Medford, OR – In his first few hours back in office, President Donald Trump issued a series of executive orders aimed at expanding fossil fuel production, mining on federal land, and rolling back environmental regulations. This swift action, while expected, has raised concerns among state leaders in Oregon, where federal land accounts for more than half of the state’s territory, including 60% of its forests. The federal government controls more than 32 million acres in Oregon, an area larger than the state of Kentucky, and is a significant source of funding for environmental conservation and land management programs.
Governor Tina Kotek, alongside her natural resources advisor, Geoff Huntington, and other environmental agency heads, is preparing for a challenging period ahead. Oregon’s leadership has been planning for the return of the Trump administration, which has previously clashed with the state’s environmental priorities. Despite these concerns, Kotek and Huntington have expressed hope for collaboration but are also bracing for potential conflicts.
“We’re going to make our voice heard, and we’re going to figure out what is the right channel for us to participate to ensure that the pathway taken by the federal government in land management in Oregon comports with our expectations,” Huntington said.
A key concern for Oregon’s environmental leaders is ensuring that Trump’s administration honors past commitments, especially agreements made under the previous administration. Huntington pointed to ongoing initiatives like the Columbia River Basin Initiative, a major effort aimed at salmon restoration and clean energy production. This initiative, which was signed into law after years of litigation over the Endangered Species Act and tribal treaty rights, is a top priority for Oregon, Washington, and four Columbia Basin tribes.
“Regardless of the administration in power, we expect the federal government to fulfill its commitments,” Huntington emphasized, referring to previous agreements that were designed to protect the region’s endangered species and improve environmental conditions.
Kotek echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of holding the federal government accountable for past promises. “I hope the new administration doesn’t do any harm. I expect the federal government to stay true to the commitments they’ve made,” Kotek said.
As a precautionary measure, Oregon has finalized several important reviews with federal agencies in the final weeks of the Biden administration. These reviews focus on projects related to solar energy siting, sage grouse habitat protection, and wildlife management in Oregon’s southern regions and national monuments. By finalizing these reviews, Kotek aims to ensure that Oregon’s priorities are considered in any future federal policies or actions that could impact the state.
“This isn’t just an Oregon thing. Western governors and states are looking for more flexibility and greater ability to partner with the federal government on land management,” Kotek noted, underscoring the collective efforts of states in the western U.S. to maintain influence in federal land management decisions.
Oregon’s environmental agencies, led by figures like Leah Feldon, director of the Department of Environmental Quality, are also monitoring potential shifts in federal policy. Feldon’s team is keeping a close eye on any proposed changes that might conflict with state laws, particularly those that affect clean air and water standards. Under Oregon’s House Bill 2250, the state is required to evaluate any federal environmental changes to ensure they don’t weaken existing protections.
“Agency leadership is already working to identify programs and funding streams that should be watched closely,” Feldon explained. The state has a significant stake in ensuring that federal initiatives, including those funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, align with its environmental goals.
Similarly, Vicki Walker, director of the Department of State Lands, is focused on protecting Oregon’s state regulations from federal overreach. She is particularly concerned about any shifts that could threaten ongoing partnerships with federal agencies, such as those with NOAA, which funds critical research and conservation work in areas like the South Slough Reserve near Coos Bay.
“Federal efforts on Oregon lands or waters that disregard state regulations threaten not only our natural resources, but also our longstanding relationships with federal partners,” Walker said.
While Oregon’s leaders are hopeful for cooperation, they are not ruling out legal action if necessary. During the last Trump administration, Oregon filed over 16 lawsuits challenging various federal policies, though none were directly related to land management or environmental health. Huntington acknowledged that lawsuits remain a possibility, but said the state would first seek to resolve conflicts through dialogue and collaboration.
“We’re not going to take that off the table,” Huntington said. “If things don’t align with our values, we will take action.”
Kotek shared a similar sentiment, taking a cautious wait-and-see approach while preparing for the possibility of legal challenges. “We’ll fight back if there are things that don’t align with our values,” Kotek stated. “But these are very long, complex conversations. It’ll be an interesting four years, let me just say that.”
As the Trump administration begins its second term, Oregon’s environmental agencies and state leaders remain on high alert, ready to protect the state’s natural resources while navigating what could be a contentious four years of federal policy shifts. With a commitment to preserving Oregon’s environmental integrity and securing past federal promises, the state is determined to ensure its values are reflected in any future land management decisions.