Bill > SB521

This bill establishes the Oregon Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the Oregon Natural Resources Commission, consolidating numerous existing state agencies and commissions related to natural resource management, including the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, State Parks and Recreation Department, Department of State Lands, Department of Land Conservation and Development, and the Water Resources Department. The Governor is directed to appoint a Director for the ODNR and members for the Oregon Natural Resources Commission, which will set policy and adopt rules for the department. The bill establishes the Oregon Natural Resources Fund, into which all revenues from various sources will be deposited, and continuously appropriates moneys from this fund to the ODNR for its duties. The ODNR will administer laws related to wildlife, commercial fishing, state parks, lost property, state lands, removal and fill activities, land use planning, geology and mineral industries, water resources, watersheds, forestry, and forestland protection. The bill also includes numerous conforming amendments to existing statutes to reflect the name changes and the transfer of duties and powers from the abolished entities to the new department and commission. An emergency clause declares the bill effective upon passage.