(1) An owner of land described in ORS § 308A.415 that seeks special assessment under ORS § 308A.403 to 308A.430 shall first submit a proposed wildlife habitat conservation and management plan to the State Department of Fish and Wildlife for review.

(2) The department shall review each submitted plan for compliance with the standards set forth in the rules adopted pursuant to ORS § 308A.409 (1).

(3) Upon completing a review of a proposed plan and determining that the plan is in compliance with the standards set forth in the rules adopted pursuant to ORS § 308A.409 (1), the department shall issue to the landowner a written declaration that the land is subject to a wildlife habitat conservation and management plan approved by the department.

(4) The State Fish and Wildlife Commission may by rule:

(a) Establish a limit on the number of plans that may be approved in each calendar year.

(b) Delegate technical assistance, plan review and inspection of lands to cooperating agencies.

(5) For any calendar year, the department may specify priorities for plan approval based on regional conservation needs, priority habitat types or parcel characteristics and functionality. [2003 c.539 § 6; 2023 c.409 § 2]