This project will help stop the spread of a serious tree disease called sudden OAK death (SOD) in southwest oregon

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) awarded the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) a $400,000 Cooperative Agreement under the Good Neighbor Authority (CFDA 15.015) effective September 19, 2025, with a completion date of September 18, 2030. Under this agreement, ODF will collaborate with BLM to implement forest health and disease management services to control the spread of Sudden Oak Death (SOD) in southwest Oregon. Primary deliverables include surveillance and confirmation of SOD infections, treatment area demarcation, removal and controlled burning of infected tanoak trees and associated vegetation, herbicide application to prevent regrowth, and preventive removal of trees in adjacent areas to contain disease spread. ODF will maintain mapping and database systems documenting disease occurrence and treatment locations, and will file regular progress reports to BLM.

In addition to on-the-ground treatment activities, ODF will deliver public education and outreach products in coordination with federal partners including the USDA Forest Service, Oregon State University, and local communities. These educational efforts will build public capacity to recognize and report SOD infections. The agreement benefits forests and wildlife habitat by preventing disease-related habitat loss, protects local communities from wildfire risk associated with dead trees, and supports the economic viability of timber workers, farmers, and nursery operators dependent on healthy forest resources.

Activities

Watch for signs of the disease and confirm infections mark treatment areas where infected tanoak trees are found cut down and burn infected trees and plants like tanoak and rhododendron inject trees with herbicide before cutting to stop them from growing back and remove trees in nearby areas to stop the disease from spreading. They will also: keep maps and databases showing where the disease is found and where treatments happen share updates with landowners and partners and work with other groups like the USDA forest service, oregon state university, and local communities to teach people how to spot the disease.expected deliverables: treated areas where infected trees have been safely removed report to BLM about how the work is going and public education and outreach to help more people recognize and report SOD.

Intended beneficiaries

Forests and wildlife, which will be protected from disease and habitat loss local communities, who will be safer from wildfires caused by dead trees farmers, timber workers, and nursery owners, who depend on healthy trees for their jobs the BLM and ODF, who are responsible for keeping public lands healthy and the public, who benefit from clean water, safe forests, and a strong local economy.