In a tough legislative session, the Department of State Lands was fortunate to secure a budget that will continue our core programs: building the Common School Fund, regulating Oregon's public waters, and administering the state's unclaimed property and estate laws.

The Governor's Balanced Budget for the department did not propose significant changes to the current budget and programs, and the end result was relatively positive in the current fiscal environment: our $42,406,994 two-year budget is about $1.8 million less than the 2009-11 biennial budget, and reflects a slight reduction in the number of positions (108).

Several pieces of legislation will affect DSL programs and services, including those that regulate state waterways and govern removal-fill permit procedures.