Congressman Cliff Bentz has introduced new federal legislation seeking to reshape how more than two million acres of federally managed timberlands in western Oregon are overseen, reigniting a long-running debate over forest management, rural economies, and wildfire prevention.
The proposed O&C Renewal Act of 2026 would amend the historic Oregon and California Lands Act of 1937 by reaffirming sustained timber production as the primary purpose of Oregon and California Railroad Grant lands, commonly known as O&C lands. These federally managed forests stretch across 18 western Oregon counties and have historically served as a major economic engine for rural communities.
According to Bentz, the legislation is designed to restore active forest management practices while stabilizing county revenues once heavily supported by timber harvest receipts. “For decades, O&C counties depended on responsible timber harvests to fund schools, roads, and essential services,” Bentz said. “Following the listing of the spotted owl and years of federal delays, these lands have become overgrown and neglected. This bill restores the clear intent of the 1937 law—that O&C lands are to be managed for sustained timber production that benefits rural communities while reducing wildfire risk.”
The measure directs the Bureau of Land Management to update and finalize new Resource Management Plans within two years. The bill also formally includes O&C counties as cooperating agencies during the planning process and maintains cooperative wildfire protection agreements between federal agencies and the State of Oregon.
Supporters of the legislation argue that current federal management strategies have significantly limited timber harvest levels. Congressional materials accompanying the proposal state that existing plans effectively restrict sustained-yield timber production on roughly 80 percent of O&C lands. Advocates say those restrictions have contributed to declining timber supplies, mill closures, job losses, and reduced county revenue streams throughout western Oregon.
The American Forest Resource Council, a regional forestry advocacy organization, voiced support for the proposal. AFRC President Travis Joseph described the legislation as an effort to restore balance in federal land policy. “The O&C Lands are some of the most productive forestlands in the world, and they were set aside by Congress to be actively managed for the benefit of local communities,” Joseph said. “Representative Bentz’s legislation is common sense. It reaffirms the law, restores balance, and provides a clear path forward to improve forest health while supporting family-wage jobs and essential public services.”
County leaders representing O&C jurisdictions also welcomed the bill’s introduction. Douglas County Commissioner and Association of O&C Counties President Tim Freeman said the legislation reflects the historical intent behind the original 1937 law. “We believe the legislation clarifies the historical intent of the 1937 O&C Act,” Freeman said. “We appreciate the time Congressman Bentz has dedicated to understanding these uniquely congressionally designated timberlands and look forward to this bill becoming law to help the Bureau of Land Management manage these lands reasonably and responsibly under the principles of sustained yield.”
The proposal arrives amid increasing concern across Oregon about wildfire severity and forest health. Proponents argue that active management, including timber harvest and fuel reduction, can reduce excessive vegetation buildup that contributes to large-scale fires. The bill frames sustained-yield forestry not only as an economic policy but also as a wildfire mitigation strategy intended to create more resilient forest conditions.
If enacted, revenues generated through timber production would once again flow directly to county governments, helping fund local services such as schools, transportation infrastructure, law enforcement, and emergency response programs. Many rural counties historically relied on timber receipts before harvest levels declined in the late twentieth century.
The O&C Renewal Act now enters the federal legislative process, where it will face committee review and potential debate among lawmakers balancing environmental protections, economic development, and forest management priorities. The proposal highlights an ongoing policy crossroads for Oregon’s federally managed forests, where questions about conservation, community stability, and wildfire prevention continue to shape discussions about the future of public lands in the Pacific Northwest.