Opal Creek Promise Grant

Since the Upper North Santiam Canyon was designated as the Opal Creek Wilderness and Scenic Recreation Area in 1996, the community has worked tirelessly to get  economic support for local communities. After nearly three decades:

The United States Forest Service is now delivering on its promise to give the Santiam Canyon community $15 million to invest in economic growth and prosperity. This is an exciting and promising opportunity to keep working together for community-led recovery.

There is a long history on Opal Creek in the North Santiam Canyon, spanning nearly three decades. Look through the timeline below to follow the story of the Opal Creek Promise:

$3 million has now been earmarked for the Santiam Rail Trail and community planning. That work is underway. In the next few months the County will decide how to spend the remaining $12 million. This funding can be spent on projects owned and operated by government agencies or non-profit community organizations on:

The eligible area for the Opal Creek Promise Grant is the 670 square mile area lying within Marion and Linn Counties above River Mile 37. This encompasses the communities of Lyons, Mill City, Gates, Detroit, and Idanha, as well as smaller communities like Mehama, Breitenbush, Niagara, Elkhorn, Fox Valley, and Marion Forks.

Marion County is determined to use the Opal Creek Promise Grant funding for recovery and economic growth in the Canyon. We want to hear what matters most to you and how the County can work to direct these funds to where they are needed most.

The Marion County Commissioners are excited to review the responses to the survey to understand what is important to residents and people who care about the Opal Creek Wilderness and the North Santiam Canyon. They will develop an Implementation Plan for the $12 million federal funding by Summer 2024.