All project requests shall be reviewed by the PFA Advisory Commitee, the Department, and additional review team(s) as deemed appropriate by the Department and PFA Advisory Committee. Any project recommended for funding to the Commission shall, at the minimum, meet the following conditions:

1. (1) All project applications will be evaluated based on the following evaluation criteria: Clarity, technical soundness, cost-effectiveness, addressing the biological needs of covered species, addressing conservation strategies in a watershed context, readiness, measurability, available funding, capacity of the applicant, and any other metric deemed appropriate by the PFA Advisory Committee or the Department.

2. (2) Project applications shall provide, at a minimum, the following:

   1. (a) Well-defined and measurable goals,
   2. (b) Measures to achieve project goals,
   3. (c) A list of project proponents and collaborating and participating partners,
   4. (d) The location and duration of the project, including the beginning and the ending date,
   5. (e) Estimated project costs, including the amount to be funded by the PFA Grant Program and sources of other funding,
   6. (f) A description of other conservation or natural resource benefits, if any, that may be supported by the proposed project,
   7. (g) A monitoring plan to measure performance of the implemented project, and
   8. (h) A list of necessary project permits and copies of collected permits, or the anticipated actions to collect the required permits. All Grantees bear sole responsibility to seek and obtain all necessary permits or authorizations that may be required to carry out such projects.

3. (3) The Department, at direction of the PFA Advisory Committee, shall not recommend a project for funding to the Commission if the Department determines the project to be:

   1. (a) Inconsistent with the intent of Oregon Laws 2022, Chapter 33, Section 11, and the Private Forest Accord Report dated February 2, 2022, and published by the State of Oregon Forestry Department on February 7, 2022,
   2. (b) Contrary to sound biological, scientific, and engineering principles,
   3. (c) Proposing inappropriate measures or methods to accomplish the project objectives,
   4. (d) Inconsistent with local, regional, and statewide laws, including land use planning goals, and governments’ acknowledged land use plans, or
   5. (e) Violating Department or State of Oregon goals, policies, administrative rules, or management plans approved or adopted by the Commission.

4. (4) Projects recommended for funding shall use the best available science and management practices, as determined by the Department, including but not limited to the following:

   1. (a) Demonstrating sound principles of watershed and/or species management,
   2. (b) Using methods adapted to the project locale,
   3. (c) Complying with state land use planning goals and is compatible with acknowledged comprehensive plans as required under ORS 197.180, and
   4. (d) Following professionally accepted practices resulting in ecological or watershed benefits.
5. (5) The Department may reject incomplete project applications.
6. (6) All projects must provide a benefit to one or more covered species.
7. (7) The Department, the PFA Advisory Committee, or the Commission may require additional information to evaluate the project.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 496.012, 496.138, 496.146 & Oregon Laws 2022, Chapter 33, Sections 30-32

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 496.012 & Oregon Laws 2022, Chapter 33, Sections 30-32

History

DFW 74-2025, amend filed 08/20/2025, effective 08/20/2025
DFW 80-2023, adopt filed 08/10/2023, effective 08/10/2023