Land Transactions before State Land Board, April 14

At their public meeting on April 14, the State Land Board will be asked to finalize a land exchange with Tree Top Ranches LP in southeast Oregon, and to approve the sale of the Forked Horn Butte subdivision in Redmond. In the Tree Top land exchange, the Board will receive “in-holdings” (land not owned by the state) within the state-owned Stockade Block parcel in Harney and Malheur counties. The proposed land exchange is consistent with the Stockade Block Area Management Plan and will result in improved management of the block. DSL is recommending the Land Board accept an offer to buy the Forked Horn Butte subdivision in Redmond as a result of a Request for Proposals distributed in fall 2014, which sought bids on the Forked Horn property. The Land Board will consider adopting permanent rules to impose certain restrictions on public recreational use of three state-owned parcels in Deschutes and Crook counties because of excessive littering, damage to natural resources, and illegal activities. DSL conducted a public rulemaking process in early 2015 that provided an opportunity for the public to provide comments on the proposed closures and restrictions. The Board also will discuss the investment performance of the Common School Fund (CSF), and the Board’s CSF distribution policy, which currently is 4 percent of the average fund balance of the preceding three years. In addition, the meeting includes nine Consent Agenda items, a report on DSL’s Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances for the greater sage grouse, and a legislative update. Meeting agenda: http://www.oregon.gov/dsl/SLB/Pages/2015_slb_meeting_schedule.aspx The State Land Board consists of Governor Kate Brown, Secretary of State Jeanne P. Atkins and State Treasurer Ted Wheeler. The Department of State Lands administers diverse natural and fiscal resources. Many of the resources generate revenue for the Common School Fund, such as state-owned rangelands and timberlands, waterway leases, estates for which no will or heirs exist, and unclaimed property. Twice a year, the agency distributes fund investment earnings to support K-12 public schools. The agency also administers Oregon’s Removal-Fill Law, which requires people removing or filling certain amounts of material in waters of the state to obtain a permit.