Wyden, Merkley, Announce Over $52M in PILT Payments for Oregon

Oregon counties will receive more than $52 million in federal Payments in Lieu of Taxes, or PILT, funding for 2026.

The announcement came from Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden this week.

“Rural communities shouldn’t have to wonder if they will have the resources they need to pay for essential services and infrastructure,” Merkley said. “PILT funds schools, firefighters, law enforcement, and road construction, I’ll keep working to fully fund PILT so communities and families across Oregon have the resources they need to thrive.”

“At a time when local budgets throughout Oregon are tight, it’s more important than ever to provide these federal investments that support public education, public safety and transportation statewide,” said Wyden. “I’m glad these resources are heading to make our state an even better place to live and work, and I’ll keep battling both to protect and to strengthen this lifeline.”

PILT Is Based On Federal Lands In A County

The annual payments help offset lost property tax revenue in counties where large amounts of land are owned by the federal government and can't be taxed.

The funding helps support essential local services, including schools, law enforcement, fire protection and road maintenance. PILT payments are based on the amount of federal land within a county and its population. The program covers lands managed by agencies including the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Here is a breakdown of 2026 PILT payments by Oregon county:

Oregon County	2026 Payments	Total Acres of Federal Land
Baker	$2,249,689	1,016,405
Benton	$250,092	74,430
Clackamas	$1,362,698	617,455
Clatsop	$8,331	1,585
Columbia	$38,883	10,961
Coos	$823,730	244,071
Crook	$3,244,729	940,423
Curry	$1,992,401	687,737
Deschutes	$4,328,454	1,444,878
Douglas	$4,066,076	1,659,962
Gilliam	$160,160	45,757
Grant	$1,311,810	1,779,063
Harney	$1,473,387	4,462,615
Hood River	$585,240	205,855
Jackson	$2,966,898	909,696
Jefferson	$969,739	305,317
Josephine	$2,333,835	714,226
Klamath	$4,475,350	2,232,638
Lake	$1,562,681	3,692,647
Lane	$3,573,364	1,738,095
Lincoln	$546,158	192,982
Linn	$1,547,459	561,487
Malheur	$3,749,431	4,299,181
Marion	$624,145	226,094
Morrow	$512,050	150,971
Multnomah	$237,543	82,322
Polk	$148,682	41,984
Sherman	$203,763	57,726
Tillamook	$413,592	136,490
Umatilla	$1,425,156	420,343
Union	$2,112,039	624,214
Wallowa	$1,497,560	1,171,213
Wasco	$655,759	220,075
Washington	$49,563	13,972
Wheeler	$327,061	302,080
Yamhill	$188,514	58,758
Total	$52,016,022	31,344,708