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Downloadable file: DC BOC

DOUGLAS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 16, 2020

Douglas County Commissioner Freeman Re-Elected to Fifth Term as President of the Association of O&C Counties (AOCC)

(Douglas County, Ore) – Douglas County is pleased to announce that Commissioner Tim Freeman has been re-elected for his fifth term as the President of the Association of O&C Counties (AOCC).  The AOCC unanimously re-elected its leaders for 2021 at the AOCC annual virtual meeting held on Friday, December 11, 2020.  In addition to Commissioner Freeman, Polk County Commissioner, Craig Pope was re-elected as Secretary/Treasurer and Coos County Commissioner, Bob Main was re-elected as Vice President. 

“I am honored by my re-election and sincerely appreciate the continued support of the members of the AOCC, who trust me in leading this crucially important work.” Freeman said. “Together with my colleagues and the staff at AOCC, we will continue to work hard to secure solutions to manage our unique congressional designated lands.”

AOCC represents the O&C lands in 18 western Oregon counties, the 18 counties host 2.1 million acres of O&C timberlands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). AOCC advocates for sustained yield management of O&C lands, as required by federal law under the O&C Act, to protect and support jobs and local economies, county services, and healthy timber land. 

During its annual meeting, AOCC members discussed court victories affirming that the 1937 O&C Act requires all 2.1 million acres of O&C timberlands under jurisdiction of the BLM to be managed for sustained yield timber production. As well as the federal judge’s ruling that the Bureau of Land Management’s 2016 Resource Management Plans violated the O&C Act.  AOCC also supports the reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, as well as a long-term solution for federal payments to O&C counties.

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ContactTamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist (PIO)

(541) 670-2804 cell - (541) 957-4896 office - tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

About Douglas County

Douglas County Government employs approximately 800 full- and part-time employees in a wide variety of jobs. The Board of Commissioners, consisting of three full-time members, is the county’s governing body. They provide a direct link between the citizens of Douglas County and their county government. The Board of Commissioners is responsible for: approving ordinances (county laws); adopting the county budget; setting standards for the use of county property; appointing non-elected officials to boards, commissions, and committees; and oversees all operations of the county.

About AOCC

AOCC represents Counties in Western Oregon that host 2.1 million acres of timberlands once privately owned as part of a grant in exchange for construction of a railroad in the late 1800s, but that were returned to federal ownership in 1916. The AOCC has been active in all legislation and all administrative actions regarding the management of these lands for the last 90 years—a testament to the importance of these lands to the health and well-being of our communities.

Contact Info:
Tamara Howell, Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County, (541)670-2804 cell/(541)957-4896 - tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us