient for the application. The notice sent by the department must include, but need not be limited to, the location and nature of the proposed pesticide application and the 90-day period within which the pesticide application may occur, and the mailing address, electronic mail address and telephone number supplied as contact information by the operator, timber owner or landowner that provided notice of the proposed pesticide application under ORS 527.788 (Notice to State Forestry Department of proposed pesticide application) . [2020 s.s.1 c.16 §7]

Source: Section 527.789 — Notice to nearby recipient of proposed pesticide application , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.156 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.156
526.156 Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee
Status: in_force

(1) A Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee is established to be composed of the board of directors of the Council of Forest Trust Land Counties.

(2) Members may receive reimbursement for actual and reasonable traveling and other expenses necessarily incurred in performing official duties. This reimbursement shall not be deemed lucrative.

(3) The committee shall advise the State Board of Forestry and the State Forester on the management of lands subject to the provisions of ORS 530.010 (State Board of Forestry authorized to acquire lands) to 530.170 (Disposition of revenues from lands acquired under former statute) and on other matters in which counties may have a responsibility pertaining to forestland. The board and the State Forester shall consult with the committee with regard to such matters. [Formerly 527.735; 1997 c.120 §1]

Source: Section 526.156 — Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee; membership; advisory function , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.324 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.324
526.324 Classification of forestland by committee
Status: in_force

(1) Upon the basis of its investigation and determination under ORS 526.320 (Determination of forestland) , a committee shall assign all forestland within the boundaries of its county or counties and within a forest protection district to one of the following classifications:

(a) Class 1, timber class, includes forestland suitable for the production of timber and may include lands on which structures are present.

(b) Class 2, timber and grazing class, includes forestland suitable for joint use for timber production and the grazing of livestock and may include lands on which structures are present.

(c) Class 3, agricultural class, includes forestland suitable for grazing of livestock or other agricultural use and may include lands on which structures are present.

(2) The committee shall adopt preliminary classifications and shall cause notice thereof to be published once a week for two consecutive weeks in one or more newspapers of general circulation within the boundaries of its county or within the boundaries of each of its counties and to be posted in three public places within the boundaries of its county or within the boundaries of each of its counties. The notice shall state the time and place for the public hearing required pursuant to ORS 526.328 (Hearing) and where maps of the preliminary classifications may be inspected. [1965 c.253 §37; 1967 c.429 §32; 2009 c.69 §6]

Source: Section 526.324 — Classification of forestland by committee; publication , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.450 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.450
526.450 Short title
Status: in_force

ORS 315.104 (Reforestation) , 318.031 (Provisions in ORS chapters 305, 314, 315 and 317 incorporated into corporation income tax law) and 526.450 (Short title) to 526.475 (Appeal of decisions by State Forester) may be cited as the “Woodland Management Act of 1979.” [1979 c.578 §1]

Note: The amendments to 526.450 (Short title) by section 5, chapter 883, Oregon Laws 2007, become operative January 2, 2028. See section 10, chapter 883, Oregon Laws 2007, as amended by section 36, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2009. The text that is operative on and after January 2, 2028, is set forth for the user’s convenience.

526.450 (Short title) . ORS 318.031 (Provisions in ORS chapters 305, 314, 315 and 317 incorporated into corporation income tax law) and 526.450 (Short title) to 526.475 (Appeal of decisions by State Forester) may be cited as the “Woodland Management Act of 1979.”

Source: Section 526.450 — Short title , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 530.612 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 530 / Section 530.612
530.612 Powers of authority
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in ORS 530.610 (Levy of taxes prohibited) , a community forest authority shall have the power necessary to accomplish the purpose of financing community forestlands under ORS 530.600 (Definitions for ORS 530.600 to 530.628) to 530.628 (Application of laws to authority and to issuance of bonds) , including the power to:

(1) Sue and be sued in its own name.

(2) Enter into agreements relating to the operation of community forestlands upon terms and conditions the board deems appropriate.

(3) Borrow money by issuing notes, revenue bonds or other revenue obligations for the purpose of carrying out its powers.

(4) Mortgage, assign and pledge its assets, or a portion of its assets, whether then owned or thereafter acquired, to pledge and assign the revenues and receipts from the assets, to acquire, hold and dispose of mortgages or other similar documents relating to community forestlands and to arrange and provide for guarantees and other security agreements.

(5) Lend money to a nonprofit corporation for the acquisition, furnishing or extension of and improvements to community forestlands.

(6) Enter into contracts, leases and other undertakings in its own name.

(7) Adopt and amend ordinances and resolutions. [2005 c.500 §7]

Note: See note under 530.600 (Definitions for ORS 530.600 to 530.628) .

Source: Section 530.612 — Powers of authority , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors530.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.610 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.610
526.610 Oregon Forest Resources Institute
Status: in_force

There is created the Oregon Forest Resources Institute. The institute shall be governed by a board of directors appointed by the State Forester. In making the appointments, the State Forester shall take into consideration any nominations or recommendations made to the State Forester by producers or organizations that represent producers. The board shall consist of 11 voting members plus two nonvoting members appointed as follows:

(1) Three voting members to represent small producers of 20 million board feet or less per year.

(2) Three voting members to represent medium producers of more than 20 million board feet but less than 100 million board feet per year.

(3) Three voting members to represent large producers of 100 million board feet or more per year.

(4) One voting member who is an owner of between 100 and 2,000 acres of forestland and who has no direct financial interest in any forest products processing activity.

(5) After consideration of the recommendations of the other appointed members in subsections (1) to (4) of this section, one voting member who is an hourly wage employee of a producer or a person who represents such employees. The member appointed under this subsection need not comply with the requirements of ORS 526.615 (Qualifications of voting members) (3) to (6).

(6) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a) Two nonvoting members:

(A) The Dean of the College of Forestry at Oregon State University.

(B) An individual jointly appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to represent the public. The public representative may not be a member of or significantly affiliated with any organization of or business in the timber industry or any organization or business known to support or promote environmental or conservation issues. A person appointed under this subparagraph serves at the pleasure of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(b) Members referred to in this subsection are not subject to ORS 526.615 (Qualifications of voting members) to 526.625 (Effect of failure to maintain qualification) . [1991 c.949 §4; 1993 c.584 §3; 1995 c.225 §3; 1999 c.40 §1; 2003 c.423 §2]

Source: Section 526.610 — Oregon Forest Resources Institute; board of directors; eligibility , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 530.600 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 530 / Section 530.600
530.600 Definitions for ORS 530.600 to 530.628
Status: in_force

As used in ORS 530.600 (Definitions for ORS 530.600 to 530.628) to 530.628 (Application of laws to authority and to issuance of bonds) , unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) “Authority” means a community forest authority created under ORS 530.606 (Creation of authority) .

(2) “Board” means the board of directors of a community forest authority.

(3) “Community forestlands” means private lands that are zoned and permanently managed for commercial forestland use and any interests in those private lands, including related roads or other improvements financed by a community forest authority.

(4) “Municipality” means a city or county. [2005 c.500 §1]

Note: 530.600 (Definitions for ORS 530.600 to 530.628) to 530.628 (Application of laws to authority and to issuance of bonds) were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 530 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 530.600 — Definitions for ORS 530.600 to 530.628 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors530.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.142 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.142
526.142 Definition for ORS 526.142 to 526.152
Status: in_force

As used in ORS 526.142 (Definition for ORS 526.142 to 526.152) to 526.152 (Disposition of equipment) , “equipment” includes the necessary materials and supplies for the operation of equipment in the equipment pool authorized by ORS 526.144 (Equipment pool) . [1965 c.253 §21]

Source: Section 526.142 — Definition for ORS 526.142 to 526.152 , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.736 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.736
527.736 Forest practice standards for operations on public and private land
Status: in_force

(1) The standards established in ORS 527.740 (Harvest type 3 limitations) to 527.750 (Exceeding harvest type 3 size limitation) shall be administered by the State Forester as standards applying to all operations in the state, including those on forestland owned by the state or any political subdivision thereof. Pursuant to ORS 527.710 (Duties and powers of board) the State Board of Forestry shall adopt, repeal or amend forest practice rules as necessary to be consistent with and to implement the standards established in ORS 527.740 (Harvest type 3 limitations) to 527.750 (Exceeding harvest type 3 size limitation) . Except as provided in ORS 527.714 (Types of rules) , nothing in ORS 468B.100 (Definitions for ORS 468B.105 and 468B.110) to 468B.110 (Authority to establish and enforce water quality standards by rule or order) , 477.562 (Registration fee) , 527.620 (Definitions for ORS 527.610 to 527.770) , 527.670 (Commencement of operations) , 527.690 (Failure to comply with order to reforest or repair damage) , 527.710 (Duties and powers of board) , 527.715 (Rules to establish standards and procedures) , 527.722 (Restrictions on local government adoption of rules regulating forest operations) , 527.724 (Forest operations to comply with air and water pollution control rules and standards) and 527.736 (Forest practice standards for operations on public and private land) to 527.770 (Good faith compliance with best management practices not violation of water quality standards) shall affect the powers and duties of the board to adopt, or the State Forester to administer, all other regulations pertaining to forest practices under applicable state law.

(2) Nothing in ORS 527.740 (Harvest type 3 limitations) to 527.750 (Exceeding harvest type 3 size limitation) is intended to apply to cutting of trees that is for growth enhancement treatments, as defined by the State Forester, such as thinning or precommercial thinning.

(3) The State Board of Forestry may modify or waive the limitations and requirements of ORS 527.676 (Leaving snags and downed logs in harvest type 2 or 3 units) , 527.740 (Harvest type 3 limitations) , 527.750 (Exceeding harvest type 3 size limitation) and 527.755 (Scenic highways) for the purposes of a bona fide research project conducted by:

(a) A federal agency;

(b) Agencies of the executive department, as defined in ORS 174.112 (“Executive department” defined) ;

(c) An educational institution; or

(d) A private landowner.

(4) The State Board of Forestry may agree as a term of a stewardship agreement entered into under ORS 541.973 (Stewardship agreements) to modify or waive the limitations and requirements of ORS 527.676 (Leaving snags and downed logs in harvest type 2 or 3 units) , 527.740 (Harvest type 3 limitations) , 527.750 (Exceeding harvest type 3 size limitation) and 527.755 (Scenic highways) .

(5) The State Board of Forestry may modify or waive the limitations and requirements of ORS 527.676 (Leaving snags and downed logs in harvest type 2 or 3 units) , 527.740 (Harvest type 3 limitations) , 527.750 (Exceeding harvest type 3 size limitation) and 527.755 (Scenic highways) for the purpose of an operation for the planting, growing, managing or harvesting of hardwood timber, including but not limited to hybrid cottonwood, if:

(a) The timber is grown on land that has been prepared by intensive cultivation methods and is cleared of competing vegetation for at least three years after planting;

(b) The timber is harvested on a rotation cycle of more than 12 years and less than 20 years after planting; and

(c) The timber is subject to intensive agricultural practices, including but not limited to fertilization, cultivation, irrigation, insect control and disease control. [1991 c.919 §3; 1993 c.657 §5; 1995 s.s. c.3 §39r; 1996 c.9 §20; 2008 c.11 §1]

Source: Section 527.736 — Forest practice standards for operations on public and private land; exceptions; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.789 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.789
526.789 Effect of state forestry carbon offset program
Status: in_force

Nothing in ORS 526.005 (Definitions) , 526.725 (Agreements with private, governmental or other organizations) , 526.780 (Agreements for forestry carbon offsets) to 526.789 (Effect of state forestry carbon offset program) , 530.050 (Management of lands acquired) or 530.500 (Authority of State Forester in management, protection, utilization and conservation of lands and waters) shall prohibit any person or governmental agency from marketing, selling or transferring forestry carbon offsets independently from the State Forester program established under ORS 526.725 (Agreements with private, governmental or other organizations) , 526.780 (Agreements for forestry carbon offsets) to 526.789 (Effect of state forestry carbon offset program) , 530.050 (Management of lands acquired) or 530.500 (Authority of State Forester in management, protection, utilization and conservation of lands and waters) . Rules adopted by the State Board of Forestry pursuant to ORS 526.786 (Rules relating to forestry carbon offsets) may not prohibit any person from marketing, selling or transferring forestry carbon offsets using principles and standards different than those adopted by the board. [2001 c.752 §5]

Source: Section 526.789 — Effect of state forestry carbon offset program , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.640 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.640
527.640 Forest regions
Status: in_force

The State Board of Forestry shall establish a number of forest regions, but not less than three, necessary to achieve the purposes described in ORS 527.630 (Policy) . [1971 c.316 §6]

Source: Section 527.640 — Forest regions , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.991 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.991
526.991 Criminal penalty for large commercial event offense
Status: in_force

An organizer commits a Class A misdemeanor if the organizer:

(1) Accepts money or other items of value in an exchange described under ORS 526.287 (Definitions for ORS 526.287 to 526.299 and 526.991) (2)(a) prior to the issuance of a large commercial event permit required under ORS 526.291 (Large commercial event permits) ; or

(2) Recklessly allows the violation of a term or condition of a large commercial event permit issued to the organizer by the State Forestry Department. [2015 c.713 §7]

Note: See note under 526.287 (Definitions for ORS 526.287 to 526.299 and 526.991) .

Source: Section 526.991 — Criminal penalty for large commercial event offense , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 530.230 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 530 / Section 530.230
530.230 Issuance of general obligation bonds
Status: in_force

In order to provide funds for the purposes specified in Article XI-E of the Oregon Constitution, the State Board of Forestry may request the State Treasurer to issue bonds in accordance with the provisions of ORS chapter 286A. [Amended by 1981 c.660 §44; 2007 c.783 §214; 2009 c.831 §14]

Source: Section 530.230 — Issuance of general obligation bonds , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors530.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 530.040 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 530 / Section 530.040
530.040 Exchange of forestland or timber
Status: in_force

(1) It is desirable that lands acquired under the provisions of ORS 530.010 (State Board of Forestry authorized to acquire lands) shall be consolidated in areas wherever possible through exchanges of land. It is recognized that the management of state forests will be more economically feasible through such consolidation.

(2) In order to accomplish the objectives of subsection (1) of this section, the State Board of Forestry may exchange any land acquired under the provisions of ORS 530.010 (State Board of Forestry authorized to acquire lands) , or may exchange the timber on such land, for land of approximately equal aggregate value, situated in the same county, when such exchange is in furtherance of the purposes of ORS 530.010 (State Board of Forestry authorized to acquire lands) . However, the State Board of Forestry may exchange land or timber situated in one county or counties for land situated in another county or counties if such exchange is first approved by the county court or board of county commissioners of each county involved. Either party to any such exchange may make reservations of easements, rights of use and other interests and rights. Under the authority granted in this section, the State Board of Forestry may provide or receive, in addition to land to be exchanged, a monetary consideration where necessary to make the values comply with this subsection.

(3) Before making any such exchange, the State Board of Forestry shall hold a hearing thereon at the courthouse of the county in which such lands are situated and shall give notice of the time and place thereof by publication in two successive issues of a newspaper of general circulation published in such county. The notice shall contain a description of the lands to be given and to be received in the proposed exchange. However, no such exchange shall be made until the title to the lands to be received has been approved by the Attorney General.

(4) All lands received in exchange shall have the same status and be subject to the same provisions of law as the lands given in exchange therefor. [Amended by 1955 c.421 §2; 1959 c.103 §1; 1967 c.396 §2; 2007 c.71 §172]

Source: Section 530.040 — Exchange of forestland or timber; reservations; hearing; approval of title; status of lands received , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors530.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.515 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.515
526.515 Gifts, grants and donations
Status: in_force

(1) The State Forestry Department may receive and disburse such gifts, grants, bequests, federal moneys and endowments and donations of labor, material, seedlings, trees and equipment from public and private sources for the purpose of conducting an urban and community forestry program. In addition, the department is authorized to charge fees for services and for attendance at workshops and conferences and to sell various publications and other materials that the department prepares.

(2) All revenues received under subsection (1) of this section and any interest earned on all cash balances except federal moneys shall be credited to the State Forestry Department Account and may be expended only for urban and community forestry purposes. [1993 c.347 §5]

Source: Section 526.515 — Gifts, grants and donations; fees for services , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.285 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.285
526.285 Contracts for providing woody biomass from state-managed forestlands
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding ORS 530.059 (Procedure for sales of forest products) , the State Forester may enter into contracts under ORS 530.050 (Management of lands acquired) to provide a supply of woody biomass from forestlands managed by the State Forestry Department as needed to facilitate the development of projects, including but not limited to bioenergy projects. The department shall ensure that the provisions of contracts described in this section comply with applicable state forestland management plans. A contract described in this section is a sale of timber for purposes of the public contracting exemption described in ORS 279A.025 (Application of Public Contracting Code) (2)(L). [2011 c.276 §2]

Source: Section 526.285 — Contracts for providing woody biomass from state-managed forestlands , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 532.090 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 532 / Section 532.090
532.090 Cancellation of registered brand or mark
Status: in_force

The State Forester, upon the petition of the owner of a registered mark or brand, may cause the registration thereof to be canceled, and in the event of such cancellation, the mark or brand shall be open to registration by any person subsequently applying therefor.

Source: Section 532.090 — Cancellation of registered brand or mark , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors532.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.788 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.788
527.788 Notice to State Forestry Department of proposed pesticide application
Status: in_force

(1) To the extent of any conflict between this section and ORS 527.610 (Short title) to 527.770 (Good faith compliance with best management practices not violation of water quality standards) , the provisions of this section prevail.

(2) Notwithstanding ORS 527.670 (Commencement of operations) , an operator, timber owner or landowner proposing to conduct a pesticide application by helicopter to forestland shall send the State Forestry Department notice of the proposed pesticide application that includes the following:

(a) Identification of the pesticides likely to be used. The notice may not identify any pesticides that are not likely to be used.

(b) Identification of the forestland units to receive pesticide application.

(c) Identification of a 90-day period within which the pesticide application is to occur.

(d) Contact information for the operator, timber owner or landowner providing the notice that, at a minimum, includes a mail address, electronic mail address and telephone number.

(e) Any information required by State Board of Forestry rules.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, if the department reporting system indicates that the location of the proposed pesticide application has one or more nearby recipients, the beginning of the 90-day period identified in the notice under subsection (2)(c) of this section must be 30 or more days after the date the notice is provided to the department.

(4) If a pesticide application is not completed during the 90-day period identified in a notice, the operator, timber owner or landowner must send a new notice before commencing or completing the pesticide application. Notwithstanding ORS 527.670 (Commencement of operations) , if the new notice is sent in the same calendar year as the original notice, the 90-day period identified in the new notice must be seven or more days after the date the new notice is provided to the department. [2020 s.s.1 c.16 §6]

Source: Section 527.788 — Notice to State Forestry Department of proposed pesticide application , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.750 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.750
527.750 Exceeding harvest type 3 size limitation
Status: in_force

(1) Notwithstanding the requirements of ORS 527.740 (Harvest type 3 limitations) , a harvest type 3 unit within a single ownership that exceeds 120 acres but does not exceed 240 acres may be approved by the State Forester if all the requirements of this section and any additional requirements established by the State Board of Forestry are met. Proposed harvest type 3 units that are within 300 feet of the perimeter of a prior harvest type 3 unit, and that would result in a total combined harvest type 3 area under a single ownership exceeding 120 acres but not exceeding 240 acres, may be approved by the State Forester if the additional requirements are met for the combined area. No harvest type 3 unit within a single ownership shall exceed 240 contiguous acres. No harvest type 3 unit shall be allowed within 300 feet of the perimeter of a prior harvest type 3 unit within a single ownership if the combined acreage of the areas subject to regulation under the Oregon Forest Practices Act would exceed 240 acres, unless:

(a) The prior harvest type 3 unit has been reforested by all applicable regulations;

(b) At least the minimum tree stocking required by rule is established per acre; and

(c) Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(A) The resultant stand of trees has attained an average height of at least four feet; or

(B) At least 48 months have elapsed since the stand was created and it is “free to grow” as defined by the board.

(2) The requirements of this section are in addition to all other requirements of the Oregon Forest Practices Act and the rules adopted thereunder. The requirements of this section shall be applied in lieu of such other requirements only to the extent the requirements of this section are more stringent. Nothing in this section shall apply to operations conducted under ORS 527.740 (Harvest type 3 limitations) (4) or (5).

(3) The board shall require that a plan for an alternate practice be submitted prior to approval of a harvest type 3 operation under this section. The board may establish by rule any additional standards applying to operations under this section.

(4) The State Forester shall approve the harvest type 3 operation if the proposed operation would provide better overall results in meeting the requirements and objectives of the Oregon Forest Practices Act.

(5) The board shall specify by rule the information to be submitted for approval of harvest type 3 operations under this section, including evidence of past satisfactory compliance with the Oregon Forest Practices Act. [1991 c.919 §7; 1995 s.s. c.3 §39d; 1996 c.9 §6; 2003 c.740 §5; 2005 c.22 §378]

Source: Section 527.750 — Exceeding harvest type 3 size limitation; conditions; rules , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.315 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.315
527.315 Process components
Status: in_force

The integrated pest management process shall consist of:

(1) Defining the management unit or area of concern.

(2) Defining site specific management objectives that are compatible with the ecosystem of concern and that are achievable within the economic, logistical and regulatory constraints that apply.

(3) Establishing or maintaining routine detection and monitoring systems of major pests and their damage through ground and aerial surveys.

(4) Evaluating forest and pest conditions on specified site.

(5) Establishing pest population thresholds or acceptable levels of damage, or both, but not taking action until those levels are exceeded or where historical documentation has verified a reoccurring problem.

(6) Developing and evaluating potential strategies.

(7) Considering the following in selecting a strategy:

(a) Effectiveness;

(b) Operational feasibility;

(c) Cost-effectiveness;

(d) Ecological soundness;

(e) Environmental impact; and

(f) Site specific resource management objectives.

(8) Implementing the strategy selected.

(9) Timing actions for maximum effectiveness by monitoring pest, host development and weather.

(10) Monitoring and evaluating results of activities and strategies.

(11) Keeping current, accurate records.

(12) Structuring the program so that it can be adjusted to meet changes or varying situations. [1991 c.686 §3]

Source: Section 527.315 — Process components , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 530.065 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 530 / Section 530.065
530.065 Modifying timber sale contracts
Status: in_force

(1) During the period of a timber sale contract made under ORS 530.059 (Procedure for sales of forest products) , either party may propose to change or modify the terms of the contract if unforeseen circumstances develop. As used in this subsection, “unforeseen circumstances” means acts of nature or other unforeseen circumstances or conditions that:

(a) Affect the nature or scope of the work to be performed or volume to be harvested under the terms of the sale contract made by the State Forester; or

(b) Require additional work or harvest in an area adjacent to a timber sale made by the State Forester.

(2) The State Forester is hereby authorized to change or modify the terms or conditions of the contract in the event of unforeseen circumstances requiring such change or modification under subsection (1) of this section only when:

(a) Such change or modification is in the best interest of the State of Oregon; and

(b) The purchaser of the timber sale agrees that the proposed change or modification will maintain an equitable contractual relationship between the parties. [1965 c.128 §2; 1983 c.759 §11; 1997 c.285 §2]

Source: Section 530.065 — Modifying timber sale contracts , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors530.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 530.059 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 530 / Section 530.059
530.059 Procedure for sales of forest products
Status: in_force

(1) Before offering any forest products for sale under authority of ORS 530.050 (Management of lands acquired) or 530.500 (Authority of State Forester in management, protection, utilization and conservation of lands and waters) , the State Forester shall cause the forest products to be appraised. Should the appraised value of the forest products be in excess of $25,000, the State Forester shall not sell the same to a private person, firm or corporation, except after giving notice of the sale as required by this section, and affording an opportunity for competitive bidding either by public auction or through sealed bids, or a combination of both; provided, however, that such notice and opportunity for competitive bidding will not be required for sales in connection with:

(a) Experimental or research projects in the field of forestland management or forest product utilization.

(b) The removal, injury or destruction of forest products necessitated by any grant of easement or right of way, or necessitated by a permit or license to use a right of way, including trees which may endanger the use of such easement or way.

(c) The removal of forest products with an appraised value of less than $100,000 that, as a result of an act of nature or other unforeseen circumstance:

(A) Pose a threat to the health of the forests, waterways or forest road infrastructures; or

(B) Will lose value as a result of potential theft.

(d) The removal of forest products with an appraised value of less than $100,000 to facilitate the development, placement or maintenance of forest road infrastructures.

(2) The State Forester shall give the notice required by subsection (1) of this section by mail to all persons requesting such notice and in such other media of communication as the State Forester may deem advisable. The State Forester shall maintain a mailing list with the names and addresses of persons who have requested to receive State Forestry Department notices of timber sales. The notice shall describe the forest products to be sold and the land on which such products are situated, state the minimum price at which the same may be sold, and contain a brief statement of the terms of the sale. As a provision of each sale, the State Forester shall reserve the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

(3) Prior to or at the time the State Forester receives bids, each bidder shall furnish the State Forester with a certified check, cashier’s check, money order, surety bond, cash deposit, assignment of surety, irrevocable letters of credit or other securities as determined acceptable by the State Forester in an amount designated by the State Forester. The amount designated by the State Forester may not exceed 10 percent of the minimum price of the forest products to be sold or $500,000, whichever is less. The State Forester shall retain the amounts furnished by the successful bidder as a credit toward payment of the purchase price of the forest products sold. The State Forester shall return the amounts furnished by an unsuccessful bidder after determination of the successful bid. Any checks, bonds or orders furnished under this subsection shall be made payable to the State of Oregon.

(4) If the provisions of this section have been complied with, and no satisfactory bid has been received, or the bidder fails to complete the purchase, the State Forester may, at any time, during a period of six months after the advertised date of sale, sell the forest products in such manner as the forester deems appropriate, but the sale price shall not be less than the minimum terms offered in the notice of sale or the highest bid received, whichever is the larger amount. [1959 c.141 §4; 1963 c.475 §2; 1967 c.396 §4; 1975 c.185 §7; 1983 c.759 §10; 1987 c.324 §1; 1995 c.375 §3; 1997 c.285 §1; 2014 c.47 §3]

Source: Section 530.059 — Procedure for sales of forest products; surety deposit required of bidder , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors530.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 527.840 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 527 / Section 527.840
527.840 Program of assistance related to loss of tree canopy
Status: in_force

(1) The State Forestry Department shall develop and implement a program to provide technical and financial assistance to public bodies as defined in ORS 174.109 (“Public body” defined) , tribal governments, watershed councils as defined in ORS 541.890 (Definitions for ORS 541.890 to 541.969) and community-based organizations for planning for, responding to and recovering from damage to habitats and urban tree canopies due to pests, diseases or other natural or human-created conditions that lead to loss of tree canopy, including but not limited to:

(a) Emerald ash borer infestation;

(b) Japanese beetle infestation;

(c) Sudden Oak Death;

(d) Pine bark beetle infestation;

(e) Climate change;

(f) Drought; or

(g) Wildfire.

(2) The program may include, but need not be limited to, assistance for:

(a) Vulnerability assessments;

(b) Tree inventories;

(c) Response and recovery plan development;

(d) Community engagement and community-led strategies; and

(e) Tree removal and replanting with species that are resistant to disease, pest and drought.

(3) The department shall coordinate with the State Department of Agriculture to support program activities related to any pests or diseases subject to quarantine under the laws of this state or of the United States. [2023 c.442 §29]

Source: Section 527.840 — Program of assistance related to loss of tree canopy , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors527.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).
ORS § 526.297 — OR Code / Title 44 / Chapter 526 / Section 526.297
526.297 Suspension or revocation of permit
Status: in_force

The State Forestry Department may suspend or revoke a large commercial event permit if:

(1) An emergency, significant law enforcement problem, substantial threat to public safety or welfare or substantial threat to public property arises from, or is likely to affect, event activities; or

(2) The department discovers that a violation of permit terms and conditions has occurred. [2015 c.713 §5; 2017 c.17 §45]

Note: See note under 526.287 (Definitions for ORS 526.287 to 526.299 and 526.991) .

Source: Section 526.297 — Suspension or revocation of permit , https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors526.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).