Wheeler SWCD

08/25/2026

Wheeler County Producer Meetings will be held in Mitchell (09/09/2026) and Fossil (09/10/2026) at 6pm hosted by Wheeler SWCD and USDA staff with additional partners and resources attending.

Dinner will be provided, so RSVP is requested but not required. Click the link below to RSVP or contact Cassi directly.

https://forms.gle/8quTcYVf5eC3BvA67

07/27/2026

Thank you to our RFPAs, neighbors, friends, and all the agencies who have been helping us the past couple-few weeks as wildfire ravages our county once again. The chaos has slowed, but isn't over!
Thank you to our partners and landowners for their patience while Wheeler SWCD has been providing fire line and resource support across the county.

07/24/2026

For people affected by, or helping with, the Gilliam and Wheeler County fires -- please choose the survey below that best fits your situation, and complete/submit.

Once you've selected a survey that is relevant to you -- you can scan the corresponding QR code to open the survey on a phone or mobile device... or... you can use the short URL below each QR code to type into a computer browser URL bar.

07/21/2026

07/20/2026

07/14/2026

Oregon Lumber Grading Program

Most construction lumber for homebuilding in Oregon is assessed for suitability for structural purposes following procedures outlined in the US Department of Commerce’s Voluntary Product Standard 20-20, the American Softwood Lumber Standard. The result of following these procedures is typically the application of a grade stamp (also known as a grademark) being applied to the lumber. Oregon building codes require that load-bearing lumber used in structures be grademarked by an accredited lumber grading agency.

Although there are sawmill operations throughout the state, much of the sawing infrastructure has consolidated such that there are areas of the state with few remaining sawmills. There are numerous small enterprises that do not operate at the scale necessary to cover the costs of membership with an accredited lumber grading agency.

In recognition of these circumstances, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 1061, “the Oregon Forests to Homes Act.” The act establishes a lumber grading training and certificate program applicable to 1- and 2-family residential construction in Oregon. The bill was signed into law by Governor Kotek on July 31, 2025.

The Oregon Lumber Grading program (OLG) described here has been developed by the Oregon State University Forestry & Natural Resources Extension Program in consultation with Oregon’s Department of Consumer and Business Services’ Building Codes Division.

The Oregon Lumber Grading program is an alternative lumber certification system for Oregon softwood lumber. It is intended to allow, under limited circumstances, structural uses of local-use lumber in home construction where the residential building code would otherwise require grademark lumber. OLG lumber is closely aligned with and expected to have similar performance capabilities as grademark lumber of a corresponding grade and species.

OLG lumber has standards and requirements for certifying the species, grade, moisture content and size of the lumber. These standards generally resemble industry practices, with certain adaptations for applicability to individuals and small- to medium-sized sawmill businesses in Oregon.

This OLG program and accompanying training addresses program authorities and responsibilities, product traceability when the lumber is sold, species allowed for use under the program, standards for nomenclature and measurement of the product, and requirements for additional physical attributes which have implications on structural characteristics of lumber, such as moisture content, surface conditions, and size.

The Oregon State University Extension Service is the administrator of the Oregon Lumber Grading program including providing the certification training, technical assistance and supplemental education.

The workshops will be 8 am to 5 pm.
October 5th (session 1) and 6th (session 2), 2026, La Grande
October 8th (session 1 FULL) and 9th (session 2), 2026, Roseburg

BackgroundMost construction lumber for homebuilding in Oregon is assessed for suitability for structural purposes following procedures outlined in the US Department of Commerce’s Voluntary Product Standard 20-20, the American Softwood Lumber Standard. The result of following these procedures is ty...

06/24/2026

Recieved from BLM and passing along to local public who may be interested in providing input...

Dear John Day River Community,

The BLM Central Oregon Field Office is seeking public input on two proposals that aim to improve recreation access, safety, and resource protection along the John Day River.

What is being proposed?

Boater Permit Adjustments: Updates to the Wild and Scenic River boater permit system between Service Creek and Tumwater Falls to improve fairness, reduce congestion, and support river protection. This includes updated stay limits, improvements to how permits are released, and limited advanced reservations for Recreation Service Providers. These ideas build on public feedback and system assessments. Follow this link to review the proposal: https://eplanning.blm.gov/Project-Home/?id=67b4df5a-676e-f111-ab0d-001dd804183b

Special Recreation Permit (SRP) Process: A consistent, phased approach for issuing SRPs, used for guided trips and organized group activities, to gradually return to historic SRP numbers and better meet service needs along the river corridor. Follow this link to review the proposal: https://eplanning.blm.gov/Project-Home/?id=30c9812f-b969-f111-a824-001dd8084607

Together, these proposals support long-term goals for improving visitor experience and protecting John Day River values.

How to comment
The BLM is in the information gathering phase, and your feedback will help refine these proposals. Please send comments by

July 24, 2026 to:

BLM Central Oregon Field Office Manager
3050 NE Third Street
Prineville, OR 97754
or email: [email protected]

Comments are most useful if they are specific to particular actions, provide additional information about the project area, or identify issues or concerns with the proposal.

Individual respondents may request confidentiality. If you wish to withhold your name or street address from public review or from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your written comment. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowed by law. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public inspection in their entirety.

If you would like to remain on the mailing list for this project, please return comments or send a request to remain on the mailing list; otherwise, this will be the last correspondence regarding this project. Your interest in the management of public lands is appreciated, and we encourage your participation during this public scoping process. If you have any questions about the project please contact Monica Morin, Outdoor Recreation Planner at (541) 416-6718 or [email protected].

Thank you for your interest and for helping shape the future of recreation on the John Day River!


John Day River Staff
BLM Central Oregon Field Office
3050 NE 3rd Street
Prineville, OR 97754
[email protected]

The Bureau of Land Management National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Register allows you to review and comment on plans and project documents. Search by office, NEPA number, Project name, year, and project type.

06/16/2026

🔥🌲ODF - Central Oregon District will be entering into Regulated Use Closure and moving into a Fire Danger Rating of “High” beginning TODAY, June 16th at 00:01 a.m..
Photos include the “Regulated Use Closure” proclamation.

Please reach out to ODF if you have any questions.
Oregon Department of Forestry
John Day Unit
541-575-1139 (Office)

04/14/2026

$85,000 obo
Located approximately 11 miles west of Spray, Oregon

Delivered on January 20, 2026 but never set up on property due to permitting restrictions.

Delivered on January 20, 2026 but never set up on property due to permitting restrictions.

04/11/2026

Thank you to Wheeler County Sheriff's Office, Wheeler County Fire & Rescue, Spray Fire Department, and Fossil Fire Department for the landowner assist controlled burn today! A tiptoe closer to our goal of a conservation community center.