The Oregon Constitution specifies that OWEB may fund projects involving the purchase of interests in land from willing sellers for the purpose of maintaining or restoring watersheds and habitat for native fish and wildlife. OWEB-funded interests in land may be held by local, state and federal agencies, tribes, not-for-profit land conservation organizations and trusts, state institutions of higher education, independent not-for-profit institutions of higher education or political subdivisions of the state, as long as the entity continues to use the land for the purposes specified in the constitution.
OWEB’s land acquisition program makes grants for the purchase of land and conservation easements in accordance with the constitution, and the statutes and administrative rules that guide the program.
Future application deadlines and funding cycles were discussed at the January 2012 Board meeting held in Newport, Oregon, January 18 and 19. At that time, the Board directed staff to complete a program evaluation along with partners to improve operational efficiency and assess risk levels for OWEB investment in acquisitions. This evaluation is in progress and grant applications will be accepted in October 2013.
Staff Report, January 2013, Agenda Item E: Update on the Acquistion Grant Program (PDF) |