Rural ADU Concept Revived
In a housing crisis, where 2019 fourth quarter Census reports estimate rental vacancy rates in Oregon to be 3.4 percent and homeowner vacancy rate at one percent, a small, but impactful solution may be on [...]
Land Use Bills go to Governor
A series of rural land use bills passed this week and will go to the governor for her signature. None of them will change the nature of the Oregon land use system, but all have [...]
Governor Brown’s Desk Next Stop for Rural Oregon Land Use Bill
A bill to make Oregon’s land use laws more flexible for rural Oregon has cleared the final hurdle in the legislative process before it goes to the Governor’s desk. Senate Bill 2 would [...]
Landmark Legislation for Rural Oregon on the Move, Commissioner Mark Owens Champions Legislative Effort
A group of stakeholders were convened over the last three years to address land use flexibility in rural Oregon counties. Harney County Commissioner Mark Owens took a large part in discussions to craft and advance [...]
Renewable Energy Bills Scheduled Before First Chamber Deadline
As the legislature begins its mad rush to schedule and work bills out of their chamber of origin before the first chamber deadlines, committee chair for the House Committee on Energy and Environment Representative Ken [...]
Rural County Land Use Bills Move Forward
Two bills that have involved heavy participation from Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) continue to find footing in the Oregon Capitol. SB 2, sponsored by Senate President Peter Courtney, recently passed the Senate by a [...]
Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service Finalize Revisions to ESA Listing Petition Process
By: Chris Marklund, Austin Igleheart | NACo September 30, 2016 Original source On September 26, 2016 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) released final rules governing how a member of the [...]
Grants Available for Local Transportation and Land Use Planning
April 13, 2016 A joint release with the Department of Land Conservation and Development For more information: Shelley M. Snow, ODOT Communications, (503) 881-5362 SALEM – Grants ranging from $75,000 to $200,000 are available to [...]
Federal Sage Grouse Lawsuits Popping Up Around the West
Oregon is watching filings in federal courts of lawsuits challenging the Records of Decision of land use plans by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service intended to conserve key sagebrush habitat, [...]
NACo Requests Extension of BLM Planning 2.0 Rule Comment Period
click here to view the original blog post by Chris Markland * March 23, 2016 On Tuesday, March 22, 2016, the National Association of Counties (NACo) submitted a request to the Bureau of Land Management [...]