Washington, D.C. — Republican Congressman Cliff Bentz has introduced new federal legislation that would significantly reshape how more than two million acres of Oregon & California (O&C) lands are managed, seeking to restore timber production as the primary purpose of those forests while increasing revenues for rural counties.
Bentz announced the proposal on Tuesday in a statement provided to the Prineville Review, introducing the O&C Renewal Act of 2026, a bill designed to amend the original 1937 Oregon and California Lands Act. The legislation would explicitly clarify that sustained-yield timber production is the primary purpose of O&C lands, reversing decades of federal policy shifts that have reduced logging levels across western Oregon.
“For decades, O&C counties depended on responsible timber harvests to fund schools, roads, and essential services,” Bentz said. “Following the listing of the spotted owl and years of federal delays, these lands have become overgrown and neglected. This bill restores the clear intent of the 1937 law — that O&C lands are to be managed for sustained timber production that benefits rural communities while reducing wildfire risk.”
O&C lands, which are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), were originally designated by Congress to support timber production and generate revenue for counties. Over time, however, federal management priorities shifted toward habitat conservation and other environmental protections, resulting in substantial reductions in allowable harvest levels.
Supporters of Bentz’s proposal argue that current management practices have contributed to declining timber supplies, mill closures, and financial challenges for counties historically reliant on timber receipts.
“The O&C Lands are some of the most productive forestlands in the world, and they were set aside by Congress to be actively managed for the benefit of local communities,” said Travis Joseph, president of the American Forest Resource Council. “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.”
County officials also expressed support for the measure, emphasizing the financial implications for local governments.
“The Association of O&C Counties thanks Congressman Bentz for introducing this bill,” said Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman, president of the Association of O&C Counties. “We believe the legislation clarifies the historical intent of the 1937 O&C Act … and look forward to this bill becoming law to help the Bureau of Land Management manage these lands reasonably and responsibly under the principles of sustained yield.”
Crook County Commissioner Seth Crawford spoke with the Prineville Review earlier today and also expressed his support for the bill.
“I think the federal government has needed for years to increase timber production on federal forest lands,” said Crawford. “I appreciate Congressman Bentz’s efforts towards that goal.”
According to Bentz’s office, the legislation would direct the BLM to modernize and finalize new Resource Management Plans within two years. The bill would also formally include O&C counties as cooperating agencies in the planning process and maintain existing cooperative wildfire protection agreements with the State of Oregon.
The proposal comes amid ongoing debates over federal forest management, wildfire risk, and economic conditions in Oregon’s rural timber communities.
Bentz’s office contends that existing management plans effectively place roughly 80 percent of O&C lands off-limits to sustained-yield timber production — a condition the congressman argues has contributed to reduced timber supply, declining county revenues, and increased wildfire concerns.
If adopted, the O&C Renewal Act would represent one of the most significant proposed changes to O&C land management policy in decades.
The bill’s introduction marks the beginning of what is expected to be a closely watched legislative process, likely to draw both support from timber-dependent communities and scrutiny from environmental organizations concerned about habitat and ecosystem impacts.
Mr. Alderman is an investigative journalist specializing in government transparency, non-profit accountability, consumer protection, and is a subject matter expert on Oregon’s public records and meetings laws. As a former U.S. Army Military Police Officer, he brings a disciplined investigative approach to his reporting that has frequently exposed ethics violations, financial mismanagement, and transparency failures by public officials and agencies.
 lands are managed){kind=link}