Opal Creek Wilderness Economic Grant Program

In 2020 the Santiam Canyon communities were devastated by the impacts of the Beachie Creek & Lionshead fires, burning 193,573 and 204,469 acres respectively. These fires caused unimaginable damage to the tight-knit communities already dealing with the unique development challenges of the Santiam Canyon. After the 2020 wildfires, the Santiam Canyon community began the long and arduous process of rebuilding. The goal of this program is to provide funding to the State of Oregon to establish an economic development grant program to help rural communities in the North Santiam Canyon as authorized in the Opal Creek Wilderness Act.