Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 541 § 541.981 — Conservation management plans for working lands; plan requirements

Conservation management plans for working lands; plan requirements. (1) An agricultural owner or operator may enter into a conservation management plan with an organization for working land to be managed in a manner that supports one or more natural resource values. The conservation management plan may be composed of multiple components addressing different natural resource values as identified in subsection (2) of this section. (2) A conservation management plan must be for the purpose of developing and implementing conservation measures or other protections for maintaining or enhancing fish or wildlife habitat, improving water quality or supporting other natural resource values in a manner consistent with the social and economic interests and abilities of the agricultural owner or operator. The plan may include provisions for addressing particular priorities related to natural resource values, including but not limited to soil, water, plants, animals, energy and human need considerations. (3) A conservation management plan must: (a) Meet the standards established by Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board rules; (b) State the duration or terminating event for the plan; (c) Be specific to the land, and account for the needs of, the agricultural owner or operator; (d) Provide for the parties to review the plan on a regular basis; (e) Provide for flexibility and allow for mutual modification as necessary to reflect changes in practices or circumstances; (f) Provide for regular monitoring by the organization to ensure that the agricultural owner or operator is adhering to the plan; (g) Make any receipt by the agricultural owner or operator of annual payments for carrying out the plan contingent on adherence to the plan; and (h) Limit any annual payments for carrying out the plan to a term of not less than 20 years or more than 50 years. (4) An organization that enters into, or proposes to enter into, a conservation management plan may apply to the board for a grant to fund the purchasing, implementing, carrying out or monitoring of the plan if the organization is: (a) A holder, as defined in ORS 271.715, other than a state agency; (b) A watershed council; or (c) Tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. [2017 c.716 §4] Note: See note under 541.977.