Congress approves FY26 Interior Appropriations bill with changes to O&C timber revenue share for Oregon counties

Congress has approved the FY26 Interior Appropriations Bill, a government funding measure that includes language affecting how timber revenue is shared with certain western Oregon counties tied to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) forestlands.

The Association of O&C Counties (AOCC), which represents 18 counties connected to the former Oregon and California Railroad grant lands, said the bill restores a 75% share of timber receipts from O&C lands. AOCC said the change reverses revisions made in 1982 and would amount to about a 50% increase compared with the current revenue share.

Counties cite budget pressure and essential services

AOCC said the increase could provide additional revenue for counties at a time when local governments are facing inflation, rising operating costs, and reductions in other revenue sources.

The organization said counties use this funding to help support services such as:

• Public safety
• Senior services
• Veteran services
• Other public services

AOCC describes long-term effort and bipartisan support

AOCC Executive Director Doug Robertson and AOCC Board President Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman said the change has been a long-standing priority for the association and its member counties.

AOCC said the provision received bipartisan support in Congress and is tied to the 1937 O&C Act, which established sustained yield management requirements for the O&C lands and the structure for revenue sharing with counties.

Robertson said he has worked on O&C timber management for 40 years and described the bill’s passage as a significant milestone. He also credited AOCC’s board leadership and Oregon’s federal delegation for supporting the effort.

Officials and organizations credited

AOCC said the action reflects work by its Board of Directors, executive board, staff, and member counties. AOCC’s executive board includes:

• Tim Freeman, Douglas County Commissioner (President)
• Craig Pope, Polk County Commissioner (Vice President)
• Derrick DeGroot, Klamath County Commissioner (Secretary/Treasurer)

AOCC thanked Oregon’s federal delegation, including:

• Sen. Ron Wyden
• Sen. Jeff Merkley
• Rep. Cliff Bentz
• Rep. Val Hoyle

AOCC also recognized Jay Sullivan of Jamisen and Sullivan for advocacy work related to the issue.

Next steps

AOCC said it plans to continue working with the BLM and Oregon’s new state director on future management of O&C timberlands.

Freeman said AOCC has advocated for management of O&C lands since 1925 and supports the sustained yield framework established under the 1937 O&C Act.

About O&C lands and AOCC

AOCC represents 18 western Oregon counties that include approximately 2.1 million acres of O&C timberlands managed by the BLM.

AOCC advocates for sustained yield timber management, which limits timber harvest to levels that do not exceed annual forest growth. AOCC said the approach is intended to support long-term timber supply while also providing wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and public recreation opportunities.

More information about AOCC is available at oandc.org. The full press release can be found here.