Oregon State Parks Commission approves $11M grants for recreational parks
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission held a virtual meeting on April 22 where it approved several grant recommendations totaling over $11 million and adopted new rules for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or UAS, operations. The commission also denied a petition seeking to change the extra vehicle fee rule for motorhomes.
The approved rules will clarify where UAS operations are permitted in state parks and along the ocean shore.
The commission's actions include implementing clearer guidelines for drone usage within state park properties, restricting operations to designated areas. The substantial grant approvals will support various recreational and conservation initiatives across Oregon, drawing from federal programs administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, or OPRD.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will implement the new UAS rules over the coming months. These rules specify that UAS operations will only be allowed in designated park properties.
In other actions, the commission adopted temporary rules for Public Improvement contracting. This measure will allow ongoing projects to continue through the summer while permanent rules are still under development.
The commission also approved opening rulemaking for changes to the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program.
Commissioners denied a petition that requested changes to the extra vehicle fee rule for motorhomes. The petition sought to allow motorhomes to bring a non-towed extra vehicle at no charge. The commission found a continued need for the existing rule and determined that circumstances had not sufficiently changed to warrant consideration of a new rule.
Under the Recreation Trails Program, 17 grants were approved, totaling $2,065,768. This is a federal grant program administered by OPRD and the funding represents a portion of fuel tax designated for non-highway recreational use.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund saw the approval of 10 grants, amounting to $8,942,865. This is another federal grant program administered by OPRD, with funding sourced from oil and gas leases in coastal waters.
Additional items addressed by the commission included confirming appointments to its Audit and ATV committees. They also approved legislative concepts to propose for the 2027 legislative session and received informational updates on various real estate matters. These updates covered the potential purchase of properties near Abiqua Falls, a property near Minam and an easement in the Blue Mountains for the Boardman to Hemingway project.
The next Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission meeting is scheduled to be held virtually on June 9 and 10, 2026. The full agenda packet for the upcoming meeting is available online.
