Parks Commission Approves UAS Rules And Grant Proposals
- 04/27/26
SALEM, Oregon— The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission approved several grant recommendations and rule updates, including use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in parks and along the ocean shore, at its April 22, 2026, virtual meeting.
OPRD will implement the UAS rules over the coming months to clarify where UAS operations will be allowed in state parks. UAS operations will only be allowed in designated park properties.
In addition, the commission acted on several other rules including:
- Adopted temporary rules for Public Improvement contracting. This will allow projects to continue moving forward this summer while permanent rules are developed.
- Approved opening rulemaking for changes to the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program.
- Denied a petition to open rulemaking to change the extra vehicle fee rule for motorhomes. This petition requested rules be opened to allow motorhomes to bring a non-towed extra vehicle at no charge. Commissioners found a continued need for the rule and determined circumstances have not changed sufficiently to warrant consideration of a new rule.
The commission approved the following grant recommendations:
- Recreation Trails Program: 17 grants totaling $2,065,768 (federal grant program administered by OPRD, represent portion of fuel tax for non-highway recreational use).
- Land and Water Conservation Fund: 10 grants totaling $8,942,865 (federal grant program administered by OPRD, funding from oil and gas leases in coastal waters).
Additional items included:
- Confirming appointments to Audit and ATV committees.
- Approving legislative concepts to propose for the 2027 legislative session.
- Providing informational updates on real estate matters including potential purchase of Abiqua Falls properties, a property near Minam and an easement in the Blue Mountains for the Boardman to Hemingway project.
The next commission meeting will be held virtually June 9 and 10, 2026. The full agenda packet is online.
To watch the April commission meeting or any others, visit OPRD’s YouTube page and find supporting documents on the commission webpage.
The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission promotes outdoor recreation and heritage by establishing policies, adopting rules and setting the budget for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The seven members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. They serve four-year terms and meet several times a year virtually or at locations across the state.
Parks Commission Approves UAS Rules And Grant Proposals
- 04/27/26
SALEM, Oregon— The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission approved several grant recommendations and rule updates, including use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in parks and along the ocean shore, at its April 22, 2026, virtual meeting.
OPRD will implement the UAS rules over the coming months to clarify where UAS operations will be allowed in state parks. UAS operations will only be allowed in designated park properties.
In addition, the commission acted on several other rules including:
- Adopted temporary rules for Public Improvement contracting. This will allow projects to continue moving forward this summer while permanent rules are developed.
- Approved opening rulemaking for changes to the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program.
- Denied a petition to open rulemaking to change the extra vehicle fee rule for motorhomes. This petition requested rules be opened to allow motorhomes to bring a non-towed extra vehicle at no charge. Commissioners found a continued need for the rule and determined circumstances have not changed sufficiently to warrant consideration of a new rule.
The commission approved the following grant recommendations:
- Recreation Trails Program: 17 grants totaling $2,065,768 (federal grant program administered by OPRD, represent portion of fuel tax for non-highway recreational use).
- Land and Water Conservation Fund: 10 grants totaling $8,942,865 (federal grant program administered by OPRD, funding from oil and gas leases in coastal waters).
Additional items included:
- Confirming appointments to Audit and ATV committees.
- Approving legislative concepts to propose for the 2027 legislative session.
- Providing informational updates on real estate matters including potential purchase of Abiqua Falls properties, a property near Minam and an easement in the Blue Mountains for the Boardman to Hemingway project.
The next commission meeting will be held virtually June 9 and 10, 2026. The full agenda packet is online.
To watch the April commission meeting or any others, visit OPRD’s YouTube page and find supporting documents on the commission webpage.
The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission promotes outdoor recreation and heritage by establishing policies, adopting rules and setting the budget for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The seven members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. They serve four-year terms and meet several times a year virtually or at locations across the state.
