Oregon Wildlife Habitat Conservation and Management Program (Special Assessment) (WHCMP)

A property tax special assessment for landowners who keep or restore native wildlife habitat on farm-, mixed farm/forest- or forest-zoned land in participating counties. The land is taxed at the low farm or forest use value even when it is managed for habitat instead of, or as well as, farming or timber. A cooperating agency (ODFW, NRCS, SWCD, watershed council, land trust, Extension and others) helps write the habitat plan, which ODFW approves.

• "If you are a landowner in a participating county you may be eligible." Participating counties are listed by ODFW watershed district (e.g., E. Columbia, Washington, Multnomah, Clackamas, Marion, Yamhill, Benton, Polk, E. Lane, West Columbia, western Lane, Douglas, Deschutes, Sherman, Hood River, Lake, Morrow, Wheeler).

• "To qualify for a wildlife habitat special property tax assessment, the property must be zoned exclusive farm use, mixed farm and forest use or forest use."

• "your property must meet both the statewide criteria and the appropriate District Watershed criteria, and you must find a cooperating agency that is willing to advocate for your project, help you write the plan, and provide technical assistance."

• "ODFW staff may choose to limit the number of plans approved each year due to workload constraints"

"Annually self-report your actions and compliance with the program prior to April 1. Non-compliance may result in disqualification from the program and the landowner may be liable for back taxes (ORS 308A.703)."

Published amounts: "land subject to an approved wildlife habitat conservation and management plan receives a wildlife habitat special assessment, where property taxes are assessed at the relatively low value that would apply if the land were being farmed or used for commercial forestry."

Have the county/city planning department or assessor complete the Zoning Eligibility Certification Form; secure a cooperating agency; the agency assesses the property and meets with ODFW district staff; "The landowner must submit the completed application and habitat plan to ODFW for review." Then "To apply for wildlife habitat special assessment the landowner must submit the appropriate application to their local county assessor."

Deadline text on the page: "Applications must be submitted by April 1 for the tax year for which special assessment is desired, for a habitat plan that was approved prior to January 1." Annual self-report due before April 1.