(a) Assist the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board with the development of rules for the administration of programs under ORS 541.977 to 541.989;

(b) Adopt rules establishing three or more permissible terms of years, that are not less than 20 or more than 50 years, for working land conservation covenants formed under ORS 541.982;

(c) Recommend policies and priorities for use by the board in evaluating the farm or ranch values, and the fish or wildlife habitat, water quality or other natural resource values, on working land described in a grant application filed under ORS 541.981 or 541.982;

(d) Review and consider the recommendations of technical committees appointed under ORS 541.984;

(e) Consult with the board concerning grant applications;

(f) Provide conservation management plan, working land conservation covenant and working land conservation easement funding recommendations to the board based on the availability of funding from the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Fund; and

(g) Provide funding recommendations to the Legislative Assembly, or recommendations for grant funding to the board, to provide training and support to owners of working land, or persons advising owners of working land, regarding succession planning for the lands.

(2) The commission’s recommendations for funding under subsection (1)(g) of this section may include recommendations for funding succession planning programs through the Oregon State University Extension Service only if the university has presented the commission with a program proposal for review. If a commission recommendation for funding succession planning programs through the university extension service is adopted, the university shall provide the commission with an annual report regarding each program. [2017 c.716 §10]

Note: See note under 541.977.