Commissioners highlight Juniper funding in HB 3135, say local allocation could aid cleanup
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Summary
Commissioner raised HB 3135 funding to address juniper removal; the bill moved from an earlier file to 3135 and the county’s expected allocation was cited as about $585,000 of a roughly $5.2 million package.
Commissioner Dyer and county staff discussed a juniper removal funding measure now identified as HB 3135 and told the board it could bring meaningful local money for vegetation management.
Dyer described the total package as roughly $5.2 million statewide and said Deschutes County’s share could be about $585,000. “That could make such a difference for all those people that are contacting me now that really need some help in cleaning up their property,” Dyer said, noting public‑health and allergy concerns tied to juniper proliferation.
County legislative staff said the funding began in an earlier bill (SB 3078, later moved to HB 3135) and that the county’s delegation worked on language. Doug Riggs noted a dash‑1 amendment and said the vice chair of the natural resources subcommittee, Emerson Levy, was well‑positioned to advance funding.
Why it matters: County officials said the funding could support private land cleanup and reduce nuisance and allergy impacts in Central Oregon. Commissioners said previous county positions on the bill were supportive and no immediate new action was required.
Ending: Staff signaled continued monitoring; commissioners accepted the update and noted they had previously signaled support.