Land Conservation and Development Commission Initiates Rulemaking for Areas of Cultural Significance
Seeks Volunteers to Serve on Rules Advisory Committee
On November 2, 2023, the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) directed Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) staff to begin rulemaking for Goal 5 cultural areas. While statewide land use planning Goal 5 lists cultural areas as important resources in Oregon, Oregon Administrative Rules currently do not provide specific direction of how to consider these types of areas in Oregon communities.
“This is long overdue” said LCDC Commissioner Gerard Sandoval at the November 2 hearing where commissioners voted to initiate the rulemaking.
The commission’s charge directed staff to work with Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) members to develop a definition for this resource category, and to develop recommendations to identify, avoid, preserve or mitigate impacts from development to significant resource sites. A new division 23 rule will work in tandem with existing state laws protecting archaeological objects and sites.
DLCD is currently recruiting members for a RAC to advise agency staff in drafting recommended rules. Staff expect the RAC to meet four to five times in three-hour meetings during 2024.
DLCD also plans to convene a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The TAC will advise DLCD staff on laws and rules governing the treatment of archaeological sites and systems for preserving the confidentiality of known sites.
DLCD is currently accepting applications from interested Oregonians to serve on the Goal 5 Cultural Areas RAC or TAC. Applications will be accepted through midnight on December 22, 2023.
For more information on the charge to the RAC, please see information on DLCD’s website here. RAC and TAC meeting summaries will be posted on the project webpage.
Stay Informed
LCDC will hold a public hearing when the RAC presents a recommended draft for consideration.
For substantive questions about the rulemaking, or if you are interested in being interviewed as a stakeholder, please contact Natural Resources Specialist Amanda Punton at amanda.punton@dlcd.oregon.gov or phone at 971-718-3245.
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