Oregon Department Of State Lands

The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) is the administrative agency of the State Land Board, Oregon's longest-serving board. The act of Congress admitting Oregon to the Union in 1859 granted nearly 3.4 million acres of the new state's land "for the use of schools." The State Land Board was established by the Oregon Constitution to oversee those school lands and the Common School Fund. The Land Board has been composed of the Governor, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer throughout its history. On behalf of the Land Board, DSL manages Oregon's 775,000 remaining acres of school lands and other resources that contribute revenue to the Common School Fund, as well as Oregon's public waterways. Over time, the Oregon Legislature has expanded DSL's responsibilities. Today, the Department's work includes protection of wetlands and waters of the state and serving as the state partner for South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Department's mission is to ensure Oregon's school land legacy and protect wetlands and waterways of the State through superior stewardship and service.