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AFRC Supports O&C Renewal Act to Restore Management of Western Oregon BLM Timberlands
By American Forest Resource Council,
The American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) today announced strong support for legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Oregon) to reaffirm the original intent of the federal O&C Act and restore responsible, sustainable management of more than two million acres of federal timberlands in western Oregon.
The O&C Renewal Act clarifies that timber production under sustained yield is the primary purpose of the O&C Lands, directs the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to modernize its Resource Management Plans (RMPs), and ensures these highly productive forests are actively managed to support jobs, public services, forest health, and wildfire resilience.
“The O&C Lands are some of the most productive timberlands in the world, and they were set aside by Congress to be actively managed for the benefit of local communities,” said AFRC President Travis Joseph. “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.”
The O&C Act of 1937 established a sustained yield management framework for these lands, with timber revenues shared with western Oregon counties to support schools, public safety, infrastructure, and other vital services. For decades, O&C counties and the BLM worked in partnership to meet that mandate.
However, current BLM Resource Management Plans effectively set aside roughly 80 percent of the O&C Lands from sustained yield timber management, despite the forests’ ability to grow an estimated 1.2 billion board feet of timber annually. The result has been a severe reduction in timber supply, mill closures, lost jobs, declining county revenues and budget cuts, and increased wildfire risk across western Oregon.
On February 19, the Department of the Interior announced its intention to revise the current RMPs in Western Oregon signaling the Administration’s intent to increase active management on and timber supply from the O&C Lands.
The O&C Renewal Act would require the Administration to finalize the planned revision within two years consistent with the O&C Act, while ensuring O&C counties are included as cooperating agencies in the planning process. The bill also strengthens cooperative wildfire protection by maintaining proven fire protection agreements with the State of Oregon.
“Today’s management plans handcuff land managers and prevent responsible forestry on lands that were specifically designated for timber production,” Joseph said. “A lack of active management does not protect forests. It leaves them overstocked, unhealthy, and increasingly vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire that threatens communities, watersheds, and wildlife habitat.”
AFRC noted that the legislation aligns with broader national goals to increase domestic timber and lumber production, strengthen American manufacturing, and reduce reliance on foreign imports of wood products produced under weaker environmental standards.
“This is a bipartisan issue that should unite policymakers who care about forest health, rural economies, and public safety,” Joseph said. “The O&C Renewal Act clarifies congressional intent, incorporates decades of legal guidance, and directs the federal government to manage these forests the way Congress intended. This is an opportunity for Oregonians to work together to better steward our forests for current and future generations.”
AFRC thanked Rep. Bentz for his leadership and emphasized its commitment to working collaboratively with Congress, the Administration, counties, and stakeholders to improve management of the O&C Lands.
“We strongly support this bill and appreciate Representative Bentz’s willingness to lead,” Joseph said. “We look forward to working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to restore a sustainable future for western Oregon’s forests and communities.”