The Department of State Lands is committed to providing access to meaningful engagement in natural resource management decisions and education. We embrace diverse backgrounds and experiences, actively identifying and addressing inequities toward people and lands and engaging widely to provide inclusive public service and access to information.
DSL opens comment periods on many of our responsibilities, as well holding meetings open to the community to attend. Some include allocated time in the agenda, while other meetings the entire time is dedicated to hearing community comment.
Get Involved
There are many ways you can get involved in decision-making on Oregon’s lands and waters where you live, work, learn, practice spirituality, and recreate.
The State Land Board oversees DSL and meets regularly to make decisions regarding school lands and Oregon-owned waterways, and to provide direction on Department operations. Anyone can attend these meetings (online or in-person), and there are opportunities to submit testimony in writing or verbally.
Throughout each year, DSL proposes rules that determine how DSL and other state agencies operate, including how they interpret and implement state laws. Administrative rules can also describe agency practices and policies. The rulemaking process is designed so there are several opportunities for people or organizations to provide feedback on a proposed rule by holding informational meetings and public hearings, convening Rulemaking Advisory committees, and inviting public comment.
Projects in wetlands and rivers, streams, lakes, or other waters usually requires a
removal-fill permit to protect the state’s water resources.
Waterway use authorizations allow certain uses of Oregon’s publicly owned rivers, lakes, territorial sea, and other waterways while compensating Oregonians for usage of these public resources. Sometimes these projects require more opportunities for public participation, and a public meeting will be held to meet those needs and hear community concerns regarding permits and authorizations.
Approximately 1.5 million acres of surface and subsurface lands across Oregon are managed by DSL, and the Department occasionally sells and exchanges that land for full market value to maximize revenue for the Common School Fund. Sometimes these require more opportunities for public participation, and a public meeting will be held to meet those needs and hear community concerns.
Attend a public meeting or meeting held by an advisory body, workgroup, or other committee
For all rulemakings and some wetland, waterways, and lands projects - we will often hold meetings that begin with an information session, followed by public meeting time that is entirely dedicated to accepting spoken comments from the community.
There are also different advisory bodies and workgroups for ongoing projects, all of which we hold open to the public and many of which reserve time for public comment. Nearly every meeting is
recorded and published online (see the DSL YouTube channel here), and if there is a technology limitation - recorded meeting minutes are published instead.
Give spoken testimony
When called to speak by the meeting facilitator, we recommend beginning with addressing the board or commission (if applicable) and then introduce yourself before sharing your testimony. When you are finished, thank the facilitator or board and answer any questions. Keep your comments brief (the meeting facilitator will share your alloted time, typically three minutes in length or less), as your allotted time to speak may be limited.
When joining on online public meeting, please mute yourself to avoid creating distracting background noise. You may have your camera on, but it is not required to participate.
Request accessibility accommodations
Need meeting assistance? If you need assistance to participate in a meeting due to a disability, please contact Arin Smith at 503-986-5224 or arin.n.smith@dsl.oregon.gov at least two working days prior to the meeting.
Recent and Upcoming Meetings
Notices for upcoming meetings are sent to the DSL mailing lists, subscribe here. See recent notices and email announcements here.