Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Oregon.gov Homepage

Oregon Environmental Restoration Fund

Funds and Programs

 

The Oregon Environmental Restoration Fund contains three statutorily established funds: the Tribal Nation Natural Resource Program Fund, the State Agency Program Fund, and the Disproportionately Impacted Community Fund. Each fund has its own eligibility and other requirements, but all three must fund projects and initiatives that restore, maintain, and enhance the quality of Oregon's air, land, water, and other natural resources.



Fund Management

ORS 541.865(4) directs the annual distribution of funds from the Oregon Environmental Restoration Fund into each of the three statutorily established funds. The State Agency Program Fund receives 50% of the funding, the Tribal Nation Natural Resource Program Fund receives 25% of the funding, and the Community Impact Fund receives 25% of the funding.

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) is the state agency statutorily responsible for administration of the Oregon Environmental Restoration Fund. OWEB also provides staff support to the Oregon Environmental Restoration Council.

To ensure the long-term preservation of the Oregon Environmental Restoration Fund, ORS 541.865(1) directs the Oregon Environmental Restoration Council to adopt a long-term distribution policy. The Oregon Environmental Restoration Fund will generate investment earnings and interest (collectively known as earnings) through market-based investments. 

The Oregon Environmental Restoration Council has three primary responsibilities for the funds:

  1. Adopting administrative rules for the funds that govern how programs operate.
  2. Awarding funding from the State Agency Program Fund and Community Impact Fund.
  3. Ensuring investments made from each fund create impact for Oregon and Oregonians. The Council must report on these impacts to the Oregon Legislature every two years.

Governor Tina Kotek standing on a concrete platform with members of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians

aerial view of the Sandy River Trail showing restoration along the river


Tribal Nation Natural Resource Program Fund

The Tribal Nation Natural Resource Program Fund transfers funds in equal amounts to each of the nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon to support their stewardship of natural resources. This fund is not subject to the strategic priorities set by the Council. 

The Oregon Environmental Restoration Council approved administrative rules for the Tribal Nation Natural Resource Program Fund in July 2026. Federally recognized Tribes in Oregon will receive annual payment transfers from the Tribal Nation Natural Resource Program Fund following completion of funding agreements. Every two years, Tribes will submit a report to the Council describing funds that were spent and outcomes achieved. View Administrative Rules. 

State Agency Program Fund

The State Agency Program Fund will distribute funding to state agencies in Oregon whose work or mission has a nexus with the terms of the Monsanto Settlement Agreement. State Agency Program Fund dollars must be used to support the Council-identified strategic priorities.

Funding is intended to support new work or expand existing efforts; it cannot be used to replace existing funding sources. Every two years, agencies that receive funding will submit a report to the Council describing funds that were spent and outcomes achieved.

In June 2026, the Council approved one-time, interim funding of the State Agency Program Fund for the 2025-2027 biennium while ongoing program development continues. The Council approved $29.875 million in State Agency Program Fund dollars to support a variety of statewide initiatives that included:

  • Site cleanup, remediation, or redevelopment
  • Reducing human exposure to contaminants
  • Remediation of impaired waterbodies
  • Habitat/landscape restoration
  • Improved environmental protection/resource management

The Council approved temporary administrative rules in June 2026 (expiring December 2026). View Temporary Administrative Rules.

The State Agency Program is currently in a design phase with permanent rulemaking planned to begin late 2026 and conclude mid 2027. The next funding cycle is expected to occur in spring 2028.

Community Impact Fund

The Community Impact Fund will support a competitive grant program to provide funding for projects and programs that directly benefit communities impacted by environmental harms or who have been historically underrepresented in public processes regarding environmental laws/policies in Oregon. Non-profit organizations will be eligible to apply for funding to perform work that aligns with the Council-identified strategic priorities and that provides benefits to impacted communities.

Funding is intended to support new work or expand existing efforts; it cannot be used to replace existing funding sources.

The Community Impact Program is currently in a design phase with broad community engagement planned to gather input on program design and program administrative rules.


Contact

Nicole Maness, Program Manager
Nicole.G.Maness@oweb.oregon.gov

Rachel Thompson, Program Coordinator
Rachel.Thompson@oweb.oregon.gov

Clare Lanusse, Program Policy Analyst
Clare.K.Lanusse@oweb.oregon.gov