January 17, 2026 9:50 a.m.
Association of O&C Counties Executive Director Doug Robertson and AOCC Board President, Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman say recent Congressional passage of the FY26 Interior Appropriations Bill represents one of, if not the most significant achievements and highest priorities for O&C counites in the last 44 years.
An AOCC release said this action upholds a promise made by the 1937 O&C Act. The organization is extremely appreciative of the bipartisan leadership in Congress that helped push this historic action across the finish line. The legislation corrects revisions made in 1982 and returns O&C counties to 75 percent of shared timber receipts from O&C lands. This will ultimately be reflected by a 50 percent increase of the current revenue share for O&C counties on an annual basis.
The organization said the additional revenue created by this update could not come at a more critical time for counties as they face continued strains on their budgets with rising inflation, rising costs and the reduction of other revenue streams. This will help counties to maintain the critical services they provide, such as public safety, senior services, veteran services and other vital public services.
Robertson said, “Having worked on O&C timber management for the last 40 years, this action marks one of the most significant achievements of that work. I would like to recognize my board of directors and executive board for this support and engagement. The ability of our federal delegation to understand the importance of this issue was imperative and I am appreciative of the action they have taken to help counties in this very difficult time”.
Freeman said, “The Association of O&C Counties has been advocating for the proper management of O&C lands since 1925. Our association believes in the promise of the 1937 O&C Act and the productivity of our unique timber lands. I am incredibly pleased Congress recognized this important promise and relationship between county government and the management of federal O&C timberlands”.
For more information on the AOCC, go to: www.oandc.org