71st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2001 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 3649
 
                           A-Engrossed
 
                         House Bill 3638
                   Ordered by the House May 25
             Including House Amendments dated May 25
 
Sponsored by Representatives BACKLUND, LEE
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure.
 
    { - Allows Governor to establish regional stewardship
councils to act as advisory bodies and assist in strategic
coordination of Oregon Plan activities and conservation programs.
Specifies duties of regional stewardship councils. - }
    { - Declares emergency, effective on passage. - }  { +
  Authorizes formation of regional stewardship councils.  Defines
circumstances under which regional stewardship council may be
recognized by Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board as participant
in Oregon Plan. Specifies functions of regional stewardship
councils. + }
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to regional stewardship councils to implement the Oregon
  Plan.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + Sections 2 and 3 of this 2001 Act are added to
and made a part of ORS 541.351 to 541.415. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + (1) Regional stewardship councils may be formed
under and considered as participants in the Oregon Plan, if a
council:
  (a) Has members that constitute a broad geographic
representation of the region;
  (b) Can show evidence of broad support from local governments,
soil and water conservation districts, watershed councils and
members of the general public in the region to be represented by
the regional stewardship council; and
  (c) Operates pursuant to a clear agreement that:
  (A) Establishes the role and functions of the regional
stewardship council;
  (B) Sets forth the relationship of the regional stewardship
council to local organizations involved in restoration activities
and to the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board; and
  (C) Provides evidence of short term and long term funding
sources for the regional stewardship council.
  (2) The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board may recognize, as a
participant in the Oregon Plan, a regional stewardship council
that complies with the requirements of subsection (1) of this
section. + }
  SECTION 3.  { + A regional stewardship council recognized under
section 2 of this 2001 Act may serve:
  (1) To provide effective partnerships to enhance the ability of
watershed councils, soil and watershed conservation districts and
other local entities promoting watershed restoration and species
recovery activities;
  (2) To enhance citizen understanding of local restoration
efforts and the importance of achieving sustainable watershed
health;
  (3) To coordinate local restoration efforts and priorities in
the region with efforts and priorities of state and federal
entities;
  (4) To coordinate efforts to obtain enhanced funding to improve
the ability of local entities to undertake restoration projects,
provide technical assistance and otherwise implement effective,
locally sponsored watershed enhancement efforts; or
  (5) To develop a strategy that defines resource needs and
priority actions needed for effective targeting of available
resources and activities in the region. + }
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