Elliott State Forest no longer funds Oregon Schools; Land Board creates 'research forest'

by KATU Staff

Wed, December 14th 2022, 1:32 AM UTC

The Elliott State Forest in Coos and Curry counties has new protections thanks to the approval of Senate Bill 1546 in the Oregon Legislature. The move means Oregon's first state-owned forest will soon be managed by Oregon State University. The Elliott Forest, which spans over 82,000 acres, awaits the governor's signature on a bill designating the land as a research forest. (SBG)

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Elliott State Forest will no longer be a source of income for the Common School Fund. The State Land Board took what officials are calling a historic step today, December 13, in the creation of the Elliott State Research Forest. The board also appointed the first board of directors for the new public agency, which will be established in 2024. It will oversee the research forest in collaboration with Oregon State University.

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Officials say the Elliott Forest was caught between the financial obligation of the forest to support public schools and the forest’s potential to provide benefits beyond harvest revenue.

“Truly this is a Margaret Mead moment that wouldn’t have happened without all of you working together – never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has,” said Governor Kate Brown.

The vote today was made possible by a payment of $221 million to the fund which frees the forest of its obligations to generate money for Oregon’s public K-12 classrooms. The forest will remain in public ownership, under the oversight of the new Elliott State Research Forest Authority agency created by Senate Bill 1546.

“This is a day to celebrate the creation of the largest research forest in North America, the Elliott State Research Forest,” said Treasurer Read. “The Elliott will provide a better approach for working forest management, improve conservation protections and, significantly, keep the forest in public hands. We can be proud that current and future generations of Oregonians will benefit from this valuable natural resource.”

The Land Board also prospectively appointed the initial nine-member Board of Directors of the Authority. The appointments begin on January 1, 2024, with the establishment of the new agency. Members appointed today will serve as informal advisors to the Land Board and Department of State Lands as work continues on the remaining steps required by SB 1546 to establish the research forest.

The change of the forest from providing money funding schools to that of a research forest was the vision of the Land Board. Officials say the forest will continue to contribute to conservation, recreation, education, the local economy, and more as a publicly owned, working research forest.

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