Bill > HB3352

This bill establishes a salmon credit pilot program in Oregon's Coquille and Coos watershed basins designed to encourage voluntary salmon habitat restoration by agricultural and forestland owners. The program allows landowners (called "credit generators") to create salmon credits by restoring waters that are or have historically been salmonid habitat, which can then be purchased by others to satisfy environmental mitigation requirements. The Department of State Lands will develop rules for the program, including identifying suitable restoration sites, establishing project requirements, setting credit prices, and creating a certification process. When a salmon credit is purchased, the credit generator receives reimbursement for project costs and can earn ongoing dividend payments through a newly created Salmon Credit Trust Fund. Participating landowners must convey a permanent easement to the state for the restored habitat area and can continue to hunt and fish on the property. The program is contingent upon obtaining a programmatic general permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is initially set to run for six years from the permit's establishment. Importantly, the bill aims to improve wild coho and chinook salmon health by providing financial incentives for habitat restoration while maintaining existing environmental protection standards.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HB3352